Anti-aromatase / Anti-E / Estrogen Reducers
Not sure if anyone can help out with this topic, but here goes...
I'm a "former lifter" (age 53) trying to get back into the fitness game after some major time off due to a couple of neck/disc surgeries - and then being diagnosed a few months ago as hypogonadal and put on AndroGel (first 5 grm packet daily and now bumped up to 7.5 grm packet daily).
This physiological dosage of T has helped noticeably, but still having problems with overall energy, mild depression, lowered libido (but obviously better than the "Zero" leveel that I had before), and motivation. My research shows me that there might be a problem with a good portion of the supplemented T being converted to E (specifically E2) via the aromatase process. Not to where the E2 is completely "out of control", but sufficiently enough to raise the E2 out of the optimal range (which would probably also reduce Free T down from its optimal range also).
With local docs and endos who simply won't order full-range testing, my first question is this: How accurate are the marketed saliva tests for aspects such as E2 and Free T?
Next question deals with the various compounds that are Anti-aromatase / Anti-E / Estrogen Reducers.... I realize that most postings deal with these compounds from the viewpoint of PCT, but what about a situation like the one outlined above, where the testosterone is being submitted externally and the concern is with keeping E2 levels from getting above an optimal range?
In reading thru hypogonadism forums, there seems to be a strong focus (by those who can manage to get a doc to prescribe it) towards Arimidex... but I notice also that even with the greatly reduced doses of the Arimidex, that most of the users on those forums have a lot of difficulty with keeping E2 levels from getting too low as well as too high. Seems to be a constant yo-yo effect (with the users feeling lousy at either end of the spectrum - too much or too little).
So what products would be good to control E2 levels (should one's testing - saliva possibly - confirm a too high level)?
Would 6-OXO or formestane be reasonable (i.e., effective and cost-effective) options? Are either PH products that are going to end up getting banned? For somewhat milder purposes such as this, are products such as DIM, Chrysin, or even soy isoflavones, etc., worth considering (thinking back to Dr. Shippen's book at this point).
Thanks for any possible information you might have - or be able to point me towards....
LRS