[Candace]

I'll give you an example of a similar process and it involves Nettle Root, although the process of NR can be confusing it works by increasing Free T and Estrogen at the same time. Take for instance this explanation of Nettle Roots action:

Nettle root can interfere with or block a number these hormone-related chemical processes in the body that are implicated in the development of BPH. In clinical research, nettle has demonstrated the ability to stop the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (by inhibiting aromatase, an enzyme required for the conversion), as well as to directly bind to SHBG itself - thereby preventing SHBG from binding to other hormones. Other research also reveals that nettles can prevent SHBG that has already bound to a hormone from attaching to the receptor sites on the prostate, as well as to decrease the production of estrogens (estradiol and estrone) by inhibiting an enzyme required for their production. The effect of nettle root on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels has also made it a treatment for hair loss, as male pattern balding has often been linked to an excess of DHT, as has hair loss in women too.

Nettle root extract (and the fancy purified DVTHF version) didn't have much of an effect on me, while tribulus did. Here's the bloodwork. (There are also results for the ineffective "aromatase inhibitors" Erase, Formadrol, and Triazole. Anastrozole is interesting: at a 2 tab/wk dose that stressed my liver, it raised T and lowered E. At a safe dose all it does is lower E.)

Baseline.....................................T 496 FT 10.1 E 33
250 mg nettle root extract............T 409 FT 10.6 E 38
400 mg DVTHF............................T 405 FT 12.3 E 38
1 g tribulus, 800 mg DVTHF..........T 560 FT 11.6 E 42
1 g tribulus, chasteberry, 2xErase..T 580 FT 11.9 E 48
1 g tribulus, 2 letrozole/wk............T 940 FT 22.7 E 29
1 g tribulus, 2 anastrozole/wk.......T 785 FT 18.1 E 23
1 g tribulus, 1 anastrozole/wk.......T 600 FT 9.2 E 25
1 g tribulus, 4xFormadrol..............T 570 FT 9.8 E 48
1 g tribulus, 4xTriazole.................T 566 FT 9.7 E 55