After much research, I hypothesized that a high fat, low carb, low fiber diet would maximize my hormonal profile. I discovered that oleic acid leads to high sex hormone binding globulin levels, which is bad for free testosterone, so I removed olive oil, avocados, almonds and most egg yolks from my diet. I increased the saturated fat component to compensate. As Faithful Readers know, my last testosterone test produced excellent results, but my free test is still lower than I want it to be. The one aspect of the low carb diet that was problematic for SHBG was chronically low insulin levels are also correlated with high SHBG levels, so to combat that, I ate as many carbs as I could and still be in ketosis. I also added MK 677, which is a growth hormone secretagogue as higher growth hormone should have offset the low insulin level’s impact on my SHBG.
For the results:
December SHBG: 60 nmol/l
January SHBG: 67 nmol/l
After that result is when I cut way back on the oleic acid and increased the saturated fats.
March SHBG: 80 nmol/l
To say I’m surprised is an understatement. I’m mildly pissed because now I’ve got to come up with another plan and I was feeling really good. The high fat diet is very satiating, so I was able to keep my calories the same (currently 2155), my weight is stable and I was never hungry. But obviously this result is not acceptable. While my total test levels are great, my free test will be even lower now as the SHBG has climbed into female territory.
I will now adjust my diet yet again, to increase the carbohydrate intake, lower the fat intake, keep the fiber to the minimum for health and test again in 45-60 day or so, if I can wait that long.
The only other option is that I have hyperthyroidism. While I am not ruling that out as a possibility, I don’t have any of the symptoms associated with it, and since my SHBG changes all came after major dietary changes, I’ll hold off on testing the T3 and T4 levels until I see how I respond to the higher carb diet.
Such is the life of the scientist. Hypothesize, test, analyze, and repeat. On the plus side, I also tested my cholesterol levels and my lipids are fabulous. Literally every level is excellent, with all ratios at or above ideal levels. I have statins to thank for that as I was never able to get lipids under control with dietary intervention.
Shout out to Derek at More Plate, More Dates who did a few videos covering keto and carnivore dieters and their blood work showing sky high SHBG levels. It’s nice to get some additional confirmation that my results are not an anomaly.
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