Also, I can't explain all the details and science behind it all but I used to follow a keto diet and also did intermittent fasting. When I went up to 450mg of test a week I did away with my older dieting habits and I started eating a lot more carbs and was eating a lot more frequently. I can't put my finger on it completely but I firmly believe there is something related to increasing insulin and IGF-1 levels through constant feeding and I believe it somehow works together with the higher testosterone levels which aggravated my gyno and brought it back. I swear after I'd eat large carb meals within hours I would become aware of the tenderness and mild discomfort under my nipples where the gyno is located. I also notice when I eat less and occasionally fast that the lumps seem less prominent.
I definitely recall seeing data or a study or something which I am too lazy to look up right now at 4 AM, that discussed a positive correlation between increased IGF and gyno. It causes tissue growth, breast tissue is tissue. It makes sense. Will see if I can dig up the study later. Or if I am just misremembering.
Okay, I wrote this like a week or so ago and saved it, but haven't been able to post til now. I found a bunch if studies. IGF-1 at the very minimum exacerbates existing gyno as it causes breast tissue growth in males and females. It doesn't necessarily appear to do so all by itself if hormones are normal, although it is possible it could., but definitely has a growth effect when e2 is elevated, even if the Test:estrogen ratio is normal.
My take: you may want to keep e2 a little lower than normal if you are concerned about gyno and are gonna run HGH or GH peptides. IMO it might be better to just not run HGH or GH peptides, especially if you do have preexisting gyno to any degree at all. I know in my experience GH peptides definitely worsened my childhood gyno, though didn't realize it at the time, looking back it is super obvious.
Summary: high IGF-1 levels, especially in tandem with higher e2, exacerbate gyno and increase risk of developing gyno. HGH and high IGF-1 can possibly even cause gyno on their own.
Studies:
A Longitudinal Study of Growth, Sex Steroids, and IGF-1 in Boys With Physiological Gynecomastia - PubMed
A Longitudinal Study of Growth, Sex Steroids, and IGF-1 in Boys With Physiological Gynecomastia
Growth hormone treatment induces mammary gland hyperplasia in aging primates - PubMed
To investigate the effects of GH/IGF-I augmentation on mammary tissue in a model relevant to aging humans, we treated aged female rhesus monkeys with GH, IGF-I, GH + IGF-I or saline diluent for 7 weeks. IGF-I treatment was associated with a twofold increase, GH with a three- to fourfold increase, and GH + IGF-I with a four'-to fivefold increase in mammary glandular size and epithelial proliferation index.
Elevated serum IGF-I, but unaltered sex steroid levels, in healthy boys with pubertal gynaecomastia - PubMed
Elevated serum IGF-I, but unaltered sex steroid levels, in healthy boys with pubertal gynaecomastia
True gynecomastia is characterized by a relative T deficiency to E2 concentrations in contrast to pseudogynecomastia.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This study found elevated E2/T ratio but no changes to IGF-1. Would need to read the full text.
So yeah, that's that.
As far as your thing about eating, it could just be the carb heavy diet causing more water retention, which makes the gyno look worse but isn't truly causing growth.
I actually have used a skin fold caliper on my nipples so I have an objective measurement of it. It is the only way to truly know if any lumps are growing
I cant say much about your experience with eating, although I would suggest it is possible the acute effect you feel is perhaos somewhat mental. I never experienced anything like that before or after my gyno surgery, so I can't really say.
Good luck with your appointment!