Posted by dave_fox on July 29, 2001, at 6:13:38
In reply to Re: Is estrogen helpful? - testosterone Dave, posted by Gracie2 on July 28, 2001, at 19:10:26
Hi Grace2
Thanks for your reply. I thought it was interesting.
> Oh, no way would I claim to be any kind of expert
> on hormones. (I just read a lot.)Oh! I do hope I haven't aid something which makes you need to be slightly defensive! < g >
It is interesting to read another set of ideas about testosterone supplementation. You are quite right to point out that the precursors to T can be valuable. There is also the mode of administration to consider as different routes of the same supplement can be important (eg dermal patches or injection. And different rates of administration are important too as the body has its own rhythms which need to be respected. (T release is pulsatile.)
It has been remarked that testosterone is one of those supplements which has some of the largest range of types (or esters) which can lead to considerable confusion. Also there is the aromatization to estrogen by peripheral tissues has been well covered many times here by MarkinBoston and this is another important factor and is sometimes related to mode of administration.
> The only reason I recommended the book is because
> it does make one aware of just how complicated
> endocrinology is, or in other words, how confusing
> and potentially dangerous it can be for the uninformed
> to use steroids or even prohormone supplements
> (which he calls "T-boosters"), now legally available OTC.Yes, I do agree. And as Oscar Wilde once said, “I am not young enough to know everything”. < s > In the same way, a little knowledge can be very misleading in this field and I do worry that the popular texts are promoting a gospel which is far from proven. Do take a look at the link I posted in my earlier message for an example of this http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/320/7238/858
One of the better books I have come across on the subject is called TESTOSTERONE edited by Nieschlag & Behre (publ. Springer). I would caution you that here in the UK this is an expensive volume and costs about £60 (approx $100) and much of its content is deep and rather recondite endocrine biochemistry. However, it is written by leading authorities and whatever can be gleaned from it can be taken as being very well-considered.
> Sorry if this is too much information! I thought the
> book was fascinating.Not at all too much! Thanks for the info.
Dave
poster:dave_fox
thread:71815
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/72329.html