Low T no sexual sides?

nydheart · Mar 11, 2015

Hey All,

I have had a number of blood tests that have come back with my T levels below the normal. I don't have any issues maintaining an erection and "getting the job done" and enjoy it when I am doing it but I would say my drive has decreased fairly significantly. My main issues are lack of motivation, concentration, weight gain, tired all the time and just a general lack of drive to do anything.

Is this fairly common that people with low T are fine in the sex department? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Nelson Vergel · Mar 11, 2015

nydheart

I would not use TRT if you do not have sexual dysfunction and ED before first looking at potential issues like sleep apnea, medication induced fatigue, thyroid function and others.

nydheart · Mar 11, 2015

Hi Nelson,

The only thing I can say is that my erections are less rigid for lack of a better word but I doubt that puts me in the realm of ED. I have sleep apnea and have been on cpap therapy for the past 4 years. The only medication I take is nexium for GERD which is a result of a faulty valve in my stomach. The two previous blood tests I had both showed below normal T levels but thyroid function was apparently fine. I just got into see a doctor that specializes in men's health and had me do a pretty major blood panel, the technician was surprised at the amount of blood drawn. I will find out my results of this on the 23rd.

If thyroid comes back fine and test is still low what would you recommend at that point? Thanks!

James · Mar 11, 2015

Nydheart - I was the same way, total test of 182 ng/dl and libido and erection quality was fine. We're different like that my friend!

Nelson - If he has low test, aren't there other health benefits to being on TRT?

Nelson Vergel · Mar 12, 2015

James

Nydheart has not told us what his total T level is.

If I had no low libido or ED, I would not start TRT unless two fasting morning samples taken a month apart showed TT < 250 ng/dL. I know that sounds super conservative coming from me.

Yes, lower TT has been associated with higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. But the studies that looked into these associations did not measure free T and DHT.

Good libido and strong erections are things to cherish and protect. Introducing TRT and its HTPA shutdown may jeopardize these two factors.

Some men's bodies can do better than others with lower TT. Most of these men have free T over 3 percent of total and great levels of other androgens/metabolites like DHT and DHEA. Unfortunately, most TRT and hypogonadism studies have only measured total testosterone and not free T or DHT, two of the strongest factors in my opinion on sex drive and erection quality in men.

nydheart · Mar 13, 2015

Thanks Guys,

So here are some of the numbers I could find from my first test I did in 2013, I asked to have my Testosterone and Thyroid levels checked. Below are the results so if someone could kindly interpret that would be great!

Testosterone 8.2 nmol/L the reference range on the form says 8.4-28.8
Free Triiodothyronine 5.0 pmol/L reference range is 3.5-6.5
Thyrotropin (sensitive TSH) 1.94 mIU/L reference range is 0.35-5.0
Free Thryoxine (Free T4) 14 pmol/L reference range is 9-23
Anti-TPO <5 IU/ml reference range <35
Anti-TG <10 IU/ml reference range <40

The next test I had through my Doctor last month came back with my testosterone level at 26.6 on a scale from 25-80, I have no idea what measurement they used and never thought to ask. They also tested my thyroid and told me it was in the middle range. Again, no idea what tests they ran to determine my Thyroid level.

Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.