@heapsreal thanks for explaining that there are different pathways.
Sorry to ask more questions, just wondering if you know what tests I ask for (whether it's GP or a private clinic)?
Are there charts somewhere, where I can get information on how to read the results?
Test your main hormones so morning cortisol, dhea, testosterone and free testosterone, estrogen/e2, progesterone, prolactin, pregnenolone but not a common test but have read that some docs look for a rise in progesterone but preg can increase any hormone. These are mostly adrenal and sex hormones.
As far as reading results, most hormones would be at a good level in the upper third of the range. For guys high prolactin can cause fatigue issues etc so good to have low end of the range. Estrogen is important for guys as its very protective of blood vessels/heart disease and insulin sensitivity, so keeping it in the midrange would be good, not too low. Cortisol is good to have high normal range but it should taper down by the end of the day or it can be an issue with sleep. But start with morning blood test, later on can do a cortisol saliva test 4 x times a day if needed.
But pregnenolone has effects on its own like better energy and has neurotransmitter effects. But some cfsers do have bad effects with preg but its trial and error. Start low and go slow. Normal dose os around 50mg to 100mg, good to get 5mg tabs at first and slowly taper up. When you get to a dose you feel ok on, then look at doing the hormone tests. If looking at optimising all hormones, consider doing 1 hormone at a time.
For hormone info google antiaging hormones and hormone optimising.
