I recently purchased some letrozole to deal with some pretty bad pubertal gyno (Im 20). Before this I can safely say I have had low testosterone for quite some time but not to the point where I would need to go to a doctor(All speculation since no bloodwork). I smoked marijuana for quite some time and lived a very sedentary lifestyle.
I started the letro about 3-4 months ago on low doses (1.25mg E3D) and the next few weeks it felt like I could of been on steroids. I put on 15kgs (altough BF% has also increased a fair bit as my hunger exploded and pigged out too much. estimate close to 10kg would be lean gains). I had strong erections, lifting weights in the gym felt amazing(compounds went up about 30kg each), I needed less sleep with vivid dreams, nocturnal erections and long lasting morning wood and I felt very confident/aggressive.
Although the great feeling has slightly subsided, for the most part it’s still there. I feel great. I’m considering getting a blood test but I’m not sure how useful it will be as I have nothing to compare it to.
After doing some research I found a few info sources and anecdotes on using letro for TRT but there is still very little on it’s use for TRT
So I have a few questions.
Do the effects of letrozole diminish over time? Will i need to keep upping my dose?
Is LH desensitization possible?
Are there any known instances of people running AI’s for long periods of time in men? What are the long term side effects?
How long would you recommend running it?
Why isn’t it used more commonly? Am I probably just an anomaly with high E2?
I have some clomid on hand too, is it possible to run it alongside letrozole on low doses? Or is it not worth it if i’m already feeling pretty good?
Should I stop taking it and see what my baseline test levels are at before continuing?
I would get the tests done now to see where I’m at, and if it’s bringing your e2 down and that’s why you feel better you don’t want to take it too low. What is a few weeks, that’s 33 lbs and that’s a big increase in a few weeks or 22 lbs of lbm?
1.25 mg E3D is a really high dose for Letro in my opinion. Half that would still be a solid amount. That said, your symptoms sound good, so I guess I’d wait for lab results.
On the “do I need to keep upping my dose” question, I used to think definitely “no,” but I’m wondering now. This passage from the Wiki entry on AIs concerns me:
“When aromatase inhibitors are used in premenopausal women, the decrease in estrogen activates the hypothalamus and pituitary axis to increase gonadotropin secretion, which in turn stimulates the ovary to increase androgen production. The heightened gonadotropin levels also upregulate the aromatase promoter, increasing aromatase production in the setting of increased androgen substrate. This counteracts the effect of the aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women since total estrogen is increased.”
I imagine this isn’t just theoretical brainstorming, but, frustratingly, the passage includes no citations. I still have a hard time accepting it in total–the premise seems to be that ones body has a preferred level of E. If that’s the case, then why does anyone with a normal E2 baseline need an AI once on HRT? Wouldn’t their body simply reduce its production of aromatase once it realizes that E2 is increasing? Anyway, I’d be interested in seeing the research. Same as to your question about men running AI’s for long periods of time. I’d love to see research on that. I’m not sure its out there.
I personally wouldn’t stop your current regimen, or add or change anything, but would get labs asap.
[quote]ironman4850 wrote:
I would get the tests done now to see where I’m at, and if it’s bringing your e2 down and that’s why you feel better you don’t want to take it too low. What is a few weeks, that’s 33 lbs and that’s a big increase in a few weeks or 22 lbs of lbm?[/quote]
Sorry I should of mentioned that. I started at the beginning of March, so 3 & 1/2 months now. I’m going by symptoms. I think I lowered my e2 too low in April but I think I’ve found the right dose.