Please help!

[hoteacher]

WOW! It has been about three yrs since I have posted and elite has changed quite a bit...I am sorry for the lengthy post, but in order to explain my story, I had to share some details. First, I am in hormonal hell. I started competing about four years ago, I did three shows and was very lucky to have won all three. My first two shows were back to back, two weeks apart...It was AMAZING how my body responded to the dieting...I DID NO CARDIO and had shredded glutes at 6 weeks out...I did not one fat burner and no clen...all I did was 2.5 mg of anavar daily and then upped to 5mg about 6 weeks out. I then went off of everything and 8 months later did another show...this one NOT EASY AT ALL...I COULD NOT lose fat to save my life. My trainer put me on clen, fat burners, and I did the anavar again...I won, but by far the most misarable show prep EVER. I then ended up breaking my leg in an accident 7 months later and have struggled with legs, cannot squat without immense pain, etc. I broke my leg almost two years ago...For about 6 years now I have been eating super clean and have continued lifting and doing interval cardio...I only missed three days in the gym when I had femur surgery. After my last show, about 3 years ago, I was still super tired and went to teh dr. He was amazed at the fact I had NO HOROMONES. He put me on estrogen, test, T3 and SYNTHROID. I of course had HUGE FEARS of getting fat, so I did not take the estrogen, took the test for a short while, but I got acne so I stopped, I took the T3 (15mcgs twice a day) and the synthroid, 25mcgs once daily. I have now been taking the T3 and Synthroid for three years...I have also used the anavar for 20 weeks on, then three weeks off for the past three years.

RECENT HISTORY: For about 7 months, I was a bad girl and all about convenience. I ate nothing but whey protein pwdr, blended with egg beaters and a handful of cereal with out sugar. I ate that about 7 times a day...then I STARTED TO NOTICE CHANGES...I was GETTING FATTER...I have been a size 0 FOREVER...I went to size, 2, then a size 4 and now barely fit into the 4. I have also been at aobut 8-12%body fat for about 6 years...I had it tested and it is now 23%!! I refuse to get on the scale, as I see it as a measure of nothing. I read about overtraining, WIlsons Syndrome, Adrenal GLand failure and Thyroid failure. SO...I decided to get my blood checked again.

MY TSH-.01, ALMOST NOT IN EXISTANCE
MY T3- OFF THE CHARTS HIGH
T4-Not done and not sure why
CORTISOL-19, high but not out of range
Cholesterol-VERY LOW
HDL-VERY VERY LOW
Estrogen-VERY LOW
TEST-LOW, BUT IN RANGE, I assume due to the anavar

OKAY...SO I am gaining tons of fat, have a VERY LOW BODY TEMP, ranges from 95-96 throughout day...I have been on 5mg of anavar daily for three weeks and HAVE GOTTEN MY PERIOD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 YRS...I HAVE BAD ACNE ON MY FACE and I AM EXTREMELY DEPRESSED AND HAVE NO REASON TO BE EXCEPT FOR I LOOK LIKE CRAP...BUT HONESTLY, I CAN GET OVER THAT...I REALLY AM SAD ALL OF THE TIME AND MY LIFE IS FANTASTIC..GREAT JOB, GREAT BOYFRIEND, GREAT EVERYTHING!

LAST LITTLE TIDBIT-I read that at times your body can freak out months after a tragic event...Five months ago, I went through the worse hell I have ever experienced, I got a divorce and it was very difficult.

I am seeing an endocronologist in two weeks, but in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this. Can you really get your period on anavar?

Thanks sooo much!

 

[OneBreath]

Welcome back. I'm sorry things aren't going so well. I'll certainly let females comment on the hormone issues. I just wanted to contribute that the low HDL is probably from the anavar. It can easily drop into the single digits quickly. It will recover in a few months after stopping the anavar. A clean diet and EFAs will help recovery.

Good luck and hang in there!

 

[Thandie]

WOW! It has been about three yrs since I have posted and elite has changed quite a bit...I am sorry for the lengthy post, but in order to explain my story, I had to share some details. First, I am in hormonal hell. I started competing about four years ago, I did three shows and was very lucky to have won all three. My first two shows were back to back, two weeks apart...It was AMAZING how my body responded to the dieting...I DID NO CARDIO and had shredded glutes at 6 weeks out...I did not one fat burner and no clen...all I did was 2.5 mg of anavar daily and then upped to 5mg about 6 weeks out. I then went off of everything and 8 months later did another show...this one NOT EASY AT ALL...I COULD NOT lose fat to save my life. My trainer put me on clen, fat burners, and I did the anavar again...I won, but by far the most misarable show prep EVER. I then ended up breaking my leg in an accident 7 months later and have struggled with legs, cannot squat without immense pain, etc. I broke my leg almost two years ago...For about 6 years now I have been eating super clean and have continued lifting and doing interval cardio...I only missed three days in the gym when I had femur surgery. After my last show, about 3 years ago, I was still super tired and went to teh dr. He was amazed at the fact I had NO HOROMONES. He put me on estrogen, test, T3 and SYNTHROID. I of course had HUGE FEARS of getting fat, so I did not take the estrogen, took the test for a short while, but I got acne so I stopped, I took the T3 (15mcgs twice a day) and the synthroid, 25mcgs once daily. I have now been taking the T3 and Synthroid for three years...I have also used the anavar for 20 weeks on, then three weeks off for the past three years.

