Help! Quit TRT, Labs Fine zero Libido

[Admired]

27 year old male
Ok so I quit TRT in late August cold turkey (TRT did nothing for me in terms of energy, libido etc. despite very high test levels) and just got bloods done and they are all very satisfactory. My energy levels and motivation are good but the lack of sex drive is just destroying me as even when I was on TRT it did nothing for me in terms of libido. In fact pre TRT my libido was pretty good. Anyway I am searching for any answers as to where the lust and desire for sex has gone. Here are the values for my recent bloods. Currently have been taking Unithroid at 50mcg/day for a few months now.

Estradiol 21.6 Reference Range: 7.6-42.6 (pg/mL)

Testosterone, Serum (Total) 580 (ng/dL)ES Reference Range: >18 years 264 - 916

% Free Testosterone 1.9 (%)
Reference Range:- Adult Males: 1.5 - 3.2

Free Testosterone, S 110 (pg/mL) ES- Reference Range:- Adult Males: 52 - 280

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 50.6 (nmol/L)ES- Reference Range:- Pubertal: 16.0 - 100.0- 20 - 49y: 16.5 - 55.9- >49y: 19.3 - 76.4

Hemoglobin A1c 5.2 Reference Range 4.8-5.6 (%)

T4,Free(Direct)1.14 Reference Range:0.82-1.77 (ng/dL)MB

Cortisol 13.7 (ug/dL)MB- Cortisol Reference Range: AM 6.2 - 19.4- Cortisol PM 2.3 - 11.9

TSH 2.030 Reference Range: 0.450-4.500 (uIU/mL)

Vitamin B12 626 Reference Range: 232-1245 (pg/mL)

Insulin 5.8 Reference Range: 2.6-24.9 (uIU/mL)

Prolactin 7.4 Reference Range: 4.0-15.2 (ng/mL)

Ferritin, Serum 199 Reference Range: 30-400 (ng/mL)

Triiodothyronine (T3), Free 2.4 Reference Range: 2.0-4.4 (pg/mL)

LH 4.4 Reference Range: 1.7-8.6 (mIU/mL)

FSH 2.5 Reference Range: 1.5-12.4 (mIU/mL)

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 83.9 Reference Range: 30.0-100.0 (ng/mL)


These were my out of ranges on the metabolic panel

Alkaline Phosphatase 38 L3 Reference Range: 9-117 (IU/L)
A/G Ratio2.3 H Reference Range: 1.2-2.2
Calcium10.4 H Reference Range: 8.7-10.2 (mg/dL)

 

[Royal244]

How long have you been on TRT and do you remember your levels (Estriadol, Free T, Total T, SHBG) before you started taking testosterone?

 

[Vince]

As you can probably see your shbg is high especially for someone who's only 27. Also your free T3 is low. I think you should consider having a complete thyroid panel at least once, with reverse T3 and both antibodies.
Are you having morning wood or is sex just a lack of desire.

 

[Admired]

Been on TRT for less than 5 months.
TRT levels were
E2: 25.3
Test Serum: 1083
Free Test: 2.1%
Free Test: 227
SHBG: 48.7

I didn't have antibodies checked this time around but a few months ago I did and they were elevated

Thyroglobulin Antibody 1.6 H 0.0-0.9 (IU/mL)
TPO:
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab 279 H0-34 (IU/mL)

My physician is having me already on thyroid meds Unithroid @50mcg/day

50/50 with having morning wood and not. If I do its very soft.

 

[Vince]

You could try low-dose Cialis, because of your age though I would use it carefully. I know when I wake up with morning wood, which I do have daily, it does make me horny.

I also think your thyroid labs need some tweaking, it doesn't look like that you're completely dailed in on your thyroid levels.

I inject testosterone daily, after 3 years of tweaking my protocol, I feel I'm finally completely dialed in, I'm also on my thyroid meds and I take them twice a day, I believe it was the missing link that I needed.

 

[Admired]

You could try low-dose Cialis, because of your age though I would use it carefully. I know when I wake up with morning wood, which I do have daily, it does make me horny.

I also think your thyroid labs need some tweaking, it doesn't look like that you're completely dailed in on your thyroid levels.

I inject testosterone daily, after 3 years of tweaking my protocol, I feel I'm finally completely dialed in, I'm also on my thyroid meds and I take them twice a day, I believe it was the missing link that I needed.

Thank you for your response, I suppose it wouldn't hurt but I really want to get to the root of the issue and not have to rely on low dose cialis daily at my age especially. What can even be done with my Thyroid, I'm already taking Levothyroxine for it, any supplements to help with raising T3 and lowering my TPO and anti-bodies? I don't get it I'm an extremely fit person and make sure to eat plenty of vegetables and healthy fats, etc. Just because I might have a slightly underacting thyroid should not mean complete shutdown of my libido.

 

[Vince]

I have a friend who is only 34, he needs to use Cialis. He's not even embarrassed talking about it. He buys it from an overseas Pharmacy, good prices.

can cytomel by itself be used to treat hypothyroidism

 

[Admired]

I thought Cialis had no affect on libido but exclusively blood flow?

