I am looking for the answer to why my Free T was so low with 300mg T per week.
It maybe my high caffeine intake. It is in NO*Explode and nearly every ephedra formula, in fact I am not sure if there is a pre-workout powder/drink that does not contain caffeine.
A new study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (144:642-44, 1996), reports the most ominous finding yet for bodybuilders: Caffeine may interfere with testosterone activity. Apparently, caffeine increases the liver’s synthesis of a blood protein, called sex- hormone binding globulin (SHBG), that binds to testosterone. Research shows that 50-65% of all testosterone circulating in the blond is bound to SHBG , with the rest hound to another blood protein called albumin. The binding action of testosterone to SHBG Is much stronger than it is to albumin, making all testosterone bound to SHBG Inactive. Only about one or two percent of circulating testosterone Is unbound, or free, and only this form can enter cells. SF186 levels are lower in obese people, which explains why they rarely show decreased testosterone activity, even though they usually produce less testosterone than their leaner peers. Several substances can raise or lower SHBG levels. Substances that increase SHBG include estrogen, thyroid hormone and, according to this new study, caffeine. Substances that lower SHBG include growth hormone, insulin and androgens. For this reason, the substances in the latter category will increase testosterone activity in the body.
This study did not explain how caffeine increases. In addition, the study subjects were older women, which Immediately raises a red flag. Several years ago, the trace mineral boron was found to increase testosterone levels. It did but only in older women. Subsequent research involving athletes found no testosterone-increasing effect from boron. The same may hold true for this new caffeine study. The side effect may be limited to older women, possibly through an interaction with estrogen, which is known to increase 51186 levels in the liver. Since no reports exist that testosterone activity is reduced in males who are heavy caffeine users, the effect may be limited to older women. Let’s hope so: I’d hate to give up my two morning cups of java!