Is it possible for a healthy level of T to co-exist with an elevated Estradiol/E2 level?
The reason I ask is because I suspect that, due to varicocele, I might have elevated E2 as I think I may have gynocomastia in one breast.
Does elevated E2 cause gynocomastia? Can you have healthy T level but still get gyno due to elevated E2?
Many men have decent testosterone and elevated estradiol. However, I think where JackAndy was headed was this: as you put on weight, your estradiol tends to rise AND your testosterone begins to fall in a man with a fairly normal functioning HPA and testes. So you'll tend to see lower T with higher E2 in this case of being overweight. Again, if you can afford it, it's always good to get tested and find out where you stand imo.
As you start to go hypogonadal things change, of course, but that's not what your talking about here.
Yes, elevated E2 is a big factor in gyno but not the only factor. Notice that this study says that it is the ratio of T/E2 that seems to matter:
http://journals.lww.com/nuclearmed/Abstract/1998/11000/Ga_67_Uptake_by_the_Male_Breast_Under_Digitalis.16But gynocomastia is actually pretty complex and not understood all the way. Look at all the factors they have found that can influence it including prolactin, hyperthyroidism and various medications. It's not just steroid hormone plasma levels that count but also tissue receptors in the breast (if you'll pardon the expression) tissue of men.
Here is some more info if you haven't seen it:
http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Gynocomastia_Prevention
