22 yr Old Low E2, 0 Libido

[spazak02]

Hi Everyone,

My endo recently started me on TRT - 75 mgs Test E every 5 days after finding a pituitary microadenoma causing low T. Before starting I had the whole cocktail of issues - depression, fatigue, 0 libido, ED, Restrictive eating, Binge eating, Finding no pleasure in anything.

I am a 22 year old male 6'0 170lbs very fit - lean but not excessively lean. I have always been very fit and healthy - my mom is a personal trainer and nutritionist and I have always been interested in nutrition and well being and have worked to get that side optimized. Before my symptoms started ( ~4 years ago) I was a normal teenage boy - boundless energy, libido, etc. Nothing wrong. Since then my issues have worsened over time.

Fast forward to today. 6 weeks ago I finally mustered up the strength to do something about my misery and pressed my endocrinologist to do the MRI which detected the pituitary micro adenoma. Before that I had been taking 25mgs clomid daily which did nothing really. (Oh also should mention I banked sperm so fertility isn't really a concern).

Anyway, I recently did bloodwork and everything looks great except for my E2 which is relatively quite low. I have felt increased energy and improved mood since starting TRT (5 weeks ago) but I still have a complete lack of libido and very flat emotions. I haven't cried in years. And I have had things I definitely should have cried about.

Here is my bloodwork:
Total T - 1,172 ng/dl (Normal range: 317 - 1,234 NG/DL)
Free T - 209.3 pg/ml (Normal range: 48.2 - 169.6 PG/ML)
Bioavailable T - 555.9 ng/dl (Normal range: 113.1 - 397.7 NG/DL)
SHBG - 50.8 nmol/l (Normal range: 14.4 - 90.4 NMOL/L)
Ultrasensitive Estradiol LC MS - 12.7 pg/ml (Normal range: 10.0 - 42.0 pg/mL)
Free T LC-MS/MS - 173.3 pg/ml (Normal range: 47.0 - 244.0 pg/mL)
5-a-Dihydrotestosterone, LC-MS/MS - 428.8 pg/ml (Normal range: 106.0 - 719.0 pg/mL)

I suspect my low E2 is causing my emotional flatness and lack of libido? I am not taking an AI and never have. I would really like to get my libido back. I am about to graduate college and had 0 libido for all 4 years.

If you all think E2 is my issue what can I do elevate it? Is taking oral Estrodial Valerate a good idea? My Endo said she does not want to increase my T dose as my levels are quite high already - and I agree.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Systemlord]

If you all think E2 is my issue what can I do elevate it?

It’s possible that you have an aromatase insufficiency, lacking enough enzymes needed to convert testosterone to estrogen.

Before when you had a natural hormone production, your testicles were making estrogen as well as from aromatase.

Now you’re just getting it from one source.

It’s HCG or take Estradiol Valerate.

Also, be careful as some supplements can inhibit aromatase and lower estrogen.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

Are you eating a balanced diet with plenty of quality calories, especially animal products? Have you had a work-up from a good holistic doc who could detect unresolved infections or some sort of micro-biome issue? Did your decline coincide with a change of environment that could have exposed you to mold or other toxins? Have you done a hair mineral analysis? Are you getting full body mid-day sun on a regular basis somewhere that the sun at an angle over 50 degrees? Hormones are certainly a prime suspect and low estrogen might be a signal that your body thinks it's getting estrogen from some other source (this is just a guess on my part) but there are a lot of other things that could be in play. If there is something in your diet or environment that could be mimicking estrogen that seems like it could cause your issues. There are other things you can try that might raise your libido but trying to eliminate the cause first, especially at your age seems like the best strategy. If the issue is truly T, than it may take considerably longer for your body to re-develop libido.

 

[Jucaro]

You are very young, don't let atrophy your testicles, I would advise HCG 500 IU 3 times a week, along your trt and may be a lower dose of Testosterone (HCG monotherapy could be even enough for you). With HCG you will probably solve your E2 issue, have good testosterone level ans stay with healthy testicles.

 

[spazak02]

If I were to try supplementing my current regimen with Estradiol would this be a good option? Estradiol Tablets

If not does someone have a recommendation as to where I should purchase? Not trying to break the bank ideally as this is all already costing my quite a bit.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

Alldaychemist for tablets and karenmartel.com for cream

 

[spazak02]

So I ended up ordering Estradiol: Estro Vitality from karenmartel.com.

What dose should I start with? I was thinking 0.25mgs per day which one pump of the bottle so that would be convenient. Some things I have read say 0.25mgs daily is a good starting place and would raise my E2 into an optimal range and other things I have read say it would be wayyyy too much. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[spazak02]

So I ended up ordering Estradiol: Estro Vitality from karenmartel.com.

What dose should I start with? I was thinking 0.25mgs per day which one pump of the bottle so that would be convenient. Some things I have read say 0.25mgs daily is a good starting place and would raise my E2 into an optimal range and other things I have read say it would be wayyyy too much. Any thoughts? Thanks

Yea. Seems like from what I have read I need 1/5th to 1/10th of this dose. Not sure how I am going to achieve that... So I ended up canceling. Instead I ordered generic Estrace from TelyRx.Com. Anyone have experience with them and/or estrace? I think I will take 0.5mgs daily.