Libido shutdown on HRT

[hema]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with my HRT protocol?

I recently started HRT and have been experiencing two side effects-loss of libido and accelerated hairloss. I'd like to first mention that before initiating my latest HRT, I have always had a problem with libido shutdown no matter which agents I have used to increase testosterone. I have tried the various adaptogens(ex: gingseng, ashwaganda,rhodiola,etc), DHEA, and testosterone injections, gels, and patches. I have had the same effect after just the first day of usage- a shutdown of libido.

My baseline blood tests before beginning my most recent HRT are from Labcorp:

Test Result Limits

PSA 0.7 0.0-4.0
Total Test. 439ng/dL 241-827
Free Test. 13.1pg/mL 8.7-25.1
DHEA-Sulfate 135ug/dL 120-520
Estradiol 12pg/mL 0-53
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 28nmol/L 13-71
IGF-1 151ng/mL 109-284

TSH 1.222uIU/mL 0.350-5.500
Thyroxine (T4) 7.9ug/dL 4.5-12.0
Triiodothyronine, Free 3.4pg/mL 2.3-4.2
LH 1.7mIU/mL 1.5-9.3
FSH 1.4mIU/mL 1.4-18.1
DHT 38ng/dL 30-85

Present HRT, first started with:

DHEA 50mg/day
Testosterone gel 15% with PLO base 1g/day
HcG 250u every 3-4 days

Results:

I felt a little better with the libido the first day of application but every day thereafter-nothing, no libido and accelerated hairloss.

After attempting this protocol, I attempted to add Nolvadex 2.5mg/day. Once again, I felt a little something but nothing significant.

Can anyone recommend any suggestions how I could increase libido and possible reduce hairloss?

I was thinking about increasing the HcG to 500u every 3-4 days and/or increasing the Nolvadex to 5-10mg/day.

I was first hesistant about increasing the nolvadex because my estradiol baseline was low to begin with.(although maybe my estradiol level has escalated since beginning the gel) In the past, before this HRT protocol, I tried 0.25mg Arimidex twice a week for 1week with the testosterone patch daily, and I think my estrogen level plummeted. I had all the classic symptoms of menopause without being a female.

Should I ask my doc for a stronger testosterone gel? I heard PLO gel was one of the better bases for absorption and that's what I'm using now. Should I try the testosterone injections again? In the past, I did try the cypionate 200mg/ml 1ml every 2 weeks-same libido deterring effects, first day or two felt great then no libido and increased side effects. I heard that the injections may be better in limiting conversion to estradiol and DHT but I'm not sure.

A note on the thyroid- my doctor wanted me to try Armour thyroid but I wanted to hold off for now. I was concerned that once I begin thyroid medication, if for some reason I had to stop, I would be in serious trouble. Can thyroid meds really help increase libido? What's your opinion on HGH?


As far as the hairloss goes, I have tried minoxidil in the past but I had a hypotensive reaction even on 2% solution. I've tried topical spironolactone creme and nothing. I've tried saw palmetto extract and this has helped somewhat but sex drive became nonexistent.

Any suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
hema

[pmgamer18]

Do you work out heavy and have a low % of body fat. Looks to me that your E2 is way to low. This will kill your libido and make you feel like crap. Hair loss can be your Thyroid needs help. Also feel you need to have your Cortisol levels checked. If your over doing it in the gym this is part of what is wrong. Stop taking things that lower E's go on a normal diet and stop working out take a break.

Originally Posted by hema

I was wondering if anyone could help me with my HRT protocol?

I recently started HRT and have been experiencing two side effects-loss of libido and accelerated hairloss. I'd like to first mention that before initiating my latest HRT, I have always had a problem with libido shutdown no matter which agents I have used to increase testosterone. I have tried the various adaptogens(ex: gingseng, ashwaganda,rhodiola,etc), DHEA, and testosterone injections, gels, and patches. I have had the same effect after just the first day of usage- a shutdown of libido.

My baseline blood tests before beginning my most recent HRT are from Labcorp:

Test Result Limits

PSA 0.7 0.0-4.0
Total Test. 439ng/dL 241-827
Free Test. 13.1pg/mL 8.7-25.1
DHEA-Sulfate 135ug/dL 120-520
Estradiol 12pg/mL 0-53
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 28nmol/L 13-71
IGF-1 151ng/mL 109-284

TSH 1.222uIU/mL 0.350-5.500
Thyroxine (T4) 7.9ug/dL 4.5-12.0
Triiodothyronine, Free 3.4pg/mL 2.3-4.2
LH 1.7mIU/mL 1.5-9.3
FSH 1.4mIU/mL 1.4-18.1
DHT 38ng/dL 30-85

Present HRT, first started with:

DHEA 50mg/day
Testosterone gel 15% with PLO base 1g/day
HcG 250u every 3-4 days

Results:

I felt a little better with the libido the first day of application but every day thereafter-nothing, no libido and accelerated hairloss.

After attempting this protocol, I attempted to add Nolvadex 2.5mg/day. Once again, I felt a little something but nothing significant.

Can anyone recommend any suggestions how I could increase libido and possible reduce hairloss?

I was thinking about increasing the HcG to 500u every 3-4 days and/or increasing the Nolvadex to 5-10mg/day.

I was first hesistant about increasing the nolvadex because my estradiol baseline was low to begin with.(although maybe my estradiol level has escalated since beginning the gel) In the past, before this HRT protocol, I tried 0.25mg Arimidex twice a week for 1week with the testosterone patch daily, and I think my estrogen level plummeted. I had all the classic symptoms of menopause without being a female.

