Licorice

[JBRIII]

I've been told to take Licorice 3-5 grams a day to lower my T level. I'm having a redraw and I took a shot of 200mg T.E. before my Dr. told me not to. That was on the 8th. I'm going to redraw on the 29th. I just don't want to have to wait another 8 weeks to get this all settled. My level before the last shot was 212.

If I try the Licorice what kind of decrease can I expect? I've also read about drinking, fasting, sleep deprivation, etc... Not too good of an option for me. I need to be alert and functional at work.

What if I took 25 mg of D-Bol a day along with the licorice and stopped the d-bol 2-3 days before my test. Would this short term usage suppress me enough to effect my levels? I don't want them too low though.

Thanks for any input.

J.

 

[JBRIII]

I hate the candy. But was told and searched several threads that mentioned licorice root. I bought some 500mg capsules at GNC today.

 

[drrman]

licorice....like the candy....lol

 

[JBRIII]

Licorice also raises cortisol levels. Would this be the reason that it may depress T Levles?

 

[Doktor Bollix]

Licorice also raises cortisol levels. Would this be the reason that it may depress T Levles?

Here ya go dude.



The New England Journal of Medicine -- October 7, 1999 -- Vol. 341, No. 15

Reduction of Serum Testosterone in Men by Licorice

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To the Editor:

Extracts of licorice root are widely used in many countries as flavoring agents, breath fresheners, or candy. The active component of licorice is glycyrrhizic acid, which is hydrolyzed in vivo to glycyrrhetinic acid. The well-known mineralocorticoid-like effect of licorice results from the inhibition of 11(beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of cortisol to cortisone, thereby minimizing the binding of cortisol to mineralocorticoid receptors. (1) Licorice may also directly activate mineralocorticoid receptors. (2) In vitro, licorice can block 17(beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone. (3)

We evaluated the effect of licorice on gonadal function in seven normal men, 22 to 24 years of age. The men were given 7 g daily of a commercial preparation of licorice in the form of tablets (Saila, Bologna, Italy) containing 0.5 g of glycyrrhizic acid, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; the effect on the metabolism of mineralocorticoids in these men was reported previously. (2) Serum testosterone, androstenedione, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after four and seven days of administration of licorice and four days after it was discontinued. During the period of licorice administration, the men's serum testosterone concentrations decreased and their serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations increased (Table 1).

These results demonstrate that licorice inhibits both 17(beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17,20-lyase, which catalyzes the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione. The amounts of licorice given to these men are eaten by many people. Thus, men with decreased libido or other sexual dysfunction, as well as those with hypertension, should be questioned.

 

[JBRIII]

THANK YOU!!!