Dealing with low Free T

[Gunk]

I have been taking low dose of Finasteride 0.62mg/day to combat male pattern baldness.
My DHT is currently at 27 (30-85)

I have been taking low dose of Arimidex 0.25 mg/every 4 days. to keep E2 under control due to more potential aromatase activity with less DHT and more Total T.
E2 is at 15.1 (10-35) and Total T is at 839 (348-1197).

My free T is at 12.9 (8.7-25.1)

I am new to understanding how horomones work but I have been trying to research everything I can. I have come here to hopefully find some direct conversation on the subject as the exact protocol that I am using does not seem to be very common on the internet.

Obviously, I am trying to enjoy the best of both worlds... low DHT to halt hair loss with low E2 to for better fat loss and less water retention and high free T to enable optimal muscle growth.

From what I've read so far, it would seem that my SHBG must be high and binding to my T and thus giving me the lower free T that I don't like.

I've read about Stinging Nettle and other herbs that supposedly bind to SHBG and therefore allow more free T to be bioavailable but I've seen conflicting research on this with some stating it does nothing to free up T.

I've also read some say that Aromasin has some ability to lower SHBG, so I'm considering to replace the A-dex with that.

I don't have a blood test to verify my speculated high SHBG, sorry.

I am not running any anabolics.

I'm looking for any feedback on this scenario. Is it impossible to manipulate my hormones to get the desired outcome I'm looking for?... low DHT, low E2, and high Free T



Thanks

 

[Gunk]

Ok. I just assumed that because it was in the lower part of the range. I admit I don't know much in this area but I'm trying to learn. I assume that to increase my potential for muscle growth I would want to try and get my free T in the higher part of the range.

A few stats for me:

38 yrs old
10-12% body fat
been lifting off and on for 10 years but have been consistent the last 2 years.

 

[Gunk]

Your total T is great for your age. Typically you want your free T to fall in 1-2% of total T, yours is just slightly over 1.5%.

Yes, typically higher free T is better, the amount of change you're talking about is unlikely to show any results, at least IMO.

Ok, thank you for that input.

I guess I've been feeling like gains are coming quite slowly and am growing impatient. I feel like I have my diet and training on point and am looking to see if there are hormonal reasons that are slowing me down.

I was suspect of my thyroid being less than optimal because of low body temps and difficulty losing abdominal fat. I started taking iodoral (iodine supplement) and I saw my body temps go up and fat metabolism seemed to get much better as well. The following pics were taken 6 weeks apart from each other with no change in training or diet other than starting to take iodoral.



Interestingly, when I had my thyroid tested recently, my free T3 is still in the lower end of the range 2.5 (2.0-4.4) with a less than optimal TSH 4.86 (0.45-4.5). Free T4 is at 1.47 (0.82-1.77)

I'm just throwing that thyroid info out there in case someone thinks my slowed muscle gains could be due to thyroid performance.

 

[Gunk]

Typically you want your free T to fall in 1-2% of total T, yours is just slightly over 1.5%.

Yes, typically higher free T is better, the amount of change you're talking about is unlikely to show any results, at least IMO.

Do you happen to know about a person's free T % changing when they do a cycle of say Test Enanthate 500mg/week?

If free T being 1-2% of TT is good, does that percentage go up a bunch when Total T is over 2000?

 

[Gunk]

I'm feeling fine, I changed my Adex dosage a bit when that test came back. So, it's probably a bit higher now.

 

[RickRock]

I think that you are overanalyzing and overthinking everything. I don't see anything indicative from your levels on anything that could be a viable reason for why you aren't getting the results you are after. The likely culprit if you are at a plateau I something that needs changed in either diet and/or your training. Gains and results take time, and you must always be. Willing to adapt and change things to keep progress moving forward


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