I have read some useful things on this board and I thought I'd see if anyone has had a similar experience to mine, although I've not found any posts on any board similar to my experience. Anyway, here goes... I am 40 years old with low body fat and history of being very fit. I was diagnosed with low T about 2 years ago - 220. My libido was trashed and my doc put me on
Androgel. As so many have reported, it was initially quite helpful. My libido improved, but wasn't fully restored to where is was prior to the decline, say age 36. But over time the effect of
Androgel has generally waned as endogenous production declined.
The tough issue is this: I have occasional wild swings in sexual function even on Androgel. These swings happen every few months. They always happen while I sleep - for example I go to sleep with a so-so libido and sexual function and I'll wake up with either a completely absent libido and an accompanying anxiety/emotional storm, or I will wake up with the libido of a 20 year old and feel absolutely amazing with outstanding libido and sexual function. Each period lasts for a few weeks and then I usually return to so-so. So-so means morning erections maybe 2x per week and mild response to making out, etc. Really lackluster erections and
cialis is really a must.
Some numbers:
On Androgel 5g, my T went up to 453. I went up to 10g after 2 months, but didn't get a measure at that dose initially. During one of my recent upswings, I did get a
test done and my T was 1570 and total free was 448 (2.85%) on a range of 35-155 as normal. I felt absolutely great, though I did get a bit of acne. However, one morning it was gone and I woke feeling wretched.
Prolactin is normal, TSH and all the rest have come in normal. The only thing ever tested that came in low was T. However, LH was never tested prior to therapy, and is of course suppressed now, but perhaps it was low initially and I suspect that these swings in libido/function are actually my own T production turning on full blast or off completely.
Anyway, E2 was recently 30 and the doc prescribed a very low dose of
Arimidex 1/4 mg 2x per week. I notice a slight uptick in libido on the day I take it, but that's it. I want to add
HCG to my regimen and go to IM 100mg per week (the Crisler protocol, essentially). The Androgel is a hassle and is starting to cause a rash. I figure I'd try the IM because what I'm experiencing presently sucks, so what's to lose?
Has anyone ever experienced these symptoms before - the wild swings? What could it be? What can I do to get my libido back - and keep it? I'll be seeing an endocrinologist soon, but I thought I'd ask here and see if you guys could provide me with any insights that I could take with me. I really want this solved and I'm trying to turn myself into an educated health care consumer. Thanks in advance for any replies.