I am continuing this thread as I have just compiled some compelling evidence on the impact of lgd on the liver as well as some other pertinent and I feel very interesting information.
I want you to know that I am sincere in wanting to add some unbiased clarification to the subject of this relatively understudied compound. I'm not even naming source or trying to influence anyone. Personally I was quite frustrated trying to research this stuff before I decided to run a cycle. So many of the reviews/logs seem, how to put this, somewhat subjective.
I offer first a bit of background that I don't particularly like to talk about, but will in the I dunno, "name of science" I guess.
I (hate to admit it but it's the truth) was an alcoholic for many years and do have some degree of cirrhosis. I have ultrasounds and liver panel bloods every 6 months to monitor my condition. So far, since I no longer drink and take such good care of myself (diet, exercise, LIFTING), my liver is doing very well. Docs are pleased with me. Shit I'm pleased with me. 3 years ago I was near death in hospital, now up almost 50 lbs from there and lots of it muscle. So today I saw my doc about last weeks ultrasound and liver labs and everything is normal (for me). She even said, "From your labs and my physical exam I would never guess you have cirrhosis. You look nothing like any of my other cirrhosis patients". Feels good man.
Get liver panel labs roughly every six months. Wish they had done lipids on this last one but for some reason they don't always order it.
Before LGD cycle labs
Plasma (substance) Specimen
Collected on 05 Jan 2015 @ 0759 at EDWARD J. HINES JR. HOSPITAL
Test results slightly outside the reference range are not unusual. Your provider has reviewed your test results and will contact you for any important issues. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your primary care provider. If you have an amended test and you want to see the history, go to the Comments on the Details page.
Test Name Result Units Reference Range Test Details
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE 78 High U/L 10-65 Details
ALBUMIN 3.9 g/dL 3.5-5.0 Details
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 112 U/L 45-117 Details
ALPHA-1-FETOPROTEIN 1.1 ng/mL 0.0-7.9 Details
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE 46 High U/L 10-37 Details
BILIRUBIN 0.8 mg/dL 0.2-1.0 Details
On LGD cycle labs
Plasma (substance) Specimen
Collected on 25 Apr 2015 @ 0717 at EDWARD J. HINES JR. HOSPITAL
Test results slightly outside the reference range are not unusual. Your provider has reviewed your test results and will contact you for any important issues. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your primary care provider. If you have an amended test and you want to see the history, go to the Comments on the Details page.
Test Name Result Units Reference Range Test Details
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE 90 High U/L 10-65 Details
ALBUMIN 4.0 g/dL 3.5-5.0 Details
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 93 U/L 45-117 Details
ALPHA-1-FETOPROTEIN 1.3 ng/mL 0.0-7.9 Details
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE 56 High U/L 10-37 Details
BILIRUBIN 0.8 mg/dL 0.2-1.0 Details
MAGNESIUM 1.7 mg/dL 1.7-2.4 Details
The AST and ALT being slightly elevated is normal for me. Indicative of the existing damage to my liver. Still 2-3 times normal is only considered mildly elevated for anyone, so, not even a concern to myself or my docs.
I would call this pretty good evidence that lgd is quite harmless to the hepatic system. Keep in mind that as a cirrhosis patient I'm far more sensitive to any liver toxic substance than a completely healthy person and I seem to display no ill effects from the lgd I've been taking.
Another assumption based on my situation and evidence available to me.
A symptom of cirrhosis of the liver is, unfortunately, an increase in the production of the aromatase enzyme and subsequently the aromatization of testosterone (and I would assume test based androgens) into estradiol. This is true to some degree in my case, as my E2 level was 56 (slightly above normal range for males) when checked along with the testosterone levels previously posted, although my docs, as of now, aren't doing anything to regulate it. I do have mild gyno (puffy nips, small mass in lower chest, not awful really) but that is present from my drinking days. Alcohol will cause gyno, dammit(work to build upper chest extra hard and it does help make it barely noticeable).
This being the case my estradiol stays slightly above the norm range. I have not used an AI during this lgd run and exhibit no sign whatsoever of an increase in E2 level. Once again, my pre-existing conditions, cirrhosis and pre-existing mild gyno, renders me far more sensitive to any rise in those levels than a healthy person, yet I seem unaffected.
I submit that this favors the statements that LGD, in fact, does not affect estradiol levels.
One other area I would like to touch on is the claims that while LGD causes a signifigant drop in natural testosterone levels, it has a lesser negative affect on LH and FSH.
My knowledge of this is admittedly limited, but, from what I understand, LH can not be unaffected when near total cessation of natural testosterone production has occured.
Little weird here, but this is science dammit. FSH stimulates the production of sperm. I have a microscope. Put a "sample" under it for examination. There are very few swimmers at the pool today. Normally it's like a water park on memorial day ok.
The notion that a compound could effect such severe hpta suppression without greatly reducing LH and FSH levels seems unlikely.
My humble conclusion: It shuts you down hard as anything, but true to claims, the sides seem to be quite negligible.
So, as you see, what I am trying to do is use the mistake of my past as a rare opportunity to share some information that quite frankly may not otherwise ever be available. I'm pretty much guinea pigging myself right now. Tell me this, what researcher in their right mind would actually knowingly test a substance like this on a cirrhosis patient. None. Hey, this means in a way I'm actually using a research chemical for actual research. But you must understand that my unique situation does bring to light some fairly conclusive evidence about ldg do you not agree. I understand much of this information has been stated before, but I submit that I offer somewhat more compelling evidence.
Thank you for reading.
Comments, questions, corrections are most welcome.
