Lowering SHBG to Increase Free T -- Treatment Options?

[Garbanzo Dude]

Very Interesting.....My TRT Doctor mentioned "he has seen some client's lower SHBG with Danazol, Anavar and Proviron" But flat out told me he would not prescribe these durgs as the "they have a bad rap with the AMA or medical community"

I've always had high SHBG- I think it has to do with those years of hard drinking in my 20's and I have Mild Ulcerative Colitis.......Im 41 now and rarely drink.....UC is under control, but I know high SHBG correlates with high inflammation.

I'm currently on my 12th week of TRT and my last test showed Total Test going down slightly from previous blood test.

So I have read a few times here that 1x per week injection will keep SHBG lower vs. 2x per week. Does anyone know where I can find or reference these studies??


Also has anyone had any luck with Oat Extract or Boron supplements??

[bkb333]

So, I had a bunch more bloodwork done yesterday. I haven't received the results yet, but the doctor just called and said I had high DHEA-S and she thinks this is likely causing my issues. Anyone have experience with this?

Also, she said my SHBG was slightly lower this time around (167) but obviously still super high.

[wellshii]

Did you read the link I put on my first post?
It was the dudes adrenals,so looks like we found the problem man.
You need to get your cortisol checked and have your adrenals checked.
Havnt had experience with this myself , but I'll link that thread again for reference,
Skyhigh SHBG Levels - WHY?! | Page 3 | All Things Male Forum

[bkb333]

Did you read the link I put on my first post?
It was the dudes adrenals,so looks like we found the problem man.
You need to get your cortisol checked and have your adrenals checked.
Havnt had experience with this myself , but I'll link that thread again for reference,

I skimmed this thread when you previously sent it, but just gave it a thorough read. Really interesting. Thank you for sharing! I would not be surprised if I found out my adrenals were f***ed as well. Possibly a low cortisol issue? I'm seeing two different endos in the coming weeks. What tests do you think I should ask for? Just 24-hour 4-point saliva test?

Based on my current understanding of thyroid/hormones, it seems TRT may not be the solution -- correct? It seems to me it would be kind of like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound (trying to fix high SHBG when that's actually a byproduct of a bigger issue).

[Youthful55guy]

I skimmed this thread when you previously sent it, but just gave it a thorough read. Really interesting. Thank you for sharing! I would not be surprised if I found out my adrenals were f***ed as well. Possibly a low cortisol issue? I'm seeing two different endos in the coming weeks. What tests do you think I should ask for? Just 24-hour 4-point saliva test?

Based on my current understanding of thyroid/hormones, it seems TRT may not be the solution -- correct? It seems to me it would be kind of like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound (trying to fix high SHBG when that's actually a byproduct of a bigger issue).

I agree that searching for a root cause before treating symptoms is always the best approach. Particularly in your extreme case. Those are very high SHBG levels. I read through that string that wellshii posted and did not get much out of it. A lot of guys with a lot of opinions. However, I do question whether the high DHEA and high SHBG are just serendipitous. Perhaps there is a common link to the adrenals. Keep us informed of your progress. I'm interested in seeing where you take this.

[Youthful55guy]

Very Interesting.....My TRT Doctor mentioned "he has seen some client's lower SHBG with Danazol, Anavar and Proviron" But flat out told me he would not prescribe these durgs as the "they have a bad rap with the AMA or medical community"

I've always had high SHBG- I think it has to do with those years of hard drinking in my 20's and I have Mild Ulcerative Colitis.......Im 41 now and rarely drink.....UC is under control, but I know high SHBG correlates with high inflammation.

I'm currently on my 12th week of TRT and my last test showed Total Test going down slightly from previous blood test.

So I have read a few times here that 1x per week injection will keep SHBG lower vs. 2x per week. Does anyone know where I can find or reference these studies??


Also has anyone had any luck with Oat Extract or Boron supplements??

To my knowledge, there is no research supporting that statement. My guess is that it's gym lore and probably has no basis in research. I simply don't believe it. Dosing weekly goes contrary to my general philosophy of TRT, which is to prevent the rollercoaster ride with smaller and more frequent dosing. That should control E better and we suspect that high E is one of the factors will drive up SHBG (though I have no references for this).

