I agree that to use precursors that are less expensive is ideal - i've been consuming so much cholesterol for a few months in order to hopefully improve hormone levels, after years of not due to "it's bad for you" media brain-washing.
I haven't found any change hormonally (estrogen, progest.testo) since higher fat consumption so wonder if i have conversion problems.
The metal thing is interesting as i recently read that low progesterone can cause a copper retention, and low zinc.
I'm a high copper, low zinc which i've been addressing with zinc orotate.