Bloodwork Comparison 2024–2025: Rising E2, High SHBG, Finasteride Side Effects?

[shepherd]

Hi everyone,

I’m a bit lost on what direction to take and could use some advice. I’m not sure if I should start TRT, drop finasteride, or try to manage my E2 with something like aromasin (possibly twice a week).

Here’s some context with my bloodwork, comparing results from last year to a few weeks ago:

- SHBG has gone up, even though I’ve been supplementing with boron, magnesium, and zinc.

- Iron levels remain high, so I’ve stopped taking multivitamins and have cut back on dietary iron.

- I started finasteride in September 2024 (about a month after my first blood test). At 1mg daily I noticed nipple sensitivity, so I dropped down to 0.25mg per day.

- E2 increased from 87 to 149 over the past year, and I suspect finasteride is driving that.
I’ve noticed some mild gyno since starting finasteride, although I’ve also leaned out compared to my first test.

I’m based in the UK, so I’ll include the unit conversions below for easier reference.

Thanks in advance for any input.

--

Testosterone (Total)
2024: 23.7 nmol/L → 683 ng/dL
2025: 21.9 nmol/L → 631 ng/dL

Free Testosterone (Calc.)
2024: 0.313 nmol/L → 9.0 ng/dL
2025: 0.256 nmol/L → 7.4 ng/dL

Estradiol (E2)
2024: 87.3 pmol/L → 23.8 pg/mL
2025: 149 pmol/L → 40.6 pg/mL

SHBG
2024: 63.7 nmol/L
2025: 73.6 nmol/L

 

[Markimus Rex]

Maybe add some calcium d glucarate for e2 control maybe every other day and retest in 5 weeks before starting trt, maybe try boron from another source or up the dose

 

[shepherd]

Maybe add some calcium d glucarate for e2 control maybe every other day and retest in 5 weeks before starting trt, maybe try boron from another source or up the dose

What about aromasin for the e2? Even if it's something like 12.5mg twice a week.

I've tried boron from two different sources already, and been taking it for more than a year now.

 

[Markimus Rex]

aromasin is a pharmaceutical and has inherent side effects, dim200 and calcium d gluecarate are natural and do the same job without sides, the aromasin is more likely to crash you e2 and make things worse, save that for when you e2 is sky high from test, your e2 isnt that extreme, just a little high, why are you on the finasteride?

 

[shepherd]

aromasin is a pharmaceutical and has inherent side effects, dim200 and calcium d gluecarate are natural and do the same job without sides, the aromasin is more likely to crash you e2 and make things worse, save that for when you e2 is sky high from test, your e2 isnt that extreme, just a little high, why are you on the finasteride?

I agree that my e2 isnt crazy elevated, but it if I need trt, my e2 will only increase more, unless I drop the finasteride. I'm taking .25mg a day to prevent any further hairloss.

Even a small dosage of 6.25mg Aromasin 2x a week could crash e2 and lower hdl too much? I'll look into calcium d gluecarate. I've also increased my carb intake which could potentially lower shbg. Thanks.

 

[BabaJagga]

I agree that my e2 isnt crazy elevated, but it if I need trt, my e2 will only increase more, unless I drop the finasteride. I'm taking .25mg a day to prevent any further hairloss.

Even a small dosage of 6.25mg Aromasin 2x a week could crash e2 and lower hdl too much? I'll look into calcium d gluecarate. I've also increased my carb intake which could potentially lower shbg. Thanks.

aromasin is safe for hdl, arimidex impacts it from what i know. i would rather take small hit in hdl than gyno.
or just dron finastride if its causing you issues.

 

[BigDadd7]

Start with 12.5 aromasin once a week. Retest after 3-4 weeks.

 

[shepherd]

aromasin is safe for hdl, arimidex impacts it from what i know. i would rather take small hit in hdl than gyno.
or just dron finastride if its causing you issues.

It sucks cause I have mild gyno now, that's why I'm only taking .25mg of fin a day now, reduced from 1mg. I think ill just low dose aromasin at 6.25mg 2x a week or 12.5mg once, and test again in a few more weeks as suggested. Worst case is I'll have to drop the fin.

 

[BabaJagga]

It sucks cause I have mild gyno now, that's why I'm only taking .25mg of fin a day now, reduced from 1mg. I think ill just low dose aromasin at 6.25mg 2x a week or 12.5mg once, and test again in a few more weeks as suggested. Worst case is I'll have to drop the fin.

sure try lowest dose, retest after 2-3 weeks and see where are you at. dont be scared from such small dose, i can see that many people sre demonising ai, dont listen.