Been back on the Androgel, but no libido

[Daniel_IMT_Staff]

Hello,

Do you have any labs from when the Androgel was working for you? Ever thought of switching to injections? It may be the best course of action. Do you feel alleviated from the rest of your low T symptoms on the androgel this time around?

A lot of good advice in this thread. Testing your prolactin levels and getting your e2 up a little should be your next to do's. Zoloft could very well be the culprit but to narrow it down to be the sole cause of the lack of libido is difficult.

 

[ezed413]

Hello,

Do you have any labs from when the Androgel was working for you? Ever thought of switching to injections? It may be the best course of action. Do you feel alleviated from the rest of your low T symptoms on the androgel this time around?

A lot of good advice in this thread. Testing your prolactin levels and getting your e2 up a little should be your next to do's. Zoloft could very well be the culprit but to narrow it down to be the sole cause of the lack of libido is difficult.

Unfortunately I do not have any labs. Yes, androgel has alleviated some of my symptoms. I have considered injections. I'll ask about them next appointment. So I should get my prolactin checked? What would cause prolactin to be high? How can I get my E2 up, just stop taking arimidex for a while. Was it possible that I had low E2 when my TT was 350 before starting TRT?

 

[Daniel_IMT_Staff]

Hello,

Get a full hormone panel and checking the prolactin can be good as it can affect your libido. I don't know in your case what could cause elevated prolactin, many medications cause high prolactin. But you want to eliminate the possibility that prolactin is causing it.

Yes, many times low e2 is seen when tT is low. Sometimes high e2 can be found with low tT as estrogen can suppress your HPTA.

Pharmacological causes of hyperprolactinemia
Pharmacological causes of hyperprolactinemia

 

[ezed413]

I forgot to mention, I had my adrenals checked about 3 - 4 months ago, and my doctor said I have adrenal fatigue. He prescribed 25mg of pregnenolone. My DHEA was very low, so I have been supplementing with this. Maybe I should stop taking DHEA. And I am really wondering how effective the pregnenolone is. Maybe this is causing my low libido.

 

[JOWS7]

Could you give a complete history with labs and a list of medications/supplements you are on or have been on in the past? Ever been on an anti-depressant?

 

[ezed413]

Could you give a complete history with labs and a list of medications/supplements you are on or have been on in the past? Ever been on an anti-depressant?

Yes, I was on zoloft for about 5 years, quit that about 5 years ago. Presently taking wellbutrin.

 

[ezed413]

Honestly I don't believe in the whole if you get nighttime wood your E is in the sweet spot.
Everytime I've had nighttime wood my E has been low. Guys would just use this as an indicator, bro science imo.
Morning wood is a different story though.

By the way, guys on 500mgs a week test steroid cycles generally take .25mg arimide EoD, keep that in mind.

Jomamma007,
I wonder if I should just stop taking the arimidex, and see if I exhibit any symptoms of high e2. What would I need to look out for?
Haven't taken in 3 days.

 

[Alpin]

Why were you on ADEX in the first place ?
Run the Gel a month or so and get labs and then see if Estradiol is too high or Low.
Low Estradiol absolutely impacts wood.
You would have an awesome libido with the TT you have if your Estradiol was in optimal range.
Is your Estradiol regular panel or Sensitive panel ?
in Pg/ml ?

 

[Alpin]

Jomamma007,
I wonder if I should just stop taking the arimidex, and see if I exhibit any symptoms of high e2. What would I need to look out for?
Haven't taken in 3 days.

-Higher BP
-Irritability
-Insomnia mild to moderate in some cases
- Panic Attacks, Anxiety
-Increased water retention

A lot of the symptoms of High E2 can be Low Estradiol as well.
If you have sore Joints, that's a tell tale sign for low Estradiol (at least for me)

 

[Alpin]

B.T.W.
Welcome to TRT....
the constant challenge to keep E2 in check.

 

[Alpin]

Yes, I was on zoloft for about 5 years, quit that about 5 years ago. Presently taking wellbutrin.

I'd look to ween off the welbutrin when on TRT...
I was on it when on TRT as well years back....
def. there was no need for wellbutrin at the time when on TRT, IMO....
T stimulates dopamine and Wellbutin is an NDRI....
don't know I u wanna have all that dopamine stimulation.

 

[ezed413]

Why were you on ADEX in the first place ?
Run the Gel a month or so and get labs and then see if Estradiol is too high or Low.
Low Estradiol absolutely impacts wood.
You would have an awesome libido with the TT you have if your Estradiol was in optimal range.
Is your Estradiol regular panel or Sensitive panel ?
in Pg/ml ?

When I first started the gel the doctor tested my total estrogen, and it was high. So he put me on arimidex.

 

[ezed413]

I'd look to ween off the welbutrin when on TRT...
I was on it when on TRT as well years back....
def. there was no need for wellbutrin at the time when on TRT, IMO....
T stimulates dopamine and Wellbutin is an NDRI....
don't know I u wanna have all that dopamine stimulation.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[ezed413]

B.T.W.
Welcome to TRT....
the constant challenge to keep E2 in check.

Thanks.

 

[ezed413]

-Higher BP
-Irritability
-Insomnia mild to moderate in some cases
- Panic Attacks, Anxiety
-Increased water retention

A lot of the symptoms of High E2 can be Low Estradiol as well.
If you have sore Joints, that's a tell tale sign for low Estradiol (at least for me)

I really don't have any of those symptoms. I am finding it extremely hard to lose weight though. I just took .25mg of adex because it's been 3 days. Although I don't have the symptoms, i feel I'm not optimal because of my low libido.

 

[Alpin]

When I first started the gel the doctor tested my total estrogen, and it was high. So he put me on arimidex.

how high was the Estradiol ?
What strength(dose) of gel were u using ?
If it was not that high from the get go...
.25 mg ADEX E3D will def. lower it.
I'm on HCG and T and can feel it kill libido, wood so far.

 

[ezed413]

how high was the Estradiol ?
What strength(dose) of gel were u using ?
If it was not that high from the get go...
.25 mg ADEX E3D will def. lower it.
I'm on HCG and T and can feel it kill libido, wood so far.

That's the thing, it was not just estradiol, it was a total estrogen.

 

[Alpin]

That's the thing, it was not just estradiol, it was a total estrogen.

never tested "total" estrogen. I deal with reg. panel Estradiol.

 

[newtohrt]

Check your SHBG

never tested "total" estrogen. I deal with reg. panel Estradiol.

I would recommend checking your SHBG as well. Speaking as a guy with low SHBG and for whom libido is only a memory, no matter how "dialed in" I am on paper, I'd definitely take a look. Sadly though, if its low, there does not seem to be much that can be done to raise it, whereas if its high, it can be lowered.

 

[ezed413]

I would recommend checking your SHBG as well. Speaking as a guy with low SHBG and for whom libido is only a memory, no matter how "dialed in" I am on paper, I'd definitely take a look. Sadly though, if its low, there does not seem to be much that can be done to raise it, whereas if its high, it can be lowered.

I would think that low is a good thing, no? How can it be lowered, stinging nettles?