Anyone who's been around the male HRT and/or PED community will have seen that a small but significant proportion of men who use high-dose androgens for an extended period go on to develop deficient progesterone, dhea and cortisol, indicative of adrenal suppression. Moreover, the use of HCG (an LH analogue) usually does not remedy such suppression, suggesting that it is not a product of HPTA shutdown, but rather the androgen itself.
I'm trying to accumulate evidence on the exact mechanism by-which this occurs. As far as I can tell, it seems to be related to the androgens ability to reduce absolute ACTH release, whilst simultaneously desensitizing the adrenals to a given level of ACTH - both resulting in impaired adrenal steroidogenesis. Whilst a reduction in cortisol sounds like a desirable outcome, the overt deficiency that can accompany chronic, HPTA supressing use is just as detrimental as having it elevated.
Testosterone Suppression of CRH-stimulated Cortisol in Men
Effects of sex hormones on the steroidogenic activity of dispersed adrenocortical cells of the rat adrenal cortex
Adrenocorticotropic hormone‐induced secretion of cortisol in goats is inhibited by androgen
Any further studies demonstrating androgen-induced decreases in adrenal output would be greatly appreciated.
I'm trying to accumulate evidence on the exact mechanism by-which this occurs. As far as I can tell, it seems to be related to the androgens ability to reduce absolute ACTH release, whilst simultaneously desensitizing the adrenals to a given level of ACTH - both resulting in impaired adrenal steroidogenesis. Whilst a reduction in cortisol sounds like a desirable outcome, the overt deficiency that can accompany chronic, HPTA supressing use is just as detrimental as having it elevated.
Testosterone Suppression of CRH-stimulated Cortisol in Men
Effects of sex hormones on the steroidogenic activity of dispersed adrenocortical cells of the rat adrenal cortex
Adrenocorticotropic hormone‐induced secretion of cortisol in goats is inhibited by androgen
Any further studies demonstrating androgen-induced decreases in adrenal output would be greatly appreciated.
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