I feel like I'm missing out

[Violets]

That desperate ache, that need, that feeling of something wrong - in short, my dysphoria - was gone.  It was an amazing revelation.

Even if there were no physical changes, the notable reduction of dysphoria is reason enough for me to continue taking HRT.

[Deborah]

Even if there were no physical changes, the notable reduction of dysphoria is reason enough for me to continue taking HRT.

Yes.  It's the difference between going to bed every night praying to die in my sleep and now looking forward to living to be 100.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Deborah]

hmm... this sounds like it could potentially be quite a wonderful thing.  Even though if at age 60 my HGH levels are nearly bottomed out and so 4000% increase might not multiply out to a vert large number, yet still the possibility is intriguing.

Any links to followup with research on this would be most appreciated (or PM me if you prefer)

This is a pretty good link with discussion on the research.  It's by a Dr in Canada.  https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/fasting-and-growth-hormone-physiology-part-3/

The fact that it increases seems pretty well established.  The amount that it increases in any given time period is debatable with various claims all over the internet.  However, even the conservative estimates are pretty high. 

The science is pretty simple though.  The body releases HGH when insulin is low.  By fasting one keeps it low over an extended period of time.   By eating every few hours, as most do, insulin stays elevated all the time and HGH stays low.

HGH is only one benefit to doing this.   Preventing, or curing, metabolic disorders such as diabetes is the bigger benefit.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[KayXo]

But what's the point of having high HGH if its actions are mostly mediated through IGF-1 and the latter is low?

[Deborah]

In my understanding, HGH signals the release of IGF-1.   I'm not a Dr though and am still trying to understand how it is all interrelated.  What I do understand is that it's all an interdependent system with nothing working in isolation.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Deborah]

Here we go.

https://www.hghmagazine.com/igf-1-and-hgh/

"While in the bloodstream HGH signals the liver to produce IGF-1. IGF-1 is ten times more potent than HGH, and is directly responsible for almost all of the ultimate benefits of HGH you read about."


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[KayXo]

But if the reason GH is increased is due to low IGF-1 in the first place, then that is not good. Have you ever measured your IGF-1 levels? That would more useful than measuring GH. On two separate occasions, my IGF-1 came back quite low and I don't eat for 12-14 hours, usually don't consume much carbs so...on estradiol, when levels increase, IGF-1 levels go down, same with fasting and low carb. I care more about IGF-1 than GH.

[Deborah]

GH is increased when insulin levels are low.  That then signals the liver to release IGF-1.  IGF-1 then signals to body to rebuild.  So it's all connected.

I have never had mine measured.  I suspect they are in the normal range or maybe above normal based on my general health and the way my body responds to things.  I just want to keep it that way.

After taking care of my mother at home when she was in end stage COPD I have a great paranoia about ever getting to the point of feebleness and dementia.  I will do whatever it takes right now to lower the chances of either of those things happening.  Everybody dies.  I just want to be healthy and full of vigor on my day to die (hopefully not soon, LOL)!


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[KayXo]

GH is increased when insulin levels are low.  That then signals the liver to release IGF-1.  IGF-1 then signals to body to rebuild.  So it's all connected.

GH increases when IGF-1 levels are low because IGF-1 isn't exerting as much negative feedback inhibition at the pituitary level. It's like a thermostat and so GH attempts to increase back IGF-1 levels but estradiol keeps reducing them.