I thought if you lowered the SHBG it would also drop the TT because of how much of it was bound.
You said you had success in dropping your SHBG? How much CDD did you take? What were your numbers before and after?
The Estrogen test was the same at the same lab. Unless the messed something up…which would be upsetting but like I said the gyno went from walnut sized to pea sized in a month and is now almost back to the full walnut size two weeks after stopping SAM-E
Just check both labs to see if the reference ranges are the same.
Its difficult to explain. But basically, your Total Test isn’t really changing. What is changing, is the total amount that is being “bound” by your SHBG. (which is useless)
So, by lowering your SHBG, you are lowering the amount of “Bound” testosterone and it is now “free”. Its a good thing. It isn’t “lowering” your testosterone output. But modifying how much can be used (free), and how much is “bound up” and useless.
Hi,
Sometimes just the way things are explained gets confusing.
Lowering SHBG will lower the Total Testosterone number, but your FREE TESTOSTERONE will rise. Seeing your TT number decrease might worry you, but it is a falsely inflated number because of your SHBG.
Your system is over compensating to try and keep with Testosterone production for the hungry SHBG. My SHBG has been as high as 120, while my TT has been over 1200+. But the TT number is meaningless because it doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to the greedy SHBG. So I have off-the-charts Testosterone levels with ED. 
My endo and Urologist could not understand this - kept telling me I was ok because I had “plenty testosterone”. The specialists I consulted understood it immediately.
My story, if you get bored. I’m still on my journey to work this out. High T, FSH, SHBG, Low E2 No Libido. My Lab Results (pellets) - #33 by traveling-man
I did, both of the references are the same. It definitely dropped while I was on Sam-E
I think the way systemlord explained it to me was that when my SHBG goes down it will also drop my TT because right now my TT seems elevated but really it is just my SHBG holding it up.
He basically said it won’t matter if I drop my SHBG because my Total T will also drop as a consequence. Like I said, this is all new to me I’ve only been looking at this info for about 12 days so I’m completely new.
Thanks @traveling-man Traveling-Man. and @anon10035199
That’s what I thought, my main worry is that my Testosterone was only 519 in November, and was 487 during my last visit to the doc. With a SHBG reading of 69.9
So basically if I drop my SHBG to normal levels, lets say… 40
Where will my Total T be? 400? 300? Wouldn’t this still cause me a ton of problems?
And from what I have read it seems that most people state that my Testosterone will not recover and I will need to go on TRT or suffer for the rest of my life.
Short answer: Yes, you will need to be on TRT.
Even if you get your SHBG low enough, your TT is too low.
Lots of research and reading to do though before you take the final plunge.
@anon10035199 @traveling-man @systemlord
Hey guys I managed to get an early appointment with my Endocrinologist tomorrow.
What questions should I ask, or tests should I insit are done? I want to figure It out as thoroughly as possible.
The stickies has a complete list of labs that you should draw.
SHBG is crucial. Ask to have your liver values checked as well.
The doctor will probably say something like “your TT is normal, (within range)”
You will have to explain how your free test is likely low because your SHBG is choking it off.
Don’t be surprised if he is a complete moron. The last “endo” I saw asked me “What is pregnenolone?”
Do I need to know what pregnenolone is? I have had my liver tests run in November and January both came back good. Should I ask for a cbc and cmp? Vitamins? Minerals? What thyroid hormones?
Youll have to reference the stickies for the thyroid labs, not my strong area.
Hey guys,
Just got out of my appointment. The doc seemed very knowledgeable about almost everything I brought up.
Said because of my drinking history he wants to try some other things first before TRT to see if I can get my liver to bounce back. Thinks my liver is concerting my T to E and if we can fix that problem I should be good.
As a precaution we are running a whole new set of bloods with more stuff to get a base level.
I have to wait a few weeks to take the blood work but will know more after that. Thanks for your help guys.
I think its good that he wants to treat your liver issues also.
Testosterone is converted to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. Aromatase is mostly made in fat cells.
I think that he has the right idea regarding starting with fixing your liver, even if you do end up on TRT, this would be a desirable step because of your SHBG. . Good luck, keep us posted.
Will do. Thanks again!
Except that you do not have high E, you have moderate to low E. I wonder why he thinks that is the issue?
What did he/she say about SHBG results?
@traveling-man I have elevated E when I’m not taking SAM-e.
Sam-e is a methyl donor that aids in phase 2 detox. It will force things out of your liver. So that’s why my E was so low last labs.
I am currently off of the Sam-e and my gybecomastia is back in full force.
He thinks if we can heal my liver then my body might changing my T to E and my T will go up as my SHBG goes down - as my liver heals.
Thanks, that makes more sense! Please keep this thread up to date and best of luck!
@traveling-man will do.
@anon10035199 how much Calcium D Glucarata do you take? When is your next set of labs to see if your numbers keep going down… are you on TRT or just trying to get your SHBG down?
Im on TRT. I was taking 500mg BID, but I started to feel like maybe I was driving my e2 too low. Was also taking 50mg of zinc for e2 control, so I stopped both. but may introduce the CDG again at like 250 once or twice a day, to see if it continues to help my SHBG.
It was the only thing I added when my SHBG went from 54 on 12/3 to 37 on 12/18.
I will post up again about my next future text, have some in a month or so.
Got ya. I’m not sure what BID is… is that a formula?
OOPS! Twice a day, Sorry . Medical lingo.