Question on testosterone/estrogen

[dlrs44]

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out the best approach to take outside of surgery.  My gyne is relatively mild I guess, I'm athletic and in shape (6'0, 160 lbs.), but still it bothers me a lot.  Mine has been with me since adolescence and has fluctuated a bit over the years.  I've never taken steroids, but did smoke marijuana daily (often all day long) and also abused alcohol for several years.  I became completely sober for 6 months starting last February and after a couple months my gyne seemed to get noticeably smaller.  Then in July I started smoking (marijuana) regularly again and put on 10 or 15 lbs.  I'm guessing that my gyne has been caused by too much estrogen in my system, and I'm sure the substances have only made it worse.  I've never seen a shrink, but if I did I would tell them that I often have big mood swings, become emotional rather easily and have a tendency towards sadness/depression.  In these ways I'm just like my mother - could these also be symptoms of too much estrogen?

Anyway my real question is how do I approach this general problem?  Should I just go to a doctor (I don't have a primary care physician) and tell them my story?  Will they be able to run tests that would show whether or not I have an imbalance of estrogen to testosterone, and if so will they suggest the problem be treated in some way? 

Thanks for all of your patience out there, I'm just really trying to get a grasp on what I may be dealing with, and I haven't any knowledge about this subject.

[jsboob]

if you think you may have a testosterone/estrogen imbalance then you have to get tested. Dont buy hormones online just to try them out! its dangerous & there may be some underlying reason for the imbalance.
Its unlikely & I dont wish to scare you but some tumours can secrete hormones that can cause gyne ( & a lot more serious too!)
Go see your doc, Im sure he/she will reassure you. thats your first port of call before asking peoples "expert" advise on the internet!

Have a good new year

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Best place to start would be a complete endocrinological evaluation by an endocrine specialist.  Once you have an idea about your hormonal status, you will be in a better position to decide on what to do about your gyne.

Dr Jacobs

[Dr. Cruise]

The first thing I have to say is congratulations for getting your life together. I sounds like now you are starting to notice many of the things you never noticed when you where drinking. Alcohol excess can cause your liver to not function right which can effect your testosterone to estrogen levels. Still, I think the most pressing issue is what is going on in your head. I completely agree with Dr. Jacobs that it may be reasonable to check your hormone levels. It may be more reasonable to get plugged into a well recommended primary care doctor you can treat both your mind and check your hormone levels.