RECENT HISTORY: For about 7 months, I was a bad girl and all about convenience. I ate nothing but whey protein pwdr, blended with egg beaters and a handful of cereal with out sugar. I ate that about 7 times a day...then I STARTED TO NOTICE CHANGES...I was GETTING FATTER...I have been a size 0 FOREVER...I went to size, 2, then a size 4 and now barely fit into the 4. I have also been at aobut 8-12%body fat for about 6 years...I had it tested and it is now 23%!! I refuse to get on the scale, as I see it as a measure of nothing. I read about overtraining, WIlsons Syndrome, Adrenal GLand failure and Thyroid failure. SO...I decided to get my blood checked again.

MY TSH-.01, ALMOST NOT IN EXISTANCE
MY T3- OFF THE CHARTS HIGH
T4-Not done and not sure why
CORTISOL-19, high but not out of range
Cholesterol-VERY LOW
HDL-VERY VERY LOW
Estrogen-VERY LOW
TEST-LOW, BUT IN RANGE, I assume due to the anavar

OKAY...SO I am gaining tons of fat, have a VERY LOW BODY TEMP, ranges from 95-96 throughout day...I have been on 5mg of anavar daily for three weeks and HAVE GOTTEN MY PERIOD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 YRS...I HAVE BAD ACNE ON MY FACE and I AM EXTREMELY DEPRESSED AND HAVE NO REASON TO BE EXCEPT FOR I LOOK LIKE CRAP...BUT HONESTLY, I CAN GET OVER THAT...I REALLY AM SAD ALL OF THE TIME AND MY LIFE IS FANTASTIC..GREAT JOB, GREAT BOYFRIEND, GREAT EVERYTHING!

LAST LITTLE TIDBIT-I read that at times your body can freak out months after a tragic event...Five months ago, I went through the worse hell I have ever experienced, I got a divorce and it was very difficult.

I am seeing an endocronologist in two weeks, but in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this. Can you really get your period on anavar?

Thanks sooo much!

Hi and welcome!

You have three things here going for you.
You need to check your hormones with an endocrinologist; You need to clean up your diet, which is one of the reasons why you're gaining weight and stress does incredible damage to our minds and bodies.
I don't know much about anavar or any other gear, but your hormones going so low, could that be a function of the anavar?
Someone more qualified will come along and chime in.

However, if you post your diet in more detail as to what you eat and drink all day, I can give you some direction.

 

[hoteacher]

In regards to diet...I thought that was my issue bc I ate clean for TOOO long, never cheating and ALWAYS HIGH PROTEIN and LOW CARB....then only eating whey and eggs and little bits of cereal. I now am eating a precomp diet at about 1500 calories and limiting carbs to am and pre and post workout...

DIET was this fashion before my 8 m of eggs and protein and is now the following (this is what I was eating before my egg sint and is what I ate, so I have ALWAYS ATE CLEAN)

MEAL ONE: 1/2 cup bunnies (cereal made from oats, that is gluten free and no sugar) and one scoop 100 whey isolate.
(WORKOUT)
MEAL TWO: 1/2 steel cut oats, 1 scoop whey isolate
Meal Three: 1 cup steamed veggies, 4 oz chicken or tuna, or 96 percent lean ground beef
Meal Four: 1 cup steamed veggies, 4 oz chicken or tuna, or 96 percent lean ground beef, 2 table spoons almonds, about 20.
Meal Five: Same as meal three
Meal Six: Same as meal four

Thanks!

 

[Thandie]

In regards to diet...I thought that was my issue bc I ate clean for TOOO long, never cheating and ALWAYS HIGH PROTEIN and LOW CARB....then only eating whey and eggs and little bits of cereal. I now am eating a precomp diet at about 1500 calories and limiting carbs to am and pre and post workout...