Should I ask my doc for a stronger testosterone gel? I heard PLO gel was one of the better bases for absorption and that's what I'm using now. Should I try the testosterone injections again? In the past, I did try the cypionate 200mg/ml 1ml every 2 weeks-same libido deterring effects, first day or two felt great then no libido and increased side effects. I heard that the injections may be better in limiting conversion to estradiol and DHT but I'm not sure.

A note on the thyroid- my doctor wanted me to try Armour thyroid but I wanted to hold off for now. I was concerned that once I begin thyroid medication, if for some reason I had to stop, I would be in serious trouble. Can thyroid meds really help increase libido? What's your opinion on HGH?


As far as the hairloss goes, I have tried minoxidil in the past but I had a hypotensive reaction even on 2% solution. I've tried topical spironolactone creme and nothing. I've tried saw palmetto extract and this has helped somewhat but sex drive became nonexistent.

Any suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
hema

[hema]

Thanks for the reply,

I have not been to the gym lately because of depression (the reason why I started HRT)

Bodyfat, my guess is around 23-25%. Weigh approx. 185

I've heard about cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue. I was thinking about having an adrenal salivary panel done. (Although not quite sure how accurate salivary testing is compared to blood).

If you think there is any merit in salivary testing, can you recommend a reliable testing lab where I don't need a doctor's order to be tested.

I was concerned about getting high estrogen levels on the hcg and gel that's why I began 2.5mg of nolvadex. Do you think it's best to hold off even on such small a dose?

Thanks again,
hema

[pmgamer18]

Originally Posted by hema

Thanks for the reply,

I have not been to the gym lately because of depression (the reason why I started HRT)

Bodyfat, my guess is around 23-25%. Weigh approx. 185

I've heard about cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue. I was thinking about having an adrenal salivary panel done. (Although not quite sure how accurate salivary testing is compared to blood).

If you think there is any merit in salivary testing, can you recommend a reliable testing lab where I don't need a doctor's order to be tested.

I was concerned about getting high estrogen levels on the hcg and gel that's why I began 2.5mg of nolvadex. Do you think it's best to hold off even on such small a dose?

Thanks again,
hema

Stop anything that lowers E2 your way to low you will know when it comes beck up because your libido will come back and your should get morning wood.

Read the Sticky on Adrenal at the top of this site and you can go to this link and read about it and find labs that do testing. The salivary tests work good for this.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/

Are you on meds for depression.

[hema]

I'll check out the thread on adrenal functioning. I have heard adrenal "burnout" can cause a lot of the symptoms I have been experiencing. I briefly looked at the book about adrenal fatigue in the 21st century. I 'll take a closer look at it.

I'm currently 38 and as my doc explained my dhea-s is on the low side. When I was around 21, I had a doc check my dhea-s and he also mentioned that it was on the low side. In the past, I have experienced strong sugar cravings and a lot of stress over many years. I have to say that after beginning testosterone and Hcg my mood psychologically has been more balanced. I do not crave sugar and I feel more grounded.

Over many years I have tried the herbal anti-depressents but I always ended up with a detached feeling that I could not stand. I did not want to try the prescription anti-depressents because they are usually a lot stronger acting on my body and I don't like to feel like I'm beside myself. Finally, I did not want to risk lossing an already low libido and all the other side-effects from some of the anti-depressents.

I will lay off the nolvadex and not start any other anti-aromatase inhibitors. Hopefully, this will allow my estradiol to increase but not too much as I don't want to experience gyno.

Thanks again,
hema

[pmgamer18]

Most men can tell when E's are going to high we get sore and hard nipples. Feel hot and some get a red upper body look for the sines.

[novice]

He doesnt know his E2 while on TRT only this baseline. I think you need to check total estrogens and E2 while on your current protocol and go from there.

[bullmastiff]

Your baseline Total testosterone and free T are not really that low. Maybe a boost with HCG would be enough for you and it would elevate your estradiol into a more normal range. Also you might want to try selegiline at five milligrams a day along with the HCG for libido. Selegiline boosts testosterone for some.

[hema]

Hi Guys,

I did try a boost of HCG 2x per week at 250u along with 15% test gel with PLO once daily and that seemed to shut down the libido just as bad as the adaptogens and DHEA.

I realize I should have my estradiol tested while on the protocol, it's just that I didn't want to continue taking the meds because I hate the feeling of being asexual with increased hairloss.

I'm not quite sure if the libido shutdown is from elevated estradiol, elevated prolactin or progesterone, or possible the testosterone receptors in the brain are being occupied by estrogen molecules.

This delimma has been going on for years and it's very frustrating. I've been to internal medicine docs, endocrinologists, urologists, and anti-aging physicians but the problem hasn't been solved. The existing problem is only compounded with the amount of cash I had to shell out for the doc visits.

[pmgamer18]

Try Dr. John his site is www.allthingsmale.com also read his TRT: A Recipe for Success and his HCG update. Dr. John will work with your Dr. over the phone. High Estradiol and low will kill sex life.

Originally Posted by hema

Hi Guys,

I did try a boost of HCG 2x per week at 250u along with 15% test gel with PLO once daily and that seemed to shut down the libido just as bad as the adaptogens and DHEA.

I realize I should have my estradiol tested while on the protocol, it's just that I didn't want to continue taking the meds because I hate the feeling of being asexual with increased hairloss.

I'm not quite sure if the libido shutdown is from elevated estradiol, elevated prolactin or progesterone, or possible the testosterone receptors in the brain are being occupied by estrogen molecules.

This delimma has been going on for years and it's very frustrating. I've been to internal medicine docs, endocrinologists, urologists, and anti-aging physicians but the problem hasn't been solved. The existing problem is only compounded with the amount of cash I had to shell out for the doc visits.

[bullmastiff]

I meant to just use the HCG + selegiline without the gel. Since your baseline is not that low that might be all you need.