Very high SHBG (~100) is a persistent problem for me. In addition to Boron, I’ve experimented with Danazol and Oxandrolone, and both have effectively lowered my SHBG – especially Anavar, which (at 50 mg EOD) knocked it all the way down to 28.
This is good.
However, each SHBG-lowering drug I’ve used has had major adverse effects on my other biomarkers. For example, use of Anavar led to very poor lipid and liver/kidney values.
Some doctors say “you just overcome high SHBG with more T,” but that hasn’t worked for me.
Has anyone found, either through their own experience or reading someone else’s, a (seemingly) healthy approach to using an SHBG-lowering drug, perhaps at a low dose? Ideally, I’d find a long-term solution.
Sorry no help here, opposite problem (although high carbs might help), just wanted to say good to see you posting again, hope you’re doing well? You ever get round to a good bulk?
Thanks, brother! I’ve been living life largely offline, but I like it here, so I want to come back occasionally. Bumping up my carbs has indeed helped a bit with SHBG in the past. Hasn’t made too big a difference, though.
I’ve been on a slow bulk for a year, and it’s gone well! I’m up to 190 and maintaining roughly the same BF. Gonna keep milking this thing until I’m hanging around 200.
Why are you interested in reducing SHBG? Like Dr. Crisler said, you play it where it lies.
The advice to overcome high SHBG with more T relates to achieving whatever free T you want to have by adding more T. In that sense, the advice works 100% of the time.
I feel really good here, bro, far better than I thought I would. In the past year I’ve put on about 7 lbs. muscle and 3 of fat. Very pleased with that ratio!
Glad to hear it. Life can feel crazy but we gotta remember to enjoy the ride
You still think that holds true if you’ve gotta push TT up above 3,000 to achieve a desirable FT? I know we don’t have long-term data to really answer, but it seems risky to me.
I do. As a fellow high SHBG guy (not as high as you), I have taken a great interest in the debates around total testosterone vs free testosterone and I am convinced that SHBG-bound testosterone is basically inert. While there is some limited research suggesting SHBG can ferry testosterone to certain cells, studies of actual humans have shown symptoms correlate strongly with free T, and only weakly with total T (to the extent that Total T correlates with free T). Anecdotal evidence also bears this out.
IMO Total T and SHBG are just a distraction – you dial in your T dose so your Free T and your symptoms are where you want them and then let it ride. If that produces an eye-popping Total T value, it is what it is. I think @highpull would tell you the same thing.
