SSRI Relationship?

[JOWS6]

Hey guys. I came across this website jus' now looking for answers for my low testosterone. Last February, I noticed a decrease in libido but I attributed it to the seasonal changes. As spring and summer came around and still lacking a sex drive, I made an appointment to check out my testosterone levels. It came back very low, both TT and FT (I wasn't even within range). The general doctor quickly prescribed Androgel but I wanted to see what was going on before opting for TRT.

I am still looking into the best viable option for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and also looking to correct my testosterone defficiency without using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if possible. I was wondering if there was any link between the anti-depressant, Lexapro and hypogonadism. I was placed on Lexapro in 2003 for anxiety. After horrible side effects, a few weeks later I felt pretty good but as the years passed I was going through andropause unbeknownst to me. I am always tossing this idea around my head that the SSRI may be to blame for my low testosterone levels. I am hesitant in starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as opposed to dropping the Lexapro to correct my hormonal defficiency. So, is there any link? Should I taper off the Lexpapro?

Again, I jus' found this site and don't have any lab values.

My mother suffers from hypothyroidism and I am wondering if I may have it as well. My TSH came back at 2.99, (Range: 0.50 - 4.00). I understand that the therapuetic range is under 1.0 and people can experience symptoms of hypothyroidism at the higher normal TSH range.

I am also 25, and having no luck in finding a good doctor. The endocrinologist I visited told me that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) causes prostate cancer, a red flag that he is not familar with testosterone therapy. I was able to find a clinic close to me that specializes in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) but unfortunately since I am under 30, they can't treat me because they are classified as an anti-aging clinic.

Could someone steer me in the right direction? I live in Chicago; are there any good doctors out here that anyone is aware of?

Much appreciated!
-James

 

[RJ]

You need to contact Chip at - Maximus HRT.

If you need the Lexapro, whether its causing this or not, why would you consider stopping it? I mean, wouldn't you rather be mentally stable and get the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to handle the effects. I'm not one to take something just to counter something else, but if you suffer from depression, maybe that's the answer.

EIther way, Chip can point you in the right direction.

btw, you're doctor is an idiot.

 

[CHIP WADOWSKI]

You are a bit on the young side to qualify for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), however our doctors are truly interested in the overall picture and "human condition". In extreme cases, with valid lab results to show hormonal deficiencies, our doctors will consider a therapeutic protocol to those under thirty. Nothing can be done and no advisement can be made without lab work. You can order it online at my website for convenience. For a doctor or anyone that clearl STATE that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) causes Prostate cancer is both irresponsible and unintelligent.

 

[JOWS6]

You need to contact Chip at - Maximus HRT.

If you need the Lexapro, whether its causing this or not, why would you consider stopping it? I mean, wouldn't you rather be mentally stable and get the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to handle the effects. I'm not one to take something just to counter something else, but if you suffer from depression, maybe that's the answer.

EIther way, Chip can point you in the right direction.

btw, you're doctor is an idiot.

Thanks for the response!

I am only taking Lexapro for anxiety. Jus' as controversial as hypogonadism/andropause is, so is anxiety disorders. When patients come in complaining of loss of libido, irritability, depression, doctors quickly opt for a prescription of an anti-depressant instead of even thinking about testosterone. The same can be said about anxiety. I was having panic attacks in high school and instead of giving me options, doctors quickly put me on an anti-depressant.

With anxiety disorders, the most effective form of treatment is CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy). I have been seeing a therapist that specializes in this field and CBT is way better. We came to the conclusion that I most likely don't even need the SSRI.

Calling a doctor an "idiot" is pretty harsh! Maybe uniformed or ignorant might be a better term!

 

[JOWS6]

You are a bit on the young side to qualify for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), however our doctors are truly interested in the overall picture and "human condition". In extreme cases, with valid lab results to show hormonal deficiencies, our doctors will consider a therapeutic protocol to those under thirty. Nothing can be done and no advisement can be made without lab work. You can order it online at my website for convenience. For a doctor or anyone that clearl STATE that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) causes Prostate cancer is both irresponsible and unintelligent.

I absolutley suffer from hypogonadism and is proven by my lab results. Again, I don't have the lab values with me but here is a very rough look based on memory:

Total Testosterone: 197 (Range 250-1100)
BioAvailable Test: 50 (Range 100-500)
BioAvailable Test: 25 (Range 50-250)

It sucks that my condition cannot be addressed jus' because I am 5 years younger.

