What's the downside of taking an AI?

**2Sox** · 12-02-2013, 07:43 PM

I've read many posts recommending NOT to take an AI unless necessary. This seems to be good advice. Why take any medication unless is it necessary.

It seems many knowledgeable members have at various times warned against taking them. This has come up so often, I started to wonder. Other than the above explanation, what harm would taking an AI do? I've looked up the "side effects" of the AI I take - anastrozole. Other than the various innocuous side effects you can find on the label of practically any medication, there seems to be no long term side effects. Can someone tell us why taking an AI is not advisable?

**kelkel** · 12-02-2013, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by 2Sox

I've read many posts recommending NOT to take an AI unless necessary. This seems to be good advice. Why take any medication unless is it necessary.

It seems many knowledgeable members have at various times warned against taking them. This has come up so often, I started to wonder. Other than the above explanation, what harm would taking an AI do? I've looked up the "side effects" of the AI I take - anastrozole. Other than the various innocuous side effects you can find on the label of practically any medication, there seems to be no long term side effects. Can someone tell us why taking an AI is not advisable?

You answered it yourself! Most studies have been done with women and have been long term (5 years or so) and do not really relate to men due to various factors. Studies related to long term usage in men is just not prevalent, yet.

Here's a good read:

The what, why and how of aromatase inhibitors: hormonal agents for treatment and prevention of breast cancer

**2Sox** · 12-02-2013, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

You answered it yourself! Most studies have been done with women and have been long term (5 years or so) and do not really relate to men due to various factors. Studies related to long term usage in men is just not prevalent, yet.

Here's a good read:

The what, why and how of aromatase inhibitors: hormonal agents for treatment and prevention of breast cancer

Forty three pages. I'm going to curl up with this next the the fire tonight. ;-)

Damn. I've tried to get away with not taking anastrozole but couldn't get away from it. Taking DIM, copper and zinc daily along with the AI. Could be my present protocol is causing more aromatization and it could be my age. I've heard that older men aromatize more. Is this correct?

Protocol at present: 250iu hCG , EOD. 36mg Test C, EOD. That takes me to an average of 875iu hCG and 126mg Test every 7 days. I'm doing fine with this, but perhaps I should cut back. Suggestions?

**2Sox** · 12-02-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by 2Sox

Forty three pages. I'm going to curl up with this next the the fire tonight. ;-)

Damn. I've tried to get away with not taking anastrozole but couldn't get away from it. Taking DIM, copper and zinc daily along with the AI. Could be my present protocol is causing more aromatization and it could be my age. I've heard that older men aromatize more. Is this correct?

Protocol at present: 250iu hCG, EOD. 36mg Test C, EOD. That takes me to an average of 875iu hCG and 126mg Test every 7 days. I'm doing fine with this, but perhaps I should cut back. Suggestions?

BTW, I only take .26mg anastrozole E3D.

**LFH40** · 12-02-2013, 09:01 PM

If you take an AI, do you drop the zinc and DIM out of the repertoire?

**w8liftr** · 12-02-2013, 09:32 PM

This might help;

Sorry but that link breaks our board rules...

Matt

**dreadnok89** · 12-03-2013, 07:16 AM

[QUOTE=w8liftr;6748798]This might help;

Cool article but it doesn't apply to me or Sox! Lol . The problem with ai is that people crash all the time! Constantly crashing or running low has terrible side effects however if you need an air because your producing too much I don't see a big deal.

If mine goes over 50 I get bloated and tired and my joints get stiff. 50 or higher can not be good for me 17 to 30 I feel the best.

**2Sox** · 12-03-2013, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by LFH40

If you take an AI, do you drop the zinc and DIM out of the repertoire?

I would imagine that all depends on the individual. As I noted, I take an AI along with DIM, zinc and copper. I'm 66 and I likely aromatase more readily than younger men - even though I am relatively thin; 5'6", 150lbs, average. If I don't take my .26mg anastrozole on the third evening, I start getting fatigue, brain fog and the rest. I take it in the evenings because I can then avoid the slight tiredness I get from the dose. I'm already sleeping! I'm due for blood work this week but my numbers so far have been pretty good.

**kelkel** · 12-03-2013, 03:18 PM

Aromatase inhibitors in men: effects and therapeutic options

**2Sox** · 12-03-2013, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Aromatase inhibitors in men: effects and therapeutic options

Thanks, Kel. I started it a little while ago. Very good reading.

**gatornate97** · 12-03-2013, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the read, Kel

**kelkel** · 12-03-2013, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by 2Sox

Thanks, Kel. I started it a little while ago. Very good reading.

No worries. I spend way too much time on those type sites.......snore.

**2Sox** · 12-04-2013, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

No worries. I spend way too much time on those type sites.......snore.

So much for the erroneous idea that testicular produced estradiol doesn't circulate in the bloodstream:

The total estradiol production rate in the human male has been estimated to be 35-45 μg (0.130-0.165 μmol) per day, of which approximately 20% is directly produced by the testes [13,14]. Roughly 60% of circulating estradiol is derived from direct testicular secretion or from conversion of testicular androgens.

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