DIET was this fashion before my 8 m of eggs and protein and is now the following (this is what I was eating before my egg sint and is what I ate, so I have ALWAYS ATE CLEAN)

MEAL ONE: 1/2 cup bunnies (cereal made from oats, that is gluten free and no sugar) and one scoop 100 whey isolate.(Have instead, steel cuts oats and 3 to 4 eggwhites.
(WORKOUT)
MEAL TWO: 1/2 steel cut oats, 1 scoop whey isolate (If you work out in the morning, have the pd post workout WITHOUT the oatmeal)
Meal Three: 1 cup steamed veggies, 4 oz chicken or tuna, or 96 percent lean ground beef ( You should add starch carbs such as sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa, or couscous)
Meal Four: 1 cup steamed veggies, 4 oz chicken or tuna, or 96 percent lean ground beef, 2 table spoons almonds, about 20. (Same here. Add other carbs)
Meal Five: Same as meal three ( Last 2 meals you can have protein with green vegetables since you don't want the starchy carbs to convert into fat while you sleep)
Meal Six: Same as meal four

Thanks!

Your diet is clean, but not clean enough for your purpose and not clean enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Protein drinks ARE processed foods, so is best to keep it CLEAN, or WHOLE.
So, I'll give you a few suggestions.
In addition to what I highlighted, try to keep your protein meals between 2.5 to 3.5 at the most. 4g is too much protein to digest, especially when you'll be having another meal soon thereafter. The reason for the frequent meals is to have small meals therefore you wont be storing much fat. But when you have as much as 4oz (for a woman) it becomes too much.

As I always mention, drink lots of water and drink green tea and you'll be on your way.

 

[Tatyana]

Hi and nice to have you back.

I can see several possible issues emerging:

- your T3 dose may be too high

- your T4 (synthroid) dose is too low, most people who are hypothyroid need close to 100 micrograms/day.

T3 is going to suppress your thyroid gland more strongly than T4. T4 will be converted in your peripheral tissues to T3. Typically, the natural release of thyroid hormones is 80% T4 and 20% T3, yours is not even close to this.


Did you have blood work to monitor your treatment previous to this? Typically, you should have it measured every two months and then at least every six months to a year to ensure the dose is correct.

Low carbohydrate diets are also known to suppress the thyroid gland.

Some people are far more sensitive to this, I know that this sort of diet does not suit me at all.

- not taking oestrogen is not going to help you. Oestrogen aromatises to testosterone, it is also anabolic. The combination to testosterone and oestrogen is more anabolic than testosterone alone. Oestrogen also allows women to have a much healthier lipid/fat profile in their bloodstream.

- what sort of healthy fats are you eating? Cholesterol is the building block for all the sex steroid hormones, so without the first block, you are not going to be able to make any endogenous (your own) hormones

- contrary to popular belief, women may need PCT. Did you try anything like clomid, which will have you produce more LH/FSH which in turn will get your ovaries working again.

There are also other synthetic gonadotrophins (LH/FSH) that the endocrinologist may prescribe if clomid doesn't cut it.

Did you have any other blood work done?

You really do need a free T4, LH/FSH, liver profile, progesterone, DHEA, SHBG to get a more complete picture.

Would you mind saying how old you are?

 

[Thandie]

Hi and nice to have you back.

I can see several possible issues emerging:

- your T3 dose may be too high

- your T4 (synthroid) dose is too low, most people who are hypothyroid need close to 100 micrograms/day.

T3 is going to suppress your thyroid gland more strongly than T4. T4 will be converted in your peripheral tissues to T3. Typically, the natural release of thyroid hormones is 80% T4 and 20% T3, yours is not even close to this.


Did you have blood work to monitor your treatment previous to this? Typically, you should have it measured every two months and then at least every six months to a year to ensure the dose is correct.

Low carbohydrate diets are also known to suppress the thyroid gland.

Some people are far more sensitive to this, I know that this sort of diet does not suit me at all.

- not taking oestrogen is not going to help you. Oestrogen aromatises to testosterone, it is also anabolic. The combination to testosterone and oestrogen is more anabolic than testosterone alone. Oestrogen also allows women to have a much healthier lipid/fat profile in their bloodstream.

- what sort of healthy fats are you eating? Cholesterol is the building block for all the sex steroid hormones, so without the first block, you are not going to be able to make any endogenous (your own) hormones

- contrary to popular belief, women may need PCT. Did you try anything like clomid, which will have you produce more LH/FSH which in turn will get your ovaries working again.

There are also other synthetic gonadotrophins (LH/FSH) that the endocrinologist may prescribe if clomid doesn't cut it.

Did you have any other blood work done?

You really do need a free T4, LH/FSH, liver profile, progesterone, DHEA, SHBG to get a more complete picture.

Would you mind saying how old you are?

Tat is very knowledgeable about thyroid issues. Forgot to tell you to be careful with the low carbs.
Yes, how old are you? If you don't mind..

