Originally Posted by
Jelisej
Bill, from brains/body's point of view Estrogens are much more important than testosterone, and estrogens have more effect on neurotransmitters than for example testosterone. When hippotalamus senses that estrogen levels are insufficient it ramps up LH production from which testost. and estrogens (via aromatase) are made. Lh stimulates production of aromatase as well, (HCG does the same thing), endos say that aromatase also gets stored in fat tissue and as person tries to loses weight it relases and it makes job more difficult. Also reduced testicles functionality leads to more aromatisation.
Now, some endos said that there are other pathways of making estrogens, I dont know much about that; this is part of Dr Marianco's post: "In some men, the body may compensate by increasing production of estradiol via alternative pathways when its production via the aromatase enzyme is reduced excessively. Thus there may be a ceiling in reducing estradiol after which the body uses other pathways to produce estrogen. Also other estrogens may be produced when estradiol is reduced excessively. One can't also reduce estradiol excessively before the liver compensates by increasing cholesterol production."
part of certain hormones and their "signaling" to brain I dont understand to the point I could give any explanations; again part of Marianco's post:The sensitivity of each male to estradiol's effects will vary with the levels of other hormones, signals, and metabolic-nutritional status. For example, the estrogen signal, itself, may need adequate progesterone to stimulate the production of estrogen receptors. If hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal dysregulation is present, the estrogen signal is attenuated and symptoms of low estrogen may occur at higher levels. Additionally, thyroid hormone levels increase SHBG levels. The higher the SHBG, the higher the estradiol but less is free to function. Thus the estradiol signal is reduced despite the higher level. Once the other signal and metabolic-nutritional problems are addressed and signaling optimized in the other systems, the male may not have as large a negative effect from estradiol as prior to addressing the other problems first.
personaly, I think this signaling is just a fancy way of expaining things like: Changing one signal (as in testosterone) causes multiple downstream signaling changes in other systems. As long as one is ready to make the adjustments to thyroid hormone signaling and other signaling systems with TRT (such as estrogen signaling, adrenal signaling, nervous system, immune system, metabolism, nutrition, etc.), then one can avoid some complications with TRT, such as anxiety, fatigue, hypertension, insomnia, body aches, etc.
He could in other words say like: Testosterone downregulates thyroid releasing hormone production. In both cases we dont know what is mechanism of action, how does testosterone changes signaling of TRH or how test. downregulates TRH...
How long does aromatase "hang around"? Excellent question on which I never heard an meaningful answer. I would say its active life is long one, but it does have an end- for example people using non-sucidal (non-steroidal, reversible) AI like arimidex after a months of usage after they stop it experience "rebound effect" as lot of aromatase gets released (from arimidex) so their E2 goes high meaning that aromatase half-life is longer than arimidex's but I guess that lot of aromatse got "expired" otherwise their E2 levels would be even higher.
When crashing E2 one does not always have to have strong symptoms, obviously there would be some libido loss and erection quality loss (but if DHT is high eq may still be good enough altough "sensation" will be poor) and there would be some other effect on mood (estrogens stimulate serotonin a lot).
Worst thing with low estrogen is that it results in weak bones, and you cannot tell that until they start breaking.
As when one is on anabolics SHBG will be reduced (sometimes virtualy to zero) and in that cirmcustances less E2 is needed to do biological action (free estrogen- same as with free testosterone).
If using compounds that aromatise a lot one can use AI to try to control E2 as best as possible, in opposite scenario one can add DHEA as most of excessive DHEA will convert to estrogen. Tough side is that lot of DHEA may reduce ACTH signal which may reduce cortisol levels which is not really wanted.
But thing is any AAS cycle will affect endocrine system as whole and if any segment of it does not recover properly it will pose a problem some time in future. Adrenals will affect estrogen and tt levels, and thyroid levels. Thyroid will affect adrenals and sex hormones, sex hormone will affect adrenals and thyroid... So its hard to see bigger picture...
Don know if thats answer is what you asked for, you may ask again if I missed something, but mind you I'm just a random guy, not an expert...