23-05-2012, 04:59 PM
Hi karen,
In theory, that works. I even tried it once with maca, but that just has too many side effects at a high dose. The problems with operating a program above the stalling limit is that you have to supply everything, all the time. With TRT, the dose and frequency guidelines take care of timing. With herbs, one would have to calculate how much of which herb to take when and what for. For instance, hops once a day will do as an anti-androgen, but for the phyto-estrogens, it could help to take it more often.
I'm most worried about cortisol. Shutting down the LH control loop will stop production of cortisol. When it's needed, in case of stress or an inflammation, it has to be replaced with medication, e.g. prednisone. I'm just too lazy to check all symptoms every hour to supplement remedies my body can make all by itself.
It's different if the control loop doesn't work properly anyway, like yours, which, left by itself, would steer you towards low testosterone. For me, it's a matter of time, but when it does happen, I will probably do a rescue attempt first, with oats to decrease SHBG, before I give up the control loop.
Perimenopausal women do something similar to what you are doing. Early in menopause, the control loop becomes unstable, but women like Susan and Mel know how to read symptoms as cues to take herbs or supplements as needed. They show that it's possible to replace the control system by a conscious process. Ginie and shortcake know how to act fast on their symptoms too.
Even if it's not strictly necessary, it's always good to learn how to correct an imbalance on the spot. I have a feeling my own LH control loops does fairly well. I can increase FG if too much maca gives me insomnia. I keep FG just high enough to prevent ED. I keep hops low enough to stay ahead of depression and low libido. But on the whole, my doses are stable. I don't have to pull any breaks. Haven't used my emergency herbs for ages.
There's another control loop, that balances dopamine against prolactin. I'd like to understand that one better. It's relevant for NBE, certainly for PM users. There's not much to read about it on the forum, though. Let me know if you find something
In theory, that works. I even tried it once with maca, but that just has too many side effects at a high dose. The problems with operating a program above the stalling limit is that you have to supply everything, all the time. With TRT, the dose and frequency guidelines take care of timing. With herbs, one would have to calculate how much of which herb to take when and what for. For instance, hops once a day will do as an anti-androgen, but for the phyto-estrogens, it could help to take it more often.
I'm most worried about cortisol. Shutting down the LH control loop will stop production of cortisol. When it's needed, in case of stress or an inflammation, it has to be replaced with medication, e.g. prednisone. I'm just too lazy to check all symptoms every hour to supplement remedies my body can make all by itself.
It's different if the control loop doesn't work properly anyway, like yours, which, left by itself, would steer you towards low testosterone. For me, it's a matter of time, but when it does happen, I will probably do a rescue attempt first, with oats to decrease SHBG, before I give up the control loop.
Perimenopausal women do something similar to what you are doing. Early in menopause, the control loop becomes unstable, but women like Susan and Mel know how to read symptoms as cues to take herbs or supplements as needed. They show that it's possible to replace the control system by a conscious process. Ginie and shortcake know how to act fast on their symptoms too.
Even if it's not strictly necessary, it's always good to learn how to correct an imbalance on the spot. I have a feeling my own LH control loops does fairly well. I can increase FG if too much maca gives me insomnia. I keep FG just high enough to prevent ED. I keep hops low enough to stay ahead of depression and low libido. But on the whole, my doses are stable. I don't have to pull any breaks. Haven't used my emergency herbs for ages.
There's another control loop, that balances dopamine against prolactin. I'd like to understand that one better. It's relevant for NBE, certainly for PM users. There's not much to read about it on the forum, though. Let me know if you find something