 

[Tatyana]

My trainer put me on clen, fat burners, and I did the anavar again...I won, but by far the most misarable show prep EVER. I then ended up breaking my leg in an accident 7 months later and have struggled with legs, cannot squat without immense pain, etc. I broke my leg almost two years ago...For about 6 years now I have been eating super clean and have continued lifting and doing interval cardio...I only missed three days in the gym when I had femur surgery.

After my last show, about 3 years ago, I was still super tired and went to teh dr. He was amazed at the fact I had NO HOROMONES.

I just thought of another couple of things.

How long was it between ending the cycle you were on and getting the blood work done?

Can you remember what sort of doses you were taking?

How much anavar are you taking currently in your twenty weeks on and three weeks off?

 

[hoteacher]

First of all...I want to thank you from the absolute bottom of my heart for your responses...this has been SO frustrating. I have always been the hardest training girl in the gym and I used to have results that showed that...now I am just plain out frustrated! I am 34 yrs old, never had any children...maybe someday. I am currently taking 2.5 mg of anavar...once daily before my workouts. HAve you ever heard of anavar bringing on a period? I just think it is so strange that after 5, almost 6 yrs of no period now here we go...I am just so tired of feeling bloated and fat...and like I said, my bodyfat maintained at 8-12 percent for 6 YEARS...no problem, howver no period either. I have been on anavar off and on for about 4 years, but never exceeding 5 mg a day. I will be seeing the endocronologist next week and I assume I will get more bloodwork. The liver was fine, so was DHEA, and progesterone very low...I was on 2.5 mg when I had bloodwork done...TEST was low, but in range. I just dont know if I should stop the var or not...I am SO afraid that dieting like this to loose this fat is going to lose my muscle by the T3 I am on, but afraid to stop or cut down the t3 for fear I will gain more fat...I am scared to tell the dr that I have taken anavar..just in this really vicious cycle right now and dont know what to do.

 

[Tatyana]

First of all...I want to thank you from the absolute bottom of my heart for your responses...this has been SO frustrating. I have always been the hardest training girl in the gym and I used to have results that showed that...now I am just plain out frustrated! I am 34 yrs old, never had any children...maybe someday. I am currently taking 2.5 mg of anavar...once daily before my workouts. HAve you ever heard of anavar bringing on a period? I just think it is so strange that after 5, almost 6 yrs of no period now here we go...I am just so tired of feeling bloated and fat...and like I said, my bodyfat maintained at 8-12 percent for 6 YEARS...no problem, howver no period either. I have been on anavar off and on for about 4 years, but never exceeding 5 mg a day. I will be seeing the endocronologist next week and I assume I will get more bloodwork. The liver was fine, so was DHEA, and progesterone very low...I was on 2.5 mg when I had bloodwork done...TEST was low, but in range. I just dont know if I should stop the var or not...I am SO afraid that dieting like this to loose this fat is going to lose my muscle by the T3 I am on, but afraid to stop or cut down the t3 for fear I will gain more fat...I am scared to tell the dr that I have taken anavar..just in this really vicious cycle right now and dont know what to do.

How did you measure your bodyfat?

8-12 % is seriously low bodyfat for a woman, and to maintain that is no easy task.

I would think that your periods stopped because of the low bodyfat, and now that you are a normal bodyfat for a woman, you have your period. I don't think it has anything to do with the anavar.

I think one other source of the issues you have been having are related to the low bodyfat.

It is debated, but around 12-14% bodyfat is considered essential bodyfat for women, under that, no periods. As you have had ammenorrhoea (no periods) for six years, you were more than likely under your essential bodyfat.

The physiological response to your body thinking that it has been starving for so long is going to be rebound. It is also very difficult to put on any mass, or maintain muscle at a very low bodyfat, which is why most competitive bodybuilders have an offseason where they put on weight, and fat again.

I would try and maintain an offseason bodyfat of around 16-20%, this is considered very lean for a woman, athletic, and it is also thought to be optimum bodyfat for muscle gain.

There is one thread (and several sites on the net) that is related to what I think you have been experiencing, it is called 'The Minnesota Starvation Study'.

This low bodyfat, a lack of a wide range of whole foods, may have given you some nutritional deficiencies, as well as the hormone imbalances.

A very low cholesterol is not healthy, it is a sign of malnutrition, and it can also contribute to depression.

The anavar was not prescribed by the doctor?

I would recommend you tell him/her what you have done, it is going to be a bit of a task to get your hormones regulated again, and not having all the facts will only make it more difficult.

I would also recommend you start taking multivitamins and minerals, as well as expanding your diet to include more whole natural foods.

What was your albumin in your liver function test?