Thread: Help Needed with this ROLLERCOASTER Ride (Side-by-side test results)

Alright amigos!

I need some advice...
(side-by-side comparison image below)


Long story short...
l have been battling with the most frustrating spell of ED of my life. I have said it before - the libido and urge is there, but even a crazy dose of cialis ain't enough to consistently perform...

So... a little over a month ago, the labs revealed high SHBG (which had already been in the higher range of normal in the past) and high prolactin showing in my test results, so I got some caber and some proviron (and upped the test) to deal with these issues. As you will see below, the caber worked (too damn well) - and as a result, I am pulling back on the caber. The proviron, however - did not budge the needle, nor did the higher dose of test - when it came to the SHBG issue. I realize proviron only binds and would not necessarily drop the number.

BUT... My bedroom performance issues had only marginally improved for a brief period a couple weeks ago. And since relapsed...

With this current test result, I have no doubt that the SHBG is the big culprit.


And so you have the entire picture, let me bullet out what I know/don't know (and likely reasons for the high SHBG):

• Quick stats: I am 40 years old. 6'3" / 210lbs / 33" waist / no clue on BF% (I am not fat, not skinny, no bulging 6 pack either - probably in range of 14-17%)
• Current gear: 210mg/week Test cyp
• Workout: 4 days a week (PPL/Full Body), and have been adding cardio to my regimen
• Diet: Intermittent Fasting (20 hours per day)/Keto (helps with bullet point below)
• As a child, I was given this wonderful gift called type 1 diabetes (I don't recommend it - it ain't as cool as you'd think)
• Blood Glucose: Strictly controlled (avg BG range: 5-7)
• Meds (not supps): Lantus Insulin (24 units per day), Humalog Fast Acting Insulin (~10-15 units per day on average), Metformin (1000mg/day), cialis (20mg/day)
• Other health issues: November 2019 - kidney stones (blasted and passed)
• Liver levels (as of May 2020) - all good
• Kidney health (as of March 2020) - all good
• Thyroid (as of June 2020) - all good
• So... I am confident that the SHBG is NOT likely related to liver or thyroid problems
• From research, it appears that elevated SHBG is one of the glorious special bonuses of being a Type 1 Diabetic (thanks Diabetes!)
  
  • In fact, there is an inverse relationship between how much insulin you take (for T1D) and the level of SHBG
    
  • In other words... lots of insulin shots = really fat with lower SHBG
    

Now the test results (the money shot):


LGCJULY2020-COMPARISON.jpg

So... What can I do about this SHBG issue?

• I am already taking boron, vitamin D, and all the other usual suspects (before this test)...
  
• Since it isn't likely my liver/thyroid, there is no protocol option there...
  
• I know large T levels can suppress SHBG but I really don't want my TRT/cruise dose to go any higher if I don't have to. In fact, I would prefer to titrate down from where I am...
  
• Clearly proviron didn't make much of an impact for me...
  
• And while increased insulin lowers shbg...
  
  
  • I can't take more insulin shots unless I want to deal with hypoglycemia and take a permanent vacation 6 feet under
  • Nor, do I wanna start binging on carbs and sugar just so I can take more insulin shots and live a hyperglycemic lifestyle of having feet amputated and being on dialysis down the road.

Do I just need to embrace some DHT compounds in my cruise/TRT?

These are the options I know of right now:

• I do have a sh-t load of primobolan - it is DHT but I am not sure if that would suppress SHBG enough on its own
• I also have a nice supply of Masteron P - again, if proviron didn't make it work - would mast?
• I was already considering going on HGH (2iu/day). Some research suggests that it can lower SHBG...
• I have about 200 tablets of syn anavar (10mg) - I read a lot of evidence of 5mg of winny doing the trick - perhaps 10mg daily of var would be the way to go.
• I clearly prefer using orals like this in blasts/cycles. But it appears that to solve this will require an ONGOING protocol

Now... Please weigh in and help me solve this if you can...


Thanks so much.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this and share your feedback!








--

And if the above image is not clear enough, here is an enlarged version...

Previous test
MAY2020.png

Current test
JULY2020.png

Originally Posted by WatchWho

Thanks for the reply. As to your questions...

• ED problem I have is NOT libido/desire/drive. I want it - I just can't maintain an erection and when I do - it is a semi erection. I have feeling and can climax. It's just not great not being able to stay hard. And it doesn't matter if I take 40mg of cialis (I even tried 60). And I can barely count on one hand how many times I have awakened with morning wood in the past 3-4 months...
• I am Type 1 diabetic
• Mental state: no depression or anxiety. I am generally in a decent mood (apart from my frustrations with bedroom performance - lol)
• I do take Calcium D Glugarate 1000mg/day - but not the other supps mentioned...

I encourage adding I3C & Inositol/Choline. It's a necessary stack IME. I'm sure I've lost the articles I had saved to substantiate this claim so I encourage you do your own homework. It's been yrs since I've researched this but as far as I remember the I/C supp provides a missing molecule necessary for binding estrogen in the elimination process. W/out it the estrogen can be re-absorbed.

Originally Posted by Riggs

Ok

My 1st thought is high PL more so than high SHBG.

The T, DA, PRL & E2 relationship I have a good understanding of. So I can help adjust things there to gain a balance that'll boost libido/stamina. It might be better to understand SHBG expression & insulin resistance.

Lack of sensitivity and stamina. Have you tried any of these...

More frequent pins of T
Upping T while adding Asin (low dose)


What were your Caber and Proviron protocols?

I pin every day and have all along.

As for the caber (which crushed my prolactin to below 10 miu/L) - I was taking .5 EOD. And I know that is CRAZY. In the time from my previous test, I was sure the prolactin was the issue and I kept titrating the dose up hoping the performance issues would improve. Obviously not the case.

I was taking 50mg/day of proviron.

I will also look into those supplements as well.

I am considering the option of upping test. I guess I only hesitate because (as you can see) from my earlier labs to now, I upped the test almost 20% and SHBG stayed the same (in fact, it went up a little bit - probably because I crushed my prolactin)...

Originally Posted by thebear

Of course it’s tough for us to really now. Things like under eating, liver stress, high prolactin and e2 can raise SHBG.

I haven’t used that lab so I am having a hard time seeing the norms, but I agree with Riggs on estrogen clearing.

Apologize but I forget, where you or are you on an AI?

For me I didn’t see any result in ED til my PL got to 1-2.

Another though is under eating. I am NOT a fan of keto or farting one but, that’s me. I know your Type 1 DM but I still don’t agree it’s the answer and I have a strong hunch that this way of eating is playing a role.

There is lots of research around anorexia increasing SHBG. I know your not anorexia but I see fasting and keto as such.

That’s my 2c

I am not on any AI at all.

As for the keto/IF. I hear ya and if I were not a T1D, would not have much argument with you. It is, for me, the best diet to manage my BG levels and keep them as controlled as I can.
When I was younger and eating a "balanced" diet, I was on a constant up and down with my BG levels. I'd eat something with carbs, not get the dose of insulin right and skyrocket up. Then, to fix it - take another shot (and over shoot it) and hit a hypoglycemic state. Then, to avoid dying from a hypo - I'd have to ingest fast acting glucose (or juice) and sky rocket up again. And the cycle repeats and is nasty business... Keto takes all the crap out of the equation for me.