Low DHEA Low Estrogens & Arrhythmias

[Mid 50s]

Mid 50s and new to this forum. I'm only into quality of life, life extension and not necessarily body building. Been on TRT since 2012. Started on Androgel, then my insurance caused problems and had to go on Axiron which wasn't being absorbed properly. Eventually went on cypionate 200 mg/week and Arimidex 1mg 3x week, a year or so later, the doc dropped it down to 160 mg/week. Been on that regimen for about 1 year. I exercise regularly, go on 40 mile bike rides, workout on my Bowflex, take creatine & whey protein isolate, have a mostly clean diet (cheat on weekends). Recent labs came back with low DHEA (49.2 ug/dl, normal is 71.6 - 374.4 labcorp) and low estrogens (40 pg/ml, normal 40 - 115). Free & total T is at 1450 (taken 72 hours after my shot, so I believe the peak is captured). All other blood work is perfect. Although I was diagnosed with PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) almost 2 decades ago, my cardiologist says they are benign, but lately have been having many bouts of them. They only occur when I'm at rest, never when I'm on a marathon bike ride where my HR never gets below 150 bpm. Currently back-filling the DHEA with 50mg/day for first few weeks, then planning on dropping it down and dropping down the AI to 2 mg/week (as per the docs orders).

Although my cortisol was not tested this time, the low DHEA is an indication of adrenal fatigue. Has anyone else had this problem while on TRT for an extended period of time? If so, what did you do to remedy it?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Dr JIM]

Adrenal fatigue, good luck with that quack diagnosis as many are waiting and willing to "treat" those who BELIEVE they "have it"!

To that end your entire post is reflective of those who become involved with self therapy rather than following the sound advice of their own physician.

 

[Mid 50s]

Hi Doc, Thanks for responding. I have always followed my doctors advice to the letter. Just wondering what the low DHEA. low estrogen is all about and if it's related to the increase of arrhythmias. The plan is to see if they go away on their own, if not go see the cardiologist. And yes, the adrenal fatigue is not a standard diagnosis. Found it online, thought it might help describe my symptoms. Also thought that maybe TRT over the long term would cause these symptoms.

I do have a hypothesis. Maybe the adipose tissue in my body had diminished such that my body is creating less aromatase. Being that the aromatase inhibitor dosage has remained the same for years, maybe I'm getting too much. Also the DHEA depletion may be due to my body using another channel to create estrogen.

Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Dr JIM]

Good luck !

 

[Mid 50s]

Hopefully I'll have better luck than I've had so far.

 

[LW64]

Free & total T is at 1450 (taken 72 hours after my shot, so I believe the peak is captured).

What does your doctor think of you having a T level in the supra range for what is probably half the time (maybe more) between T injections?

 

[Dr JIM]

Indeed bc your PEAK was closer to 2000ng/dl!

 

[Mid 50s]

According to labcorp, Testosterone free and total is normal between 345 - 1197 ng/dl. Since mine was 1450 it was flagged as high, so it's about 250 above the high range. My doc never says anything about it. since I get my blood work done approx 72 hours after my shot, I always thought we are seeing the peak and that's why he didn't mention it. I want to get my next blood work done on the day of my shot (before the shot) to see the low. I'm on 160 mg/week of cypionate right now. Do you guys think I need to lower my T dose?

 

[Mid 50s]

OK guys, please excuse my ignorance. The reason I'm on this forum is to learn from knowledgeable individuals like yourselves.

I thought I read somewhere that cypionate peaks after about 72 hours, but it sounds like Doc Jim believes that's not the case and my peak could be over 2000ng/dl. So my question is when does cypionate typically peak?

Secondly, it appears that LW64 thinks that I'm in the supra range at least half of the time between shots. Is there a web site that shows typical cypionate metabolism and the cumulative effects of weekly shots?

Thanks in advance.