Posted by MarkinBoston on November 16, 2000, at 14:46:35
In reply to SJWort CRF Re: get a testosterone level check » MarkinBoston, posted by Maniz on November 16, 2000, at 12:50:14
> One of the supposed modes of action of St. John´s Wort is that it acts by modulating the levels of corticotrophin releasing factor by its direct action on interleukin 6 (IL-6).
>
> "Maybe" SWJ "could" modulate cortisol.
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> DHEA is used for depression, but I can not remeber if it has any effect (lowering) on cortisol.Lowering cortisol is a good thing and will indirectly restore testosterone levels - survival drive (cortisol) takes precidence over sex drive (testosterone).
Yeah, there are studies showing that DHEA and increased testosterone levels do reduce depression in men. The downside is that it can be a bumpy ride. Supplimenting testosterone or any of its over the counter precursors like DHEA will result in additional aromatization of testosterone into estrogens which is associated with heightened cortisol response to stress (ie panic), weepiness, low self worth, depression, and other PMS-like symptoms. Ideally, you want to take a small dose of an anti-aromatse like Arimidex to block most of the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Men need some estrogen to maintain healthy HDL (good) cholesterol levels so too much Arimidex isn't good either. Have the blood levels checked before and during treatment. Three readings are often called for because labs screw up (pick a lab and stick with it because there are differences between them) and your own variances. Time of day matters too, with the highest levels being in the morning for most hormones, and midnight being the lowest. Testosterone will be about 30% lower at 4pm than 8am, so if your blood draw is in the morning, you could be "low-normal", while if it were at 4:30PM, you'd be below normal and less chance that the HMO would question need for treatment.
My experience with taking a prohormone suppliment with chrysin (an anti-aromatase suppliment) was that I felt no different after one day, and really depressed on the second. I stopped taking them then, and after the third day, I was back to normal. My guess was the pro-hormone worked and the chrysin didn't do its part. I didn't run out for a blood test to see for sure, much less feeling like even wanting to get out of bed or the house.
What I've been on for the last 6-8 weeks has been 5g Androgel bid (1% testosterone gel) delivering 10mg/day + 20mg Ritalin 1x morning + 100mg Serzone @6-8pm + 1 Dyazide AM (diuretic anti-hypertensive). My t went from 250 to 875 and E2 went from 55 to 110. My E2 (estrodiol) was high-normal to begin with and too high now, which I'm going to try again to convince my MD to treat with Arimidex (1/2 tab EOD). I feel better - good enough to return to the gym, have put on muscle, and lost 20 lbs too. Despite the AMA having once claimed that anabolic steroids don't increase muscle mass, they were wrong. No more sexual difficulties other than low libido, which is how I will present to my MD in hopes of justifying getting my E2 down into the normal range, with a hint of also reducing the risk of gynomastia. Finding an endocrinologist that knows mens' health and psyc interactions seems as hard as finding a Dr. Jensen - near impossible and frustrating.
poster:MarkinBoston
thread:48591
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/48913.html