pumpedUpPapi
New member
I wanted to take a moment to highlight the importance of estrogen levels during and off cycle, especially when it comes to achieving and maintaining your bodybuilding goals. I've mentioned this before, but I keep getting questions in private messages about it, so I think it’s worth revisiting.
A common concern I hear is something like, "I feel flat, sluggish, or I'm not seeing results, even though my testosterone levels are sky-high. What’s going on?" Often, the immediate response is that “my receptors are fried” or “they’re burned out.” While this can be a factor, the real issue may lie elsewhere.
When I ask, "What’s your estradiol level?" I’m often met with answers like, "It’s around 100 or 150." And right there is the problem.
As estrogen increases, so does SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). SHBG binds to testosterone and essentially "hides" it, preventing your body from fully utilizing the testosterone you’re producing. This can make your high testosterone levels seem irrelevant because a significant portion of it is being "bound up" and rendered less effective. So, while your testosterone levels may look great on paper, if SHBG is too high, you’re only getting a fraction of the benefits, which can derail your progress both on and off cycle.
Maintaining a healthy estrogen balance is just as important—if not more important—than keeping your testosterone levels elevated. In fact, if you check your bloodwork post-PCT and notice your estradiol is high, even at the end of a cycle, consider adjusting your aromatase inhibitor (AI). A small dose (like a half-tab every other day) for a couple of weeks can help bring it back into range, allowing your testosterone to be more effective.
It's crucial to understand that estrogen isn't something to eliminate completely—especially during your off-cycle or natural test boosting phases. A small amount of estrogen is actually beneficial for muscle gains, recovery, and overall health. Ideally, estradiol should fall in the range of 28-50 pg/mL, and it should only be significantly reduced for short periods during a pre-competition "dry-out" phase. If your estradiol level is over 80, even if your testosterone is high, your progress will be compromised.
There’s much more to high estrogen than just SHBG—it can lead to a range of other issues that can negatively impact your results. So, don’t neglect estrogen levels when planning your cycles and training.
Take the time to check your hormone levels regularly, and adjust accordingly. If you’ve experienced similar issues share your stories!
A common concern I hear is something like, "I feel flat, sluggish, or I'm not seeing results, even though my testosterone levels are sky-high. What’s going on?" Often, the immediate response is that “my receptors are fried” or “they’re burned out.” While this can be a factor, the real issue may lie elsewhere.
When I ask, "What’s your estradiol level?" I’m often met with answers like, "It’s around 100 or 150." And right there is the problem.
As estrogen increases, so does SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). SHBG binds to testosterone and essentially "hides" it, preventing your body from fully utilizing the testosterone you’re producing. This can make your high testosterone levels seem irrelevant because a significant portion of it is being "bound up" and rendered less effective. So, while your testosterone levels may look great on paper, if SHBG is too high, you’re only getting a fraction of the benefits, which can derail your progress both on and off cycle.
Maintaining a healthy estrogen balance is just as important—if not more important—than keeping your testosterone levels elevated. In fact, if you check your bloodwork post-PCT and notice your estradiol is high, even at the end of a cycle, consider adjusting your aromatase inhibitor (AI). A small dose (like a half-tab every other day) for a couple of weeks can help bring it back into range, allowing your testosterone to be more effective.
It's crucial to understand that estrogen isn't something to eliminate completely—especially during your off-cycle or natural test boosting phases. A small amount of estrogen is actually beneficial for muscle gains, recovery, and overall health. Ideally, estradiol should fall in the range of 28-50 pg/mL, and it should only be significantly reduced for short periods during a pre-competition "dry-out" phase. If your estradiol level is over 80, even if your testosterone is high, your progress will be compromised.
There’s much more to high estrogen than just SHBG—it can lead to a range of other issues that can negatively impact your results. So, don’t neglect estrogen levels when planning your cycles and training.
Take the time to check your hormone levels regularly, and adjust accordingly. If you’ve experienced similar issues share your stories!
