GRHP-2 Thyroid issues? help please

[modog]

I have been rotating GHRH-2 and Ipamorelin for six months. Until recently I've had great success with significant fat loss, improved skin and energy. Remarkably, I also had a surprising rise in total testoterone. However about three weeks ago I woke up EXTREMELY lethargic and started to gain weight without a change in routine or diet. I'm going next week to get blood work done. I'm starting to think my thyroid is low. I've since stopped the peptides and taking tyrosine and a good multi. I did have my testoterone tested again and it had dropped but still low normal. I know anyone would be guessing but is this probably thyroid? One last thing i was having periodic palpitations and they have subsided with the cessation of the peptides. My energy is a little better but retaining water and still dont feel right.
Any thoughts would be appreciated and any specific blood work test other than t3 t4 estro TT and FT? Thanks

 

[The Matrix]

Your adrenal most likely the issues which may be effected by the potential increase in thyroid. Probably had a pre existing adrenal imbalance which most americans have the thyroid may have stressed.

 

[furion]

I would add prolactin to your list. As well as causing secondary hypogonadism there is an association with subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia. Although it's a lot more common in females it's worth testing- especially if you have been using GHRH/GHRPs.
I would consider an ACTH stimulation test if there is nothing remarkable from those tests.

 

[modog]

Got labs back. My estrogen is really low <5 ref 7-42. My symptoms were sudden loss of libido and good wood, thin dry hair, serious lethargy and rapid weight gain. I am surprised about the weight gain part - 10 lbs in two weeks with a good diet. Thyroid was normal. Test was 388 ref 342 as low. Free T was 14 ref 6.8 - 21.4. I'm waiting on prolactin levels. I've had crazy soreness and bone aches off and on for years, it resolves itself only to reappear later. If you don't mind giving me a little advice, I have been reading online to try and find the best way for me to raise estrogen. I have access to HCG or will DHEA be enough? Or should I raise my T although free T is pretty good? Could the crazy weight gain be prolactin? Thanks for any input.

 

[furion]

Got labs back. My estrogen is really low <5 ref 7-42. My symptoms were sudden loss of libido and good wood, thin dry hair, serious lethargy and rapid weight gain. I am surprised about the weight gain part - 10 lbs in two weeks with a good diet. Thyroid was normal. Test was 388 ref 342 as low. Free T was 14 ref 6.8 - 21.4. I'm waiting on prolactin levels. I've had crazy soreness and bone aches off and on for years, it resolves itself only to reappear later. If you don't mind giving me a little advice, I have been reading online to try and find the best way for me to raise estrogen. I have access to HCG or will DHEA be enough? Or should I raise my T although free T is pretty good? Could the crazy weight gain be prolactin? Thanks for any input.

I would be trying to find out what is causing the abnormalities before fixing them individually. There is a very complex interplay between the pituitary, adrenals, thyroid and testicles- so you might have to be patient and potentially have more tests to identify any pathological cause. Realistically with the information you have thus far I probably wouldn't rule of a non-endocrine cause of your somatic symptoms either.

In terms of your low estrogen and what you have done so far- if it had not been suppressed pharmacologically and the symptoms you are experiencing are all acute- you would need to identify what is suppressing aromatase expression/activity. I can spitball some ideas however I'm not sure how helpful they will be.

As far as I understand- hyperprolactinemia can can inhibit FSH induced aromatase activity at the Sertoli cells- however this has not necessarily been correlated with low serum estrogen and realistically shouldn't account for very low production as it is really only one site of aromatase expression and the leydig cells account for the majority of estrogen synthesis in the testis.

There is an association of COX-2 inhibition (through use of some antiinflammatories) and suppression of aromatase expression in adipocytes- however the significance of this really only pertains to obese and inactive men- and I would imagine manifestations of this would be insidious and not acute as you have described.