How Long Till My Libido Returns?

[Straffaren]

I am a Monorchid male (born with one testicle, not undescended, it never existed) I moved from Florida to Tennessee. At my first appt with a new Doctor and endocrinologist attempting to get a new prescription/refill of my 200mg per wk Test-Cyp they refused and due to their ignorance took me off of my Testosterone cold turkey!!! After almost 5 months of depression, lack of drive, strength loss, bodyfat gain as I became estrogen dominant, no libido and, zero erections not even in the morning.Total testosterone levels dropped to a 24ng/dl, they allowed me 100mg wk T-Cyp. I waited and administered the 100mg per wk @ two half doses every 4 days for 3 weeks. My T levels got to a 424 but nothing changed. So I decided on my own to go back to 200mg wk same injection schedule. After 2 wks everything is improving except for my libido and erections. Id like to care about seeing beautiful women, my wife and sex again as would my wife. Any ideas how long this may take? I feel like these Doctors completely screwed my life up.

 

[CoastWatcher]

First of all, you aren't the first, and won't be the last to get lost in the valley of medical ignorance. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I have to say that libido is a tricky thing and when it is restored it is restored in its own schedule.

Your protocol raises a number of questions. Two hundred mg/weekly is certainly a high dose, but if it working for you, it is working for you. What were your total and free testosterone values, along with your estradiol/sensitive level, when you were on this protocol in the past?

 

[Straffaren]

Honestly I dont know what my E2 was. Never had it tested and never worried about it because I wasn't having any negative side effects from that dose at all. No acne, Gyno or anything and I knew that it was more important to have estrogen than to not. My libido was not raging but more average. When my totals would come back near 900 I felt my best. Like I said an undercurrent of contentment. Good strength and my bodyfat was around 18 to 20% fullsite caliper tested. Im leaning towards the conclusion that the doctors messup my adrenals, particularly my dopamine. I used to joke that Dopamine was the reason I went to the gym. Lifting gave me pleasure, made me confident, made me feel virile. This sounds dopey to some but, if it it weren't for my having the discipline of 3 black belts and lifting religiously for 34 years, I would have stopped working out all together. Now its more chore than pleasure. Im not wanting to mess with AI. Not to besmirch his memory but I believe the recent passing of Dr. John Crisler was most likely due to his use of AI. I want my T and E to be balanced. Im thinking of trying to not only fond a better Dr. but also taking Mucana Pruiens. Any additional thoughts?

 

[Straffaren]

The Endo who took me off cold Turkey refused to check my E2 until well after the damage was done. And then even though I requested an E2 sensitive she only ran a standard E2.

 

[CoastWatcher]

It may not have been your intent, but why even reference De. Crisler's death? Countless number of men use an AI with great success. These drugs are valuable for many in their efforts to combat hypogonadism. I've never taken one, and respect anyone's reluctance to use them, but speculation such as this is of no help.

I would suggest that a better doctor is essential if you wish to maintain, or, rather, recover, the gains you made. Can you consider an out of network doctor? Mucana may be of benefit. As for levels, looking ahead, you can test yourself at www.discountedlabs.com. Prices are good and all clinical work is run through LabCorp. I'm a Canadian and use their services when I travel to the States.

Finally, where does your SHBG sit?

 

[Straffaren]

Prolactin- 30.4 ng/ml which dropped to 21.5 ng/ml in 10 days Endo ordered MRI. No Tumor. I had no other symptoms to indicate that there was one besides the Increased prolactin which I believe happened due to being dropped of T cold turkey after more than 10 yrs.

Test- 24 ng/ml lowest ever
SHBG- 28.4 nmol/L
Free Androgen Index Male- 2.9
FT(C)- 0.5 ng/dl 10 days earlier it was 2.1 ng/dl
FT%(C)- 1.9 %
BIOT(C) - 11 ng/ml
BIOT%(C)- 45.6 %
FSH - .8 miU/ml
LH - .4 miU/ml

 

[Straffaren]

As far as out of network. Not really feasible. Not whining but Im just Joe Blow Blue Collar working paycheck to paycheck.

 

[Game Master]

Libido by itself is quite more complicated and doesn't always respond even to well managed T levels. It is not well studied ether compared to ED. It is more related to your brain and proper levels and proportions of neurotransmitters, that quite by itself is a complicated matter. I started reading a book called " The science of orgasm" where they address these issues.

 

[Straffaren]

Gotta tell you that I not only decided to self administer the 200mg per week protocol I was on but Ive started taked Mucuna Pruriens the L-Dopa bean supplement. Crazy how after two days on this supplement my libido has recovered as well as my feelings of well being. Well see if it also helps rebuild my strength as well.

 

[fifty]

Mucuna is good stuff. I noticed more of a benefit pre TRT though with it.

 

[Straffaren]

When the Endo stupidly cut me off my T she really screwed with my adrenals. Im not putting all my eggs in the Mucuna basket but Im hopeful. It has brought back the joy/mental payoff of lifting. My wife appreciates my recovering interest as well

 

[TorontoTRT]

How much Mucuna are you taking per day? What’s the concentration? 15% L-Dopa?

 

[Straffaren]

Im taking 2 capsules of the Solaray %15 L-Dopa 333mg per capsule. Was thinking maybe I might need to take 3 because of my bodyweight? Im 265lbs. I only take it 5 days a week. I dont take it on Thursday or Sunday.

 

[wsj357]

Why don’t you find a legit trt specialist problem here is you are using docs who don’t know shit about trt and are scared of anything healthy. They want to give you pills.
Cover symptoms. Have you come back for a new script.

Expecting today’s MD to find the cause is like asking a politician to tel the truth.