Proviron vs SHBG

[BamaCrazy]

Due to whatever reason pre-TRT+ my SHBG was very high (82.4 nmol/L). It likely had to do with 45 pound weight loss in a short time period eating a low carb high protein diet. But my free T was in the single digits so I started Test C. My first labs at 7 weeks my SHBG was 79.9. Six weeks later after adding Primo my SHBG was 79.4. I had read that Primo can lower SHBG but that was not the case for me. Then I added 25mg Proviron twice daily because of its high binding affinity for SHBG. I didn’t really like the way I felt on Proviron so I tapped out on day 9. 2 days later I had labs done and SHBG dropped to 37.3.

Has anyone else experienced this? 9 days isn’t a long period of time but my SHBG dropped over 50%. Kind of wild if it really worked that fast. I made no other changes to diet or test+primo dosage.

 

[sinistral]

Just some of my experience.
I added Proviron ~35 mg/day to my protocol 10 days before a blood test and it dropped my SHBG from 64 to 47.
I ran Primo 100 mg/wk for 6 weeks and dropped SHBG down to 26.

 

[BamaCrazy]

Just some of my experience.
I added Proviron ~35 mg/day to my protocol 10 days before a blood test and it dropped my SHBG from 64 to 47.
I ran Primo 100 mg/wk for 6 weeks and dropped SHBG down to 26.

That’s pretty impressive. Maybe for me it was the combination of both. I dropped the Proviron but hopefully the Primo will keep my SHBG low.

 

[sinistral]

That’s pretty impressive. Maybe for me it was the combination of both. I dropped the Proviron but hopefully the Primo will keep my SHBG low.

I haven't run proviron with primo but I ran anavar 5mg/day with Primo 100mg/wk and SHBG went to 11.
I'm taking another stab at just proviron right now. I'll get bloods done after a proper run of it.

 

[sinistral]

Looking through my old logs I ran anavar 5mg/day alone and SHBG was 21. Maybe low dose anavar might be an option for you.

 

[BamaCrazy]

Looking through my old logs I ran anavar 5mg/day alone and SHBG was 21. Maybe low dose anavar might be an option for you.

I’ll get some 5’s and test that out. Did your free T track up with the lower SHBG? I’m getting hormone labs in a few more weeks and I’m hoping to see much higher free T.

 

[Type-IIx]

Due to whatever reason pre-TRT+ my SHBG was very high (82.4 nmol/L). It likely had to do with 45 pound weight loss in a short time period eating a low carb high protein diet. But my free T was in the single digits so I started Test C. My first labs at 7 weeks my SHBG was 79.9. Six weeks later after adding Primo my SHBG was 79.4. I had read that Primo can lower SHBG but that was not the case for me. Then I added 25mg Proviron twice daily because of its high binding affinity for SHBG. I didn’t really like the way I felt on Proviron so I tapped out on day 9. 2 days later I had labs done and SHBG dropped to 37.3.

Has anyone else experienced this? 9 days isn’t a long period of time but my SHBG dropped over 50%. Kind of wild if it really worked that fast. I made no other changes to diet or test+primo dosage.

Yeah brotha, all androgens decrease SHBG. It's actually part of the definition of androgenicity, reduced SHBG. The endocrine effects of androgenicity are decreased FSH, LH, and SHBG. The masculinizing effects, hirsutism (increased body hair), dysphonia (voice deepening). These are only part of the definition, but you get the idea.

 

[BamaCrazy]

Yeah brotha, all androgens decrease SHBG. It's actually part of the definition of androgenicity, reduced SHBG. The endocrine effects of androgenicity are decreased FSH, LH, and SHBG. The masculinizing effects, hirsutism (increased body hair), dysphonia (voice deepening). These are only part of the definition, but you get the idea.

Would lower SHBG also increase circulating estrogen as it binds with all steroid hormones? I usually struggle with high E2 issues but my E2 was 12.3 two weeks ago. Primo is also likely keeping E2 low but I’m wondering whether E2 might increase now along with free T. I’ll know for certain when I get labs in 2-3 weeks.

 

[Type-IIx]

Would lower SHBG also increase circulating estrogen as it binds with all steroid hormones? I usually struggle with high E2 issues but my E2 was 12.3 two weeks ago. Primo is also likely keeping E2 low but I’m wondering whether E2 might increase now along with free T. I’ll know for certain when I get labs in 2-3 weeks.

Theoretically it increases all free sex hormones including androgens and estrogens. There’s a paralysis to analysis to so many posts I see.

Practically, 12.5 E2 is about half what you want, but symptoms dictate what to do, if anything, about it.

 

[sinistral]

Theoretically it increases all free sex hormones including androgens and estrogens. There’s a paralysis to analysis to so many posts I see.

Practically, 12.5 E2 is about half what you want, but symptoms dictate what to do, if anything, about it.

Are there any cons to letting SHBG run high?

 

[Type-IIx]

Are there any cons to letting SHBG run high?

Decreased free androgen, and if T/androgen is low, low free androgen index (low FAI) or hypogonadism (erectile dysfunction, etc.)

 

[Grey Spartan]

My SHBG was 31 on 175mg Test-C. I dropped down to 150mg Test-C and added 50mg Oxandrolone (Anavar) and had blood work done 10 days later. SHBG is now 14. Hope that helps with your data.

 

[Groundfighter]

Is there a sweet spot or different for everyone ?

 

[Grey Spartan]

Is there a sweet spot or different for everyone ?

I saw somewhere 20-35

 

[Eddie.]

Is there a sweet spot or different for everyone ?

My lowest was 11 and i was feeling fine. I think those who deal with side effects are much likeley to have it crushed, like <4. I think 10-30 would be a good range (just my assumption).

 

[Grey Spartan]

My lowest was 11 and i was feeling fine. I think those who deal with side effects are much likeley to have it crushed, like <4. I think 10-30 would be a good range (just my assumption).

My blood work say the reference range is 10-50 nmol/L. I still find SHBG a little confusing. So many different opinions that contradict each other. This is the reason I'm experimenting with it, to see for myself how my blood work changes and how I feel and look.

 

[Eddie.]

My blood work say the reference range is 10-50 nmol/L. I still find SHBG a little confusing. So many different opinions that contradict each other. This is the reason I'm experimenting with it, to see for myself how my blood work changes and how I feel and look.

50 is normal for natty, no reason to keep it (even if it's almost impossible) while using aas, higher SHBG = lower amount of free testosterone to be used. Type 2 explained it better couple posts up.

Basically besides Vigorous Steve who's obsessed with not having a very low SHBG all the rest of guys never pay attention to. It's not on their regular bloodwork because from the time you start using gear, especially in higher amounts, is almost impossible to maintain a level towards the upper range.

I know guys which have a crushed value of <5 for years and they feel fine, their libido is fine etc. Otherwise almost everyone using high test or/and high amounts of DHT derivatives would feel like shit with a non function noodle.

In my opinion SHBG is a hormone to deal with ONLY if you're in a stable and long term TRT, you're having dick or libido issues and SHBG is crushed. Otherwise is just an unnecessary (and not cheap, at least here) marker to check out regularly.