Increasing testosterone levels without Anabolic Steroids

[azul]

Let's have an intelligent and meaningful discussion here.

Anastrozole:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10902781&dopt=Abstract

We have shown that testosterone (T) deficiency per se is associated with marked catabolic effects on protein, calcium metabolism, and body composition in men independent of changes in GH or insulin-like growth factor I production. It is not clear,,however, whether estrogens have a major role in whole body anabolism in males. We investigated the metabolic effects of selective estrogen suppression in the male using a potent aromatase inhibitor, Arimidex (Anastrozole). First, a dose-response study of 12 males (mean age, 16.1 +/- 0.3 yr) was conducted, and blood withdrawn at baseline and after 10 days of oral Arimidex given as two different doses (either 0.5 or 1 mg) in random order with a 14-day washout in between. A sensitive estradiol (E2) assay showed an approximately 50% decrease in E2 concentrations with either of the two doses; hence, a 1-mg dose was selected for other studies. Subsequently, eight males (aged 15-22 yr; four adults and four late pubertal) had isotopic infusions of [(13)C]leucine and (42)Ca/(44)Ca, indirect calorimetry, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, isokinetic dynamometry, and growth factors measurements performed before and after 10 weeks of daily doses of Arimidex. Contrary to the effects of T withdrawal, there were no significant changes in body composition (body mass index, fat mass, and fat-free mass) after estrogen suppression or in rates of protein synthesis or degradation; carbohydrate, lipid, or protein oxidation; muscle strength; calcium kinetics; or bone growth factors concentrations. However, E2 concentrations decreased 48% (P = 0.006), with no significant change in mean and peak GH concentrations, but with an 18% decrease in plasma insulin-like growth factor I concentrations. There was a 58% increase in serum T (P = 0.0001), sex hormone-binding globulin did not change, whereas LH and FSH concentrations increased (P < 0.02, both). Serum bone markers, osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and rates of bone calcium deposition and resorption did not change. In conclusion, these data suggest that in the male 1) estrogens do not contribute significantly to the changes in body composition and protein synthesis observed with changing androgen levels; 2) estrogen is a main regulator of the gonadal-pituitary feedback for the gonadotropin axis; and 3) this level of aromatase inhibition does not negatively impact either kinetically measured rates of bone calcium turnover or indirect markers of bone calcium turnover, at least in the short term. Further studies will provide valuable information on whether timed aromatase inhibition can be useful in increasing the height potential of pubertal boys with profound growth retardation without the confounding negative effects of gonadal androgen suppression.

Comments:

The dose of 1mg is regarded as rather high in bodybuilding circles. Has anybody ever noticed the effects of too little estrogen when taking this much arimidex WHILE NOT taking any testosterone.

There were no significant changes in body composition... but then again, we all know that you do need to work out to gain muscle.

"18% decrease in plasma insulin-like growth factor I concentrations" Not so good, but who knows whether an 18% reduction might actually reduce gains thaaat much. And you can always supplement with additional IGF-1.

-------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15856361&query_hl=2

Both estrogens and androgens play important roles in skeletal development and maintenance in men. The relative importance of estrogens and androgens in male bone metabolism, however, remains undefined. Anastrozole is an oral aromatase inhibitor that decreases estrogen production and increases androgen production in men. Currently, anastrozole is being investigated as a potential agent for the treatment of hypogonadism in aging men. Because anastrozole lowers estrogen levels and raises androgen levels, its effect on bone metabolism is difficult to predict. To assess the effects of anastrozole on bone turnover, we randomized 37 elderly (ages 62-74) mildly hypogonadal men (serum testosterone <350 ng/dl) to receive either anastrozole 1 mg daily ( n =12), anastrozole 1 mg twice weekly ( n =11), or daily placebo ( n =14) for 12 weeks. Serum gonadal steroid levels, serum and urine biochemical markers of bone turnover, serum osteoprotegerin, and total body bone mineral density were measured at baseline and week 12. Mean serum levels of total and bioavailable testosterone increased substantially in both treated groups. Specifically, mean +/- SD bioavailable testosterone levels increased from 99+/-31 ng/dl to 207+/-65 ng/dl in the group receiving 1 mg of anastrozole daily and from 115+/-37 ng/dl to 178+/-55 ng/dl in the subjects receiving 1 mg of anastrozole twice weekly ( p <0.001 vs placebo for both groups). Serum estradiol levels decreased modestly in both treated groups (from 26+/-8 pg/ml to 17+/-6 pg/ml in the daily treatment group and from 27+/-8 pg/ml to 17+/-5 pg/ml in the twice-weekly treatment group, p <0.001 vs placebo for both groups). Despite these hormonal changes, no increases in biochemical markers of bone resorption were observed. Specifically, mean serum N-telopeptide and urinary deoxypyridinoline concentrations remained stable in both treated groups over the 12-week treatment period. Similarly, serum biochemical markers of bone formation (osteocalcin and amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen), serum osteoprotegerin, and total body bone mineral density did not change. These data demonstrate that although short-term administration of anastrozole decreases serum estradiol levels in elderly men with mild hypogonadism, this intervention does not adversely affect bone metabolism over a 12-week period. This lack of an effect may be due to the concomitant increase in testosterone production, the relative modest effect on estradiol production, or a combination of both factors. These results suggest that anastrozole therapy is unlikely to have an adverse effect on bone metabolism when taken over extended periods and may prove to be a valuable method of normalizing testosterone production in older men.

