
Originally Posted by
MuscleInk
Allaaro,
I hear this all too often that it not only concerns me but shows me that people really do NOT spend enough time understanding the effects of manipulating hormones with steroids. While I will agree that taking too much of an AI can have undesirable and potentially harmful effects, there are far greater concerns than gyno or bloating with elevated E2. With increasing estrogen, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, and strokes become a significant risk. Does this mean every person with high estrogen levels is at risk for these? No, but without a complete medical hx (which we never have with members here) its simply not possible to know who is at risk and how significant that risk may be. Moreover, strokes, heart attacks, and DVTs are often asymptomatic, yet deadly.
It would be foolish IMO for someone to manipulate their natural hormones and assume they don't need an AI unless they are symptomatic. It creates an unnecessary risk. I will also agree the the optimal level of E2 will vary from person to person but I believe it is careless to assume one can avoid an AI unless there are clinical presentations of high estrogen. There is simply no way of knowing, a priori, what the optimal level of E2 would be for each person.
Routine BW would be create for keeping E2 in check, but the reality is, most people don't have routine BW due to cost, insurance, access, convenience, or any other factor.