The drugs you mention have a bad rap with the AMA because they are prone to anabolic steroid abuse. Whenever you misuse drugs, the side-effects go up. Bodybuilders often use 40-100 mg of Winstrol or Anavar per day to achieve their desired effect. At that level, there is MUCH research showing that liver damage is inevitable. That is the main reason they cycle it to allow repair of the damage. My experience is that for SHBG lowering effects you need much small doses (in the 5-10 mg per day range). My experience also shows that my liver labs generally stay within normal when I dose at these low rates. It's only when I add other OTC analgesics to the mix where my liver labs go out of range.

[bkb333]

Based on what I've read, I echo what Youthful55guy said about Winstrol. Nothing to be concerned about as long as you control your dose.

Youthful55guy, any thoughts on my doc's DHEA-S comment?

[Youthful55guy]

Based on what I've read, I echo what Youthful55guy said about Winstrol. Nothing to be concerned about as long as you control your dose.

Youthful55guy, any thoughts on my doc's DHEA-S comment?

I doubt that DHEA has anything to do with SHBG, but I have no references to document that. What is your dose? I do 25mg per day but I don't monitor my DHEA levels. Given that you are high, I would suggest you lower it to get it in range, but again I doubt it will affect SHBG.

[bkb333]

I doubt that DHEA has anything to do with SHBG, but I have no references to document that. What is your dose? I do 25mg per day but I don't monitor my DHEA levels. Given that you are high, I would suggest you lower it to get it in range, but again I doubt it will affect SHBG.

I actually just started taking DHEA -- I had not previously.

[Garbanzo Dude]

To my knowledge, there is no research supporting that statement. My guess is that it's gym lore and probably has no basis in research. I simply don't believe it. Dosing weekly goes contrary to my general philosophy of TRT, which is to prevent the rollercoaster ride with smaller and more frequent dosing. That should control E better and we suspect that high E is one of the factors will drive up SHBG (though I have no references for this).

The drugs you mention have a bad rap with the AMA because they are prone to anabolic steroid abuse. Whenever you misuse drugs, the side-effects go up. Bodybuilders often use 40-100 mg of Winstrol or Anavar per day to achieve their desired effect. At that level, there is MUCH research showing that liver damage is inevitable. That is the main reason they cycle it to allow repair of the damage. My experience is that for SHBG lowering effects you need much small doses (in the 5-10 mg per day range). My experience also shows that my liver labs generally stay within normal when I dose at these low rates. It's only when I add other OTC analgesics to the mix where my liver labs go out of range.

Thanks man.....I would keep coming across the comment "1x per would keep SHBG lower vs. 2x per week" but could never find a studies or even a member showing labs to prove this. Totally agree orals or AA being abused gets a bad rap. I may go to a new TRT doc, I've heard he's willing to prescribe Anavar at 5-10mg- if not might order some Proviron from a friend in Europe, I hear its easily available there.

[Youthful55guy]

Thanks man.....I would keep coming across the comment "1x per would keep SHBG lower vs. 2x per week" but could never find a studies or even a member showing labs to prove this. Totally agree orals or AA being abused gets a bad rap. I may go to a new TRT doc, I've heard he's willing to prescribe Anavar at 5-10mg- if not might order some Proviron from a friend in Europe, I hear its easily available there.

I've not done a lot of research into Proviron (Mesterolone). Perhaps I will this weekend to at least get a handle on it's cost compared to Winstrol (stanozolole), my drug of choice.

From what (little) I know, it does not lower SHBG, but rather blocks it with a very strong binding affinity to SHBG. This means that you can't depend on measuring SHBG levels as and indicator of effectiveness. You have to monitor free or bioavailable T.

It also has a low potential for negative feedback, so you may (or may not) need TRT with low doses. It also seems to have an anti-estrogen effect, so you'll need to monitor E levels if you are already taking an AI to make sure that does not go too low.

I also seem to remember that it has a very low potential for liver toxicity, so that gives it a leg up on Winstrol and Anavar, but as I've mentioned numerous times, I monitor liver enzymes closely and they are not a problem with the very low doses of Winstrol that I use (2.5 mg 2X/day).