Comments

Testosterone levels increased significantly, and again, no side-effects were reported.

Letrozole:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16046582&query_hl=5

Aging in men is associated with a decline in serum testosterone (T) levels. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess whether decreased T in aging might result from increased estradiol (E2) negative feedback on gonadotropin secretion. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a comparative intervention study (2004) in the Outpatient Endocrinology Clinic, Ghent University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included healthy young and elderly men (n = 10 vs. 10). INTERVENTIONS: We used placebo and letrozole (2.5 mg/d) for 28 d, separated by 2 wk washout. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed changes in serum levels of free E2, LH, and FSH, free T, SHBG, and gonadotropins response to an i.v. 2.5-microg GnRH bolus. RESULTS: As assessed after 28 d of treatment, letrozole lowered E2 by 46% in the young men (P = 0.002) and 62% in the elderly men (P < 0.001). In both age groups, letrozole, but not placebo, significantly increased LH levels (339 and 323% in the young and the elderly, respectively) and T (146 and 99%, respectively) (P value of young vs. elderly was not significant). Under letrozole, peak LH response to GnRH was 152 and 52% increase from baseline in young and older men, respectively (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aromatase inhibition markedly increased basal LH and T levels and the LH response to GnRH in both young and elderly men. The observation of similar to greater LH responses in the young compared with the elderly does not support the hypothesis that increased restraining of LH secretion by endogenous estrogens is instrumental in age-related decline of Leydig cell function.

Comments:

2.5mg of letrozole seems like a rather high dose. Has anybody noticed any side-effects at such a dose while NOT on testosterone?

It seems to reduce E2 as much as arimidex does...

Pretty significant increases in LH and T levels!

----------------------------------------------------------

Which other substances increase testosterone significantly? I know tribulus terrestris supposedly does, but I have yet to see any studies proving that. As a matter of fact, this study proves it doesn't do anything!

Peruvian Maca, another substances claimed as an aphrodisiac and testosterone booster, doesn't seem very promising either according to this study

----------------------------------------------------------

Feel free to post links to other studies proving non-AAS substances increasing testosterone production, LH function, IGF-1 production, and so on.

 

[Ulter]

I'm glad you're getting with this. E is the key to the feedback loop in the HPTA that signals for more test to be produced. Lower the E and your axis says, "we need more test". That's why you use an AI or anti-estrogen in your PCT.
The common misconception though is that this will raise your T levels enough to increase growth like a cycle does. All it does in increase your T levels to the high side of normal.

 

[azul]

I'm glad you're getting with this. E is the key to the feedback loop in the HPTA that signals for more test to be produced. Lower the E and your axis says, "we need more test". That's why you use an AI or anti-estrogen in your PCT.
The common misconception though is that this will raise your T levels enough to increase growth like a cycle does. All it does in increase your T levels to the high side of normal.

But the high side of normal is still better, relatively speaking, than having your T levels somewhere in the middle. Will it make a huge difference in muscle growth? Maybe not. But I do believe that you'll feel better with higher levels of testosterone (while off-cycle) than moderate levels of T.

