[Lotus]

Perhaps it's time we did our field analysis purpose of revealing how PM/Hrt effects us differently. I ask that if you've (male/female/trans) had recent blood/salvia work completed that it be shared here (this thread). Our analysis skills (though not expert) can decipher a near free T %, based on total T and SHBG test results. I should be able to determine free Estadiol with that same information (along with serum estrogen total).

Sample posting:


Total Testosterone ___ng/dL Lab reference _____ng/dL

Estrogen ___pg/mL Lab reference ______pg/mL

SHBG ___nmol/L Lab reference _____nmol/L

Prolactin, progesterone listed similarly.


What we need to find out is what exactly PM/HrT and other supplements are doing for us. It would be helpful to have included the brand(s) of these products, as to how it relates to the potencies and what if any effects are seen.

A few examples of what I mean, does NBE herbs raise SHBG netting a lower free T?, or what does PM do to total T, does it raise total T and inhibit DHT?........E2 lowers FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) that inhibits aromatase and thereby reduce Spermatogenous, these combinations and others can be addressed here at BN for our own unique analysis.

Thanks so much. L.

[Sofia Bunny]

As of 4/22/2016

Testosterone, Serum 335 ng/dL Lab reference 348-1197 ng/dL

Estrogen 89 pg/mL Lab reference 40-115 pg/mL

SHBG N/A nmol/L Lab reference N/A nmol/L

Siam Natural PM 400 mg pills
Swansons Astaxanthin 8mg pill
Swansons Teavigo Green Tea Extract 90% EGCG pill
Swansons high potency red clover extract 125 mg pill
Swansons White Peony Root 600mg pill

Will take a new test on Thursday or Friday that will include SHBG.

[Lotus]

Thanks bunny,

Sofia's results are interesting, her Total T (testosterone is low end) and estrogen on the upper end of male levels of estrogen (or low end female), certainly comparable with post-menopausal women who derive almost all of their estrogen from adipose(fat tissue) and aromatase (via stored estrogen) in fat tissue.

SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) which is released from the liver is the wild card for NBE/Hrt. Think of this protein as the one that gobbles (globulin) most of the hormones that travel to target tissues. Now this protein doesn't like to share, but.....we must insist that it does, or plays nice, I'll tell you why in minute. There's another protein called " albumin " this likes to be " all - in " (albumin- too corny?, lol....it's what came to mind) that does like to share, and in targets tissues (breasts are one such example). Now freeing up the bound hormones in SHBG will float more free hormones (by displacing) SHBG, in other words.......kicking them out of SHBG so they can interact with target tissues. Leptin ( a hormone) displaces SHBG, other things can too, but leptin has the most potential (in my opinion) it's also a " second messenger " which means its an intercellular mediator that promotes DNA synthesis, (more boob growth).

I used to believe that higher SHBG meant more free hormones in the blood, welp....I was ww---wrong yup, I admit defeat on that one lmao, and it happens. Here's the thing, the higher SHBG the lower the free hormones are available, and vice versa for increased free hormones. Free hormones (or also known as sex-steroids) are the active parts in SHBG, and albumin is a carrier protein of water, fatty acids, (other things too) and yes homones (in the free form), higher albumin isn't necessarily a good thing, could be indicative of vitamin A poisoning, if your always thirsty ( dehydration ) look into elevated albumin. There's another protein called corticosteroid binding globulin -CBG though it isn't strong enough to be concerned about at this point.

I'll have to give some real time data by way of blood test results to explain further what exactly I mean about how SHBG is the wild card, as soon as possible.

[jannet.duff]

I'm not really sure if my results are going to be of use, but here goes.

18-June-2016

Estradol. 124 <150 Pmol/L
T.Free. 97 179-475 Pmol/L

SHBG - prolactin- progesterone. N/A

Estrodot @ 2mg daily.
150mg Spiro daily.
5mg proscar daily.

[Lotus]

I'm not really sure if my results are going to be of use, but here goes.

18-June-2016

Estradol. 124 <150 Pmol/L
T.Free. 97 179-475 Pmol/L

SHBG - prolactin- progesterone. N/A

Estrodot @ 2mg daily.
150mg Spiro daily.
5mg proscar daily.

Thanks Jannet

Converting estradiol from picmole/liter (pmol) to picogram/milliter (pg/mL) and I get:

E2- 32.78 pg/mL Ref. Range 60-190 pg/mL

Do you have total T ?


I'm calculating that your free E2 is near 1.36% (normal female range is 1.6% to 3.6%).


They key is getting SHBG, so we can determine how much bioavailable hormones are being held up in the blood, knowing this (SHBG) I think you can say to your doctor, my blood serum levels (bound hormones are locked up) and hopefully they can adjust meds as needed. Things we can do ourselves to free up more unbound hormones are simple things, like exercise and this combination. (This is theory in progress, I have listed the science in this regard) You'll need a pro-aromatase, like vitaminD (sublingual spray), with simultaneous sublingual adimistration of E2, followed by calcium (orally). Other options are available too.

[jannet.duff]

Thanks lotus, I did request my Total T, and SHBG levels, but my HRT doctor says " They are not necessary, and I'm following OHIP guidelines.
I am thinking of making an appointment with my regular doctor, I'm sure I can get him to get those for me.

I do take calcium and vitamin D, as well as a multivitamin and vitamin C tab.

[spanky (aka Lola)]

Here are my results

Testosterone, Serum 464
Estrogens, Total 70
Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum 187.7
Albumin, Serum 4.5

I don't know what they mean. My SHBG is quite high.

Any help understanding the numbers will be very very much appreciated.

[WendyA]

I would love to contribute. I've been on E for 8 months and have no clue of my levels of E or T. My clinician feels the numbers simply drive folks nuts and E varies greatly during the day while taking E. I agree with her. I'm not looking to transition just keeping my brain in check and if an expanding chest is the side effect I'm good with that.

[Lotus]

Here are my results

Testosterone, Serum 464
Estrogens, Total 70
Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum 187.7
Albumin, Serum 4.5

I don't know what they mean.  My SHBG is quite high.  

Any help understanding the numbers will be very very much appreciated.

Thanks spanky,

Calculated Free T = 2.36 ng/dL  =  0.508 %
Calculated Bioavailable T = 55.3 ng/dL  =  11.9 %
Calculated Free E2 = 0.0331 ng/dL  =  0.473 %  (1.5% would be ok)


SHBG is high, 187.7, which should translate to testosterone being lower, though 464 ng/dL isn't refelecting the result.  As a percentage though, free T is low (tells me DHT is being inhibited). This number 0.508% better reflects the active % of androgen (testosterone,) E2 needs a boost from a pro-aromatase. Total T tells us what's available, not necessarily what can be made into estrogen,  free T shows us how much is a available to be converted.

[Lotus]

As reference my labs from a couple weeks ago.

SHBG= 52 nmol/L (down from 77 nmol/L)
Total T = 3 ng/dL (down from 12 nag/dL)
Free T = 0.039 ng/dL = 1.3 %. (Up from a .90%)
Bioavailable T= 0.975 ng/dL = 32.5 %

Free E2 = 1.27 ng/dL = 1.34 %.
Estrogen 952 pg/mL (Up from 760 pg/mL)

My SHBG went down from 77 to 52, as a result my free T percentage jumped, even though my total T went down to 3 ng/dL........basically meaning no T. However, in stil seeing DHT creep in how often I shave (denoting adrenal DHT impact).

So, this tells me adrenal DHT still has a major impact even in the absence of total T, my goal should be to reduce DHT in the adrenal androgen pathway.