Anyone experience Low Estradiol levels?

[polly56]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced managing low estrogen levels. I'm 35, I've ran 3 cycles in the past - this was over 7 years ago. I recently had some concerns about low testosterone levels- Low energy, anxiety, low libido and ED.

Blood work showed:

SHGB 31nmol/L
test bioavailable 9 nmol/L
Free test 386 pmol/L
test 17.8 nmol/L

Estradiol <40 pmol/L

received a referral to see an endocrinologist, wait list to see him is 10 months.

If anyone has any experience or feedback please let me know.

Thanks

[Cylon357]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced managing low estrogen levels. I'm 35, I've ran 3 cycles in the past - this was over 7 years ago. I recently had some concerns about low testosterone levels- Low energy, anxiety, low libido and ED.

Blood work showed:

SHGB 31nmol/L
test bioavailable 9 nmol/L
Free test 386 pmol/L
test 17.8 nmol/L

Estradiol <40 pmol/L

received a referral to see an endocrinologist, wait list to see him is 10 months.

If anyone has any experience or feedback please let me know.

Thanks

It's a good idea to include ranges with your bloodwork numbers.

There are a couple of observations I can make though.

That does not look like the sensitive estradiol test. Men need the sensitive one.

That estradiol number doesn't tell me anything. Less than 40... OK, how much les than 40? Is it 39 or is it 3? That's a pretty big range - towards the upper end isn't likely a problem, towards the lower end is.

See if you can retest and get the estradiol sensitive test.

Also be aware that in general, test and estrogen will stay in line with each other, in the absence of exogenous drugs altering that relationship.

[polly56]

ok - These are the ranges...

SHGB 31nmol/L 10-70 nmol/L
test bioavailable 9 nmol/L 3.6- 11.2 nnmol/L
Free test 386 pmol/L 196- 636 pmol/L
test 17.8 nmol/L 8.4 - 28.8 nmol/L

Estradiol <40 <162

Yes, unfortunately I didn't get the sensitive one.

Thanks

[Cylon357]

ok - These are the ranges...

SHGB 31nmol/L 10-70 nmol/L
test bioavailable 9 nmol/L 3.6- 11.2 nnmol/L
Free test 386 pmol/L 196- 636 pmol/L
test 17.8 nmol/L 8.4 - 28.8 nmol/L

Estradiol <40 <162

Yes, unfortunately I didn't get the sensitive one.

Thanks

Your numbers look kind of middle of the road. Could you benefit from TRT? Eh, yeah, assuming you are done having kids, then yeah.

Note that what we talk about as TRT on this board is typically more like "hormone optimization", not vanilla TRT. What I mean is we tend to look at the big picture, not just a number or two, and then maximize our pros and minimize our cons across the board. This is why you will see the recommendations for different blood work, etc

[polly56]

Good info, thank you

With my blood work, do you think its normal to experience ED?
Do you think I'm experiencing ED due to my past experience using AAS?

Thanks,

[Cylon357]

Good info, thank you

With my blood work, do you think its normal to experience ED?
Do you think I'm experiencing ED due to my past experience using AAS?

Thanks,

I don't know on the first question. We need a legit estrogen reading to know. Estrogen controls the male libido to a large degree, finding the sweet spot can be tricky but it's doable in time.

Second question, eh, probably not. That was 7 years ago.

I would say re-run some blood work. Make sure to get the following (in addition to what you have):
DHT
Thyroid panel
CBC
Lipid panel

It would be nice to see what is going on here. Is the root of your issue physiological or psychological? Thyroid issues can masquerade as low t issues, as can low DHT. Are you on a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride, maybe?

[almostgone]

I don't know on the first question. We need a legit estrogen reading to know. Estrogen controls the male libido to a large degree, finding the sweet spot can be tricky but it's doable in time.

Second question, eh, probably not. That was 7 years ago.

I would say re-run some blood work. Make sure to get the following (in addition to what you have):
DHT
Thyroid panel
CBC
Lipid panel

It would be nice to see what is going on here. Is the root of your issue physiological or psychological? Thyroid issues can masquerade as low t issues, as can low DHT. Are you on a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride, maybe?

I'll second what Cylon posted, especially the DHT.

[Cylon357]

Oh and BTW, OP to answer the original question: yes, a lot of us have experienced low estrogen, typically by over usage of AI and / or compounds with estrogen control properties. I DEFINITELY have. To be honest, it kind of sucks but hasn't been QUITE as bad for me as the picture is painted, though it isn't a cake walk. Mind you that people do respond differently so I absolutely do not want to paint the picture that low e is fun.

That said, in my case, it has typically been one of those things that kind of creeps up over the course of 4 to 6 weeks or so. About 6 weeks ago, I tanked my estrogen (3 on the estradiol sensitive scale) but it took a while to do it. I kind of noticed libido not being great, and kind of lacking motivation. Got the bloods, saw the number, dropped the compounds causing issues. Within 2 to 3 weeks, I was ready to shag a hole in a cinder block wall. Now, not as much, so I'm still trying to dial in my protocol and numbers. It's the long game that counts in TRT.

[Cylon357]

I'll second what Cylon posted, especially the DHT.

Man, that one gets overlooked way too often.

[polly56]

Appreciate the feedback gentlemen.

Had blood work reviewed by the doc, everything appears to be normal. I should say 'what he believes to be normal' it was an online endocrinologist.

I'd be curious to see what my DHT levels and E2 levels are. Wasn't able to get these checked.

I'm debating on running some TestE while I wait another 7 months for my referral to go through. The referral I received is for Dr. Komer, I've heard amazing things about this guy. My friend just finished a consult with him. Dr. Komer plans to prescribe him something for 4 months that will bring his levels back to normal.

[kelkel]

I was ready to shag a hole in a cinder block wall.

Lego block walls don't count.....

[kelkel]

Why does it take so long to see an endo?Where are you located?

[Cylon357]

Lego block walls don't count.....

In Florida, all walls are cinder block walls!

[polly56]

Canada just outside of Toronto

[polly56]

another follow up question- I noticed my bioavailable testosterone is higher on the scale( 9 nmol/L normal range- 3.6- 11.2 nnmol/L) in comparison to myfree and total. what does this mean exactly? is there anyway to utilize the benefits of having higher bio available test.

I'm currently not running anything.

Im training and planning- I might run a Test E and anavar cycle.

thx

[kelkel]

Bioavailable T is just your free t combined with weakly bound T (bound to albumin).