I had 895ng/dL in December 2019 and that was when I wasn’t doing any exercise or supplements at all. Yet I still had PFS symptoms. Don’t worry about hormone numbers, they are almost useless. Pfs must be a receptor issue.
One mustn't forget, however, that to regulate libido, DHT is also needed. If anything, high testosterone (outside the ranges) is a sign that the testosterone is not being 5-alpha reduced into DHT.
If one wants to use blood tests for PFS, they are useful for identifying issues with enzymes, i.e. high progesterone means that type 1 5 alpha reductase is not being converted to 5a-DHP and then to allopreganolone, high DHEA means type 3 5 alpha reductase is not being converted to androsterone etc.
Other than that though blood tests can be a little weird.
True, for instance my DHT was about normal, near 55, but that's not proportionate to the testosterone at all. But still, you're looking at a non-hormonal issue there, you're talking about microcellular organs like receptors and enzymes. I never really cared for hormone levels. They mean nothing. I've had moments where my T was probably super lower, like when I tore my shoulder and was sedentary, and I didn't notice any change in my symptoms.
Total Male Optimization "People who say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt those that are doing it"
I think it's more complicated than people give think. If it was just a case of making people more sensitive to androgens, then doing steroid cycles would cure people, since following steroid use, androgen receptors are upregulated, however it's true that if anything, people are worse after a steroid cycle.
With GABA receptors, it's obvious, however, that the lack of allopreganolone is the reason for upregulated GABA receptors i.e. the body is searching for more GABA agonists/ modulators to go back into homeostasis, which of course there aren't. That's also why pretty much everyone recovers their mental sides, albeit temporarily, while on 5a-DHP.
I also wanted to know your advice on Zuranolone actually @Cdsnuts. It's designed to replicate allopregnanolone, and if it's released, could prove extremely beneficial as an addition to the regimen.
Of course it is....but at the same time, the reason for it is not.
I was simply stating that you are less sensitive to hormones while in a pfs state, regardless of mechanism. I agree with everything else you're saying.
It could be.....but then again it would depend on the way it's designed. Because it's a pharmaceutical, unfortunately it will always come with a price to pay. Pharmaceuticals are really, really good at making the body incapable of working without them once they sink their hooks in. I most likely would not recommend it during the protocol.
Total Male Optimization "People who say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt those that are doing it"