So I've been on TRT a few years. Tried injections, creams, HCG, AI's, DHEA, pregnenalone, and various combination of them all. I never really found the silver bullet I was looking for. By all accounts, my hormones are at optimal levels but my libido is very low and erections are so so with Cialis. So I've started to wonder if maybe I have something out of whack in the neurotransmitter department since they play an important role in sexual function. I was looking at a comprehensive neurotransmitter panel from Life Extension. Do any of you have any experience with this? I've read mixed reviews about the accuracy of such tests (most of what I've read was a few years old). Any help is appreciated.
Neurotransmitter testing
- Thread starter ta406
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Some have said that these tests have limited value, as they do not reflect levels in the brain. It might be easier and cheaper to do some self-testing with supplementation. I mentioned the following in a recent post over at PeakT:
Starting with low doses is wise.
Dopamine: L-tyrosine, NALT. More aggressive, less safe: Macuna pruriens, L-deprenyl, wild green oat extract
Serotonin: L-tryptophan. More aggressive, less safe: 5-HTP
Acetylcholine: L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC)
Starting with low doses is wise.
Dopamine: L-tyrosine, NALT. More aggressive, less safe: Macuna pruriens, L-deprenyl, wild green oat extract
Serotonin: L-tryptophan. More aggressive, less safe: 5-HTP
Acetylcholine: L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC)
Vince
Super Moderator
Any issues with your thyroid labs?
The only thyroid labs I have are over a year old. I have labs in a few weeks and I'm going to ask to get my thyroid levels checked again. My last labs were:
T4, free: 1.34 (.82-1.77)
TSH: 0.981 (.450-4.50)
Thyroid Peroxidase: 11 (0-34)
Triiodothronine Free: 3.3 (2.0-4.4)
Reverse T3 16.7 (9.4-24.4)
Ive tried L-tyrosine, and Macuna pruriens. No luck but maybe I need to research dosages of each of these before I write them off.
I need to look into boosting serotonin levels. I guess its worth a try. Thanks
StepbyStep
Active Member
The study I read on nurotransmitter testing basically said that test results fluctuate massively from day to day, suggesting that testing methods are completely worthless at this point in time.
Really unfortunate because I think most of my problems are nurotransmitter related. Experimenting with supplements hasn't done anything for me either.
Really unfortunate because I think most of my problems are nurotransmitter related. Experimenting with supplements hasn't done anything for me either.
Vince Carter
Banned
Your reverse T3 is edging up I think IIRC that >15 is indicative of pooling. Check again and see if you just omitted Free T3...it's the most important part of the whole thyroid panel.
DragonBits
Well-Known Member
I have never done a neurotransmitter panel, I believe they are usually done with a urine sample, called Urinary neurotransmitters.
I was considering getting this done as right now as the sale at Life Extension will only last till the end of this month.
I was mainly interested in those things affecting sleep.
But i have no experience with how valuable the information will turn out to be.
Libido is influenced by many things, have you also looked at cortisol levels, high cortisol can also negatively affect libido.
Could you tell me what you mean by omitting Free T3?
I did have my cortisol tested when I initially started TRT. It was very high, especially in the evening. If I remember correctly, it actually increased as the day went on. Basically the opposite of what its supposed to. I had just changed positions at work where I was on shift work for a few years so my body was a wreck. Maybe its time to get it checked again. Thanks
Vince Carter
Banned
Is it not listed in your post because you overlooked it or did you not have it tested?
Triiodothronine == T3
Vince Carter
Banned
DOH I got lost in just looking for "Free T3" and not the real name
I agree also, i noticed improvement in libido, I wonder if anything else can help. I would say I saw 30% improvement.
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