interesting.
Just read this site: labtestsonline[dot]org/understanding/analytes/shbg/test.html
and it seems to match with what your saying. I did not have my SHBG levels checked.
"if" my SHBG levels are low (I assume low here is bad, high is good?), what does one do to raise them? Or is it like HRT where they give you a shot or a patch?
Honestly, I have never felt "right" about my age, cleanliness (no drugs, alcohol, tobacco), weight, fitness, etc... + the herbs/supps i ahve taken that are supposed to help with libido..and NOTHING ever seems to effect me. Now I kind of wonder if my SHBG are off and that might explain why nothing seems to help.
On a side note. I know prolactin levels spike after ejaculation which often causes the loss of libido and detachment effects. More so with ejaculation after intercourse, versus masturbation. I have noticed more after intercourse my desire for more sex drops much quicker and seems to last longer then via masturbation.
and for what its worth, I have gotten off only 4 times in the last 2 months...I feel like I should be a walking hard on lol
, but no...FAR FAR from it.
You got it backwards
When SHBG levels are high, your total testosterone levels can be completely normal- but your free testosterone levels will be very low, because most of your availiable testosterone is bound to SHBG.
Urtica Dioica (Nettle Root) has been shown in several studies to have the ability to bind SHBG:
Planta Med. 1997 Dec;63(6):529-32.
Lignans from the roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites bind to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
Schöttner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G.
Lehrstuhl Organische Chemie I, Universität Bayreuth, Germany.
Abstract
Polar extracts of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) roots contain the ligans (+)-neoolivil, (-)-secoisolariciresinol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, isolariciresinol, pinoresinol, and 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran. These compounds were either isolated from Urtica roots, or obtained semisynthetically. Their affinity to human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was tested in an in vitro assay. In addition, the main intestinal transformation products of plant lignans in humans, enterodiol and enterolactone, together with enterofuran were checked for their activity. All lignans except (-)-pinoresinol developed a binding affinity to SHBG in the in vitro assay. The affinity of (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran was outstandingly high. These findings are discussed with respect to potential beneficial effects of plant lignans on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Z Naturforsch C. 1997 Nov-Dec;52(11-12):834-43.
Interaction of lignans with human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
Schöttner M, Gansser D, Spiteller G.
Lehrstuhl Organische Chemie I, Universität Bayreuth, Germany.
Abstract
Lignans bind to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The lignan with the highest binding affinity is (+/-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran. In a double Stobbe condensation--without use of protecting groups--a wide variety of lignans with different substitution pattern in the aromatic and aliphatic part of the molecule was synthesized. These lignans were tested in a SHBG-binding assay which allowed to deduce the following relationship between structure and activity: 1) (+/-)-diastereoisomers are more active than meso compounds 2.) the 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy (guajacyl) substitution pattern in the aromatic part is most effective 3.) the activity increases with the decline in polarity of the aliphatic part of the molecule.
J Nat Prod. 1998 Jan;61(1):119-21.
Lignans interfering with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone binding to human sex hormone-binding globulin.
Schöttner M, Spiteller G, Gansser D.
Lehrstuhl für organische Chemie, Universität Bayreuth, Germany.
Abstract
The natural lignans (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran (1), (-)-matairesinol (2), (-)-secoisolariciresinol (3), (+/-)-enterolactone (4), (+/-)-enterodiol (5), and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (6) reduce the binding of 3H-labeled 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). (-)-3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran (1) has the highest binding affinity (Ka = 3.2 +/- 1.7 x 10(6)M-1) of all lignans investigated so far; the reversibility of its binding and a double reciprocal plot suggest a competitive inhibition of the SHBG-DHT interaction. Increasing hydrophobity in the aliphatic part of the lignans (butane-1,4-diol-butanolide-tetrahydrofuran structures) leads to higher binding affinity. In the aromatic part, a 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy substitution pattern is most effective for binding to SHBG.
I do think you are going about this the correct way- try the mucuna for a few more weeks- but up the dosage to about 250-500 mg of L-Dopa- the dosage you are using is a little low. If that doesn't help anything, d/c it and start on the nettle root. By eliminating potential causes one at a time, you can troubleshoot and get to the bottom of the issue by being systematic. Normally it is one or more of the following that is causing the issue: high PRL, low T (free), high SHBG, diet (lot of high-fat foods), stress, or lack of rest. That being said- I would definitely go to the doctor if the higher dose of L-Dopa or the nettle root doesn't work....
