The Estrogen Fuel Map
Low 5AR, dose peaks, low SHBG, and tissue conversion hand aromatase extra fuel—spot it fast.
Most guys blame high estrogen on a “bad enzyme.”
Often it’s not an enzyme problem. It’s a supply problem.
If there’s more substrate—more testosterone/androstenedione/DHEA floating around or routed away from 5-alpha reduction—aromatase doesn’t need to be “overactive” to push E2 up. It just converts what you give it.
As you can see in the graph, DHEA → androstenedione, which can then convert to testosterone, estrone or 5alpha-dione. Estrone can then convert to estradiol. Testosterone in turn can be converted to DHT or estradiol, or back to androstenedione (which can then convert to estrone).
Which is why DHEA and testosterone can increase both 5-alpha reduced steroids and estrone and estradiol and it all depends on which pathways dominate.
That’s why you can feel estrogenic on TRT/hCG, after adding DHEA, with low SHBG, or while taking 5-alpha-reductase blockers. The pool gets bigger. More flows into estrogen. Simple chemistry.
This article maps the substrate side of the equation, in plain English:
the common sources of extra fuel (low 5AR, meds/botanicals, TRT/hCG peaks, DHEA, SHBG dynamics, tissue enzymes);
the patterns to spot (normal T + low DHT, E2 spikes on dose days, low-SHBG profiles);
the labs and a 5-minute self-audit to confirm it.
Read this before chasing more inhibitors. Fix the fuel first, then your androgens go where you want them into performance, not puffiness.