 

[TheChosenOne]

Calling a doctor an "idiot" is pretty harsh! Maybe uniformed or ignorant might be a better term!

I don't think it's harsh at all. There are a lot of idiots out there and some are doctors. I had a doctor once prescribe me 5mg of finasteride everyday for preventing hairloss. If I hadn't researched it myself before hand I would have taken it. Also, I know of 3 people personally that were given testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as a dose of 400mg testosterone one shot a month. That is just as stupid as you can get. Just make sure to do some research for yourself.

Anyway, I have had some experience with ssri meds. All of them will kill your sex drive and give exact symptoms of low T. I don't know if they actually cause low T. I had my testosterone levels checked at age 26 and my total Testosterone was 195. I had never taken ssri meds or steriods at that time. I was able to bring my levels back up naturally for a while.

 

[CHIP WADOWSKI]

I actually find myself calling a great many "doctors", IDIOTS. In fact, a great many of my clients come to me from IDOITS that have them injecting test once every two weeks and refuse to write them HCG and an Aromatase inhibitor (AI), and say, "you don't need it". Are you kidding me??? In my opinion, anyone who puts another person in harms way, be it intentional or unintentional, because they are not knowledgable enough to do the job the RIGHT way, yet still follows trough with their actions.... is an IDIOT.

If I tried to yank an engine from a car and fix a whole bunch of "car bullshit" that I don't know shit about, but tried to convince the owner that I was a mechanic simply cause I knew where the ignition was..... then I'd be a complete IDIOT.

 

[TheChosenOne]

Exactly.

 

[CHIP WADOWSKI]

JOWS6..... I'm not quite sure what it is that you are asking for. If you are asking the board to AGREE, that the lab values that you state are applicable to you personally, and asking us to compare those values to the reference ranges YOU have posted, than yes, most reasonably educated, HRT/TRT minded experts would consider those numbers to be that of a hypogonadal individual. I don't know you. I have not seen YOUR numbers, and I will not openly state that an
AVATAR/SCREEN NAME is hypogonadal. You can feel free to complete the required medical paperwork and get your labs to me so that I can submit to physician for review.

 

[JOWS6]

Thanks again for the responses.

Chip, what I am asking is if there is any relationship to SSRI intake and hypogonadism. I am eager to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to feel better but I wonder if coming off the SSRI slowly under physician supervision would bring my testosterone levels up. Again, I would hate to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), since it is for life if this could be a reason for my low testosterone scores.

Aside from that, I was looking here for some insight as to what I could do in my situation. It is hard enough to find a knowledgeable physician but even if I reach out to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) clinics, I am told they can't help me because I am under the age of 30.

Chip, are you able to help if I supply my lab reports?

 

[CHIP WADOWSKI]

The ultimate decision, assuming the you are in the U.S., would be up to the prescribing physician. I would definitely review your labs and put them in front of him. It is definitely worth the time on your part, IMO. I have done some research on this topic and I have not found anything that links SSRI's to low T. This does not mean that new findings can't surface at any time, however as of now, I have not found anything. I do have a STRONG opinion though, that if your test levels were elevated from what you have said they are, that the fog of your depression would lift, thus the need for SSRI's MAY not be as necessary, if at all. Again, this is NOT the clinical opinion of our staff physicians, it is MY personal and professional opinion. I do believe there is merit to it.

 

[JOWS6]

Thanks, it is very inspirational to hear as I've read that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) helps with mood but I do not suffer from clinical depression, jus' anxiety. The anti-depressant also is used to treat anxiety disorders. I have noticed I sometimes feel low though. I jus' want to clear up that misconception that I am clinically depressed. Thanks Chip.

Again, I am doing alot of research regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the only thing I haven't found any useful information on is conception. I am not planning on having kids currently, but I do plan on it in the future. If I go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), will I be infertile? How can I assure that I will not have any complications in the future when I'm ready for kids?

 

[RJ]

JOWS, unless i am not understanding correctly, if you are doing CBT and it is proven to help better than an SSRI anyway, why not slowly come off the meds and see if your test levels rise.

Listen, if i didn't have to be on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) i wouldn't, but I do, so I'm gonna live the best I can. But for you, if all it takes is to slowly come off, why not do it? That way you have your answer.

If there's one thing you need to learn about drugs, its that they have different effects on everyone. This problem could be solved very easily. If you come off and lets say after 3 months your levels aren't normal... then you have your answer.