question from a user

Some questions about how SHBG works: A lot of guys here and elsewhere talk about taking either supplements or medication specifically to lower SHBG, to "increase free T" As I understand, SHBG can neither create nor destroy testosterone, only store or transport it. I would think that this means altering SHBG levels is a relatively futile endeavor, as it will only change total T levels without changing free T levels. My understanding is that free T levels are most important when it comes to the positive and negative effects of TRT, and total T becomes important as a buffer to maintain T levels My own example of this: my provider prescribed low dose anavar specifically to lower SHBG, with the hope of increasing free t while total T stays the same (roughly). What actually happened was my free T stayed the same while total T lowered. I liken it to a water storage tank: we dump water in at the top, either in infrequent great big bucketfuls (injections, the size of the "bucket" can vary quite a abit based on protocol) or smaller more frequent cupfuls (natural production throughout the day). There is a drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Closing the valve is like raising SHBG. The water level increases (higher total T if you will) until the higher pressure at the bottom causes outflow to again equal inflow and the waterline stays at a new higher level. Opening the valve causes the opposite effects (like lowering SHBG) I would argue that the "effective" supplements or meds are actually doing the following: lowering SHBG while simultaneously increasing testosterone production rate. This would be like dumping more water into the tank above while opening the drain valve at the same time. Balance the adjustments of the two variables and you can get the level to remain the same as before. In theory. Applying the above to lab test results, we'd see total T change little, while free T increases noticably. So is the above analogy and my "theory" totally bunk? Does the free T increase come about from another mechanism I don't understand, instead of directly from the lowering of SHBG while production rate stays the same? What am I missing, and is there a better, simpler way to understand what's going on here? How could the testosterone ester be explained, as I don't think my above analogy properly accounts for it (maybe it's more like two tanks, we dump into one, then it overflows into another?) If you got through the above text wall and have some thoughts to share, thank you!