 

[Admired]

I was looking at my previous T3 levels over the past year after being on Unithroid and interestingly enough my T3 levels went from 3.9 when I first got on Unithroid, to 3.1 a few months later and now at 2.4. The dosage went from 25mcg to 50mcg after the 3.1 blood test came in. Does this make any sense? Also how do I lower my SHBG naturally?

I think I am going to get off Thyroid meds cold turkey and take natural supplementation, I don't want to have to go the route of taking synthetic T3 alongside my Unithroid.

 

[Vince]

I really don't know what the ingredients is in Unthroid, if your iodine levels get too high it can work havoc on your thyroid.

 

[Vince]

I thought Cialis had no affect on libido but exclusively blood flow?

From everything I've read on Cialis, it does have a positive effect on your testosterone levels, it helps lower your estrogen levels and it also improves your libido.

 

[Admired]

Thanks Vince, I will give the low dose Cialis a go, what dosage do you recommend?

I just think the one constant from beginning of TRT to now has been my thyroid med, and the whole time my sex drive has been so low. My plan is to take a thyroid support supplement and a probiotic.

 

[Vince]

I would probably start with 5 mg every other day if you have no issues move up to 5 mg daily.

 

[Vince]

Thanks Vince, I will give the low dose Cialis a go, what dosage do you recommend?

I just think the one constant from beginning of TRT to now has been my thyroid med, and the whole time my sex drive has been so low. My plan is to take a thyroid support supplement and a probiotic.

There's a probiotic I use, you may be interested in it.
Gutpro: A Recommended Probiotic, Information, and Review

 

[1Draw]

Thanks Vince, I will give the low dose Cialis a go, what dosage do you recommend?

I just think the one constant from beginning of TRT to now has been my thyroid med, and the whole time my sex drive has been so low. My plan is to take a thyroid support supplement and a probiotic.

Really would be helpful to see your Reverse T3. Your FT4 at 1.14 is definitely in range but, as Vince stated your FT3 is at rock bottom and your T4 Unithroid could very well be converting to RT3 and not making it to your Free T3 which is the most important of all. Here is very good description of thyroid labs and what is "optimal".

Optimal vs Normal Thyroid Levels for All Lab Tests & Ages

Your problem may have been thryoid all the time and the T4 Unithroid medicine, not testosterone...High Reverse T3 can kill your sex drive and energy, immune system, etc.

Hopefully some of our thyroid pro's will chime in on this as well.

 

[Admired]

1Draw,

I agree the more I look into the issue. The T4 is just not converting to T3. I think instead of trying to "dial in" my thyroid treatment by incorporating synthetic T3 ( don't even know if my doc will go for it) I am going to use Thyroid and Adrenal support by 1 Body.

 

[HarryCat2]

If your energy levels and motivation are good as you state in your first post then I really doubt thyroid has much if anything to do with your libido issue. Hypothyroidism can lead to low libido because it causes you to have low energy, low mood, poor sleep etc. but low libido in isolation sounds like more of a dopamine issue.

 

[Gman86]

Ya 1draw nailed it. It seems like Unithroid, which is T4 only, is not converting into T3. Your body just isn't converting it for some reason. I would personally look into getting an NDT (natural desiccated thyroid) prescription. NDT's naturally contain all the thyroid hormones: T4, T3, T2 and T1, not just T4 like Unithroid. It's also natural, and your body knows what to do with it, versus anything synthetic you put into your body. If you get your free T3 up into the top of the range and still don't have any libido, I would then look into other avenues. But until then, focus solely on getting your free T3 up.

 

[KenLowT]

I take Cytomel or T3 since my Reverse T3 was high at 22.4 and my T3 was not optimal at 3.0. So far at 15mg I got my T3 up to 3.5 which is still not optimal so I'm bumping it up to 20mg per day which so far has given me much needed energy. I have full blown Hashimoto's Disease so it was only a matter of time until my thyroid stopped functioning completely. I was working out like a madman and did not lose a single pound in 6 months and was done with my endo who said my numbers were completely normal even though they were on the low side of normal.

Once I get back in the gym I expect much better weight loss results.

 

[Gman86]

I take Cytomel or T3 since my Reverse T3 was high at 22.4 and my T3 was not optimal at 3.0. So far at 15mg I got my T3 up to 3.5 which is still not optimal so I'm bumping it up to 20mg per day which so far has given me much needed energy. I have full blown Hashimoto's Disease so it was only a matter of time until my thyroid stopped functioning completely. I was working out like a madman and did not lose a single pound in 6 months and was done with my endo who said my numbers were completely normal even though they were on the low side of normal.

Once I get back in the gym I expect much better weight loss results.

That’s awesome that you are feeling a little better on the 20mg. Ya autoimmune diseases like Hashimotos suck. Good thing about a lot of autoimmune disease though is that it can be reversed in most cases.

There’s a doctor called Morley Robbins that I found out about a while back. He has this thing called “the root cause protocol”. And a fb group called “magnesium advocacy group”. A lot of people there that have used the protocol have reversed their autoimmune issues. Check it out if you have time. Morley Robbins also has a bunch of great videos on YouTube explaining how the protocol works. It’s really not a protocol, he just teaches you how to give your body what it needs to heal itself. Very interesting stuff, and goes against what most people think when it comes to how to be healthy.