Of course you'll never achieve steroid-like gains by using arimidex or letrozole, but I would certainly argue that it'd help a bit.

 

[Ulter]

Sure you'll feel a little better and it's healthy. But you're probably trashing your lipid profile in the process. So you may not want to do it for long.

 

[azul]

Sure you'll feel a little better and it's healthy. But you're probably trashing your lipid profile in the process. So you may not want to do it for long.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16230014&query_hl=24

"Clinical trials with anastrozole demonstrated no clinically relevant impact on lipid profiles in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer. However, as lipid profiles are surrogate endpoints, the most appropriate endpoint is the incidence of cardiovascular events in long-term studies. This is of particular relevance in the treatment of early breast cancer, where endocrine agents may be used in the adjuvant setting for periods of 5 years or more. Long-term adjuvant anastrozole treatment resulted in significantly fewer thromboembolic and cerebrovascular events and a similar incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events compared with tamoxifen. The effects of the other AIs on lipid levels are variable, and any correlation with cardiovascular events is currently unknown."

-----------------------------------------

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16030027&query_hl=24

"Anastrozole did not have a detrimental effect on lipid profiles following 3 months of therapy."

 

[Ulter]

Unfortunately men using AI's don't have the same results as women do.


Effect of aromatase inhibition on lipids and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in elderly men with low testosterone levels.

Dougherty RH, Rohrer JL, Hayden D, Rubin SD, Leder BZ.

Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Although androgen replacement has been shown to have beneficial effects in hypogonadal men, there is concern that androgens may deleteriously affect cardiovascular risk in elderly men. DESIGN: Anastrozole is an oral aromatase inhibitor that normalizes serum testosterone levels and decreases oestradiol levels modestly in elderly men with mild hypogonadism. Thirty-seven elderly hypogonadal men were randomized to receive either anastrozole 1 mg daily (n = 12), anastrozole 1 mg twice weekly (n = 11), or daily placebo (n = 14) for 12 weeks in a double-blind fashion. PATIENTS: Men aged 62-74 years with mild hypogonadism defined by testosterone levels less than 350 ng/dl. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of fasting lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) scores were measured at 4-week intervals. RESULTS: Treatment with anastrozole did not significantly affect fasting lipids, inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) or insulin sensitivity (HOMA). There was, however, a positive correlation between changes in serum triglycerides and changes in serum oestradiol levels (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: While short-term administration of anastrozole is an effective method of normalizing serum testosterone levels in elderly men with mild hypogonadism, it does not appear to adversely affect lipid profiles, inflammatory markers of cardiovascular risk or insulin resistance.

 

[sigmund]

Natural aromatase blockers such as DIM can reduce estradiol levels and enhance testosterone levels without impacting cholesterol levels negatively.

Di-Indole-Methane; an extract of cruciferous vegetables, DIM acts to promote and support a favourable metabolism of estrogen and related hormones by enhancing the liver’s ability to metabolize estrogen to "weaker" 2-hydroxyestrone. DIM may reduce prostate cancer incidence as it has been shown to stop human cancer cells from growing by (54-61%) and provoking the cells to self-destruct (apoptosis). DIM also improves prostate function, enhances insulin sensitivity and increases abdominal fat loss.

 

[Triple J]

well i think any aging male should try to keep their estrogen levels around 10-15. mine run 30-35 without an anti-a of some sort, and it makes a big difference in how I feel. choose between adex, letro, examastane, proviron, even OTC like zma and 6-oxo will help some. looking forward to the new product from you guys, ulter

 

[Guvna]

Natural aromatase blockers such as DIM can reduce estradiol levels and enhance testosterone levels without impacting cholesterol levels negatively.

Di-Indole-Methane; an extract of cruciferous vegetables, DIM acts to promote and support a favourable metabolism of estrogen and related hormones by enhancing the liver’s ability to metabolize estrogen to "weaker" 2-hydroxyestrone. DIM may reduce prostate cancer incidence as it has been shown to stop human cancer cells from growing by (54-61%) and provoking the cells to self-destruct (apoptosis). DIM also improves prostate function, enhances insulin sensitivity and increases abdominal fat loss.

interesting...

 

[wayneboard1]

Excellent discussion, I am learning from you two with each side presented. Keep it going! K to you both.