SWALE and others,
Do we know for certain if low estradiol levels directly impact HDL? SWALE's paper mentioned that excessively low estradiol can be very bad for the lipid profile (and other things) and therefore, for a long time, I assumed a direct connection. But I have seen some studies recently that have brought me back to question the link between low estradiol and HDL. Unfortunately, none of these studies have been done with post-adolescent men, likely because the aromatase inhibitors are only indicated (in the US) for post-menopausal women.
This study indicates that Arimidex (Anastrozole) has no impact on plasma lipid levels, but Femara (Letrozole) and Aromasin (Exemestane) do have a negative impact:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12538502&dopt=Abstract
This study indicates that Aromasin (Exemestane) "...has no detrimental effect on cholesterol levels...":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14760111&query_hl=3
This study indicates that "Preliminary data demonstrate that anastrozole increases the risk of arthralgias and produces a decrease in bone density. In contrast, exemestane appears to favorably affect bone density and lipid profile*":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12800793&dopt=Abstract
Thus study compares cardiovascular risk for post-menopausal women w/early breast cancer taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) compared to Anastrozole (Arimidex) and concludes "that in our study anastrozole had a beneficial effect on lipid profiles of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after 12 weeks of treatment.":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15788292&query_hl=1
Somewhat related. Study showing a potential link between estradiol associated with HDL and stimulation of eNOS: http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/111/10/1579
And then there are these four studies. The first is again done on postmenopausal women and shows an unfavorable effects on the lipid panel from Letrozole (I'm seeing a trend here: Letrozole is always bad), but the three other studies are done on adolescent males and (apparently) indicate no apparent impact on lipids:
http://steroidology.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77328
I realize that many studies can be torn apart. My wife learned all about how to find problems with studies at school. But this is all I have to go on at this time. For example, perhaps SWALE has observed anecdotal evidence, although I know that SWALE is probably careful not to bring estradiol down too low, so perhaps not.
Do we know for certain if low estradiol levels directly impact HDL? SWALE's paper mentioned that excessively low estradiol can be very bad for the lipid profile (and other things) and therefore, for a long time, I assumed a direct connection. But I have seen some studies recently that have brought me back to question the link between low estradiol and HDL. Unfortunately, none of these studies have been done with post-adolescent men, likely because the aromatase inhibitors are only indicated (in the US) for post-menopausal women.
This study indicates that Arimidex (Anastrozole) has no impact on plasma lipid levels, but Femara (Letrozole) and Aromasin (Exemestane) do have a negative impact:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12538502&dopt=Abstract
This study indicates that Aromasin (Exemestane) "...has no detrimental effect on cholesterol levels...":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14760111&query_hl=3
This study indicates that "Preliminary data demonstrate that anastrozole increases the risk of arthralgias and produces a decrease in bone density. In contrast, exemestane appears to favorably affect bone density and lipid profile*":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12800793&dopt=Abstract
Thus study compares cardiovascular risk for post-menopausal women w/early breast cancer taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) compared to Anastrozole (Arimidex) and concludes "that in our study anastrozole had a beneficial effect on lipid profiles of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after 12 weeks of treatment.":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15788292&query_hl=1
Somewhat related. Study showing a potential link between estradiol associated with HDL and stimulation of eNOS: http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/111/10/1579
And then there are these four studies. The first is again done on postmenopausal women and shows an unfavorable effects on the lipid panel from Letrozole (I'm seeing a trend here: Letrozole is always bad), but the three other studies are done on adolescent males and (apparently) indicate no apparent impact on lipids:
http://steroidology.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77328
I realize that many studies can be torn apart. My wife learned all about how to find problems with studies at school. But this is all I have to go on at this time. For example, perhaps SWALE has observed anecdotal evidence, although I know that SWALE is probably careful not to bring estradiol down too low, so perhaps not.
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