Total T & Free high on TRT so why don't I feel increase Libido?

[kram22]

Been on TRT,HCG and Anastrozole for a few months. I hit a sweet spot a few times during this time when my libido was great but can't seen to get it back. Currently taking 60mg test cyp twice per week, 500iu of HCG twice per week and .25 Anastrozole once per week. Most recent blood work on 04/10/15 has Total T-1641, Free T-244.5 & Estradiol-30 but my Dr only did those tests this time because I had more extensive work done in Feb.(see below). At the time of the Feb test I was using the same protocol but taking Anastrozole .25 twice per week. Either way my Libido is still almost as bad as before I started TRT.

[TD="align: left"]ITAMIN D, 25-HYDROX, SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----25OH, VITAMIN D(32.0-100.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]73.2[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]*Fingerstick Glucose 82947[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Value(60 - 99 mg/dL)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]134[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]TESTOSTERONE, SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----TESTOSTERONE, TOT.,S.(249.0-836.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]1019.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]CBC w/DIFF, PLATELET CT.[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----POLYS(36.0-78.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]55.7[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MCHC(29.0-35.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]34.9[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----RDW(10.9-16.9)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]13.6[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----BASOS(0.0-2.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]1.9[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MCV(80.0-100.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]92.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MCH(25.0-34.1)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]32.2[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----EOS(0.0-8.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]5.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----PLATELET COUNT(144-400)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]135[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----HGB(12.3-17.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]14.5[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----IMMATURE GRANULOCYTES(0.0-1.6)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]0.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----HCT(39.3-52.5)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]41.5[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----WBC(3.40-11.80)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]3.59[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MPV(8.2-11.9)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]10.6[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----RBC(4.20-5.90)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]4.51[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----LYMPHS(12.0-48.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]29.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MONOS(0.0-13.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]8.4[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]TESTOSTERONE, FREE, SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]129.88[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]*Hemoglobin A1C[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Value(4.0 - 5.6 %)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]5.3% lower[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB.[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----SEX HORM.BIND.GLOB.(10-57)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]79[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]CHEM PROFILE 29[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----GGTP(10-71)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]15[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----ALT(<41)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]21[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Phosphorus(2.7-4.5)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2.8[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----AST(<40)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]30[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----HDL as % of Cholesterol(>14)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]29[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----HDL CHOL., DIRECT(>40)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]64[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Triglycerides(<150)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]152[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Cholesterol(<200)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]219[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Alk Phos(40-156)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]65[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Bilirubin, Total(<1.2)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]0.6[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----LD(135-225)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]152[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----BUN/Creat Ratio(10.0-28.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]12.4[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Calcium(8.6-10.4)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]9.3[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Uric Acid(3.4-8.5)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]5.8[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Iron(45-160)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]104[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Creatinine(0.90-1.30)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]0.97[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----LDL Cholesterol(<100)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]125[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----e-GFR(>60)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]83[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----e-GFR, African American(>60)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]100[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Total Protein(5.9-8.4)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]6.3[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Chol/HDL Ratio(<7.4)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]3.4[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Potassium(3.3-5.3)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]3.6[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----LDL/HDL Ratio(<3.56)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]1.95[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Chloride(96-108)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]96[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----CO2(22-29)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]25[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----BUN(6-20)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]12[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Albumin(3.5-5.2)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]4.5[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Globulin(1.7-3.7)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]1.8[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Glucose(70-99)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]104[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Sodium(133-145)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]136[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]ESTRADIOL, SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----ESTRADIOL(7.63-42.60)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]12.24[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]*Urinalysis, Routine[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----UROBILINOGEN,SEMI-QN (mg/dL)(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----URINALYSIS GROSS EXA()[/TD] [TD="align: left"][/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----BILIRUBIN(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MICROSCOPIC EXAMINAT()[/TD] [TD="align: left"][/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----SPECIFIC GRAVITY(1.003 - 1.030 )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]1.030[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----NITRITE, URINE(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----PH(5 - 8 )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]6.0[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----OCCULT BLOOD(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----GLUCOSE (mg/dL)(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----KETONES(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----URINE-COLOR(clear - yellow )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]yellow[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----APPEARANCE(clear - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]clear[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----WBC ESTERASE(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----PROTEIN(negative - )[/TD] [TD="align: left"]negative[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]ALBUMIN[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----Albumin(3.5-5.2)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]4.5[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]PROLACTIN, SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----PROLACTIN, SERUM(4.0-15.2)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]8.3[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]LH (LEUTINIZING HORMONE)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----LH(1.7-8.6)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]<0.1[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]MICROALBUMIN, URINE RANDOM/CREAT RATIO[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----CREAT.URN.TIMED/RAND(Not Estab.)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]81.3[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MICROALBUMIN,RANDOM(Not Estab.)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]<1.2[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----MICROALB/CREAT RATIO(<30.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]Can't Calc[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]FSH (FOLLICLE STIM.HORMONE) SERUM[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----FSH(1.5-12.4)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]0.2[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]GROWTH HORMONE[/TD] [TD="align: left"]2015-02-18[/TD]

[TD="align: left"]----GROWTH HORMONE(<3.0)[/TD] [TD="align: left"]0.3[/TD]

 

[HarryCat]

I've had a similar experience with TRT as you, other than a few fleeting hours here and there, no noticeable improvement in libido.
Although I could never let my T levels get as high as your's because my hematocrit would go way over the top of the range.

Here is a chart that Nelson has posted before on possible causes for low libido:



If you are able to rule out most of those things you may want to consider Gene's Nitric Oxide Stack


If that doesn't help other things I've read about include:

Switching to, or adding in, some transdermal T. Your overall T levels will probably be lower, maybe a lot lower, but it should give you higher DHT levels which helps with libido in some guys.

I've read reports where daily HCG shots in the 50-150IU range can help.

I've also read reports of guys taking their anastrozole once per week to allow for a greater variation in E2 levels. Trying to shoot for a cycle in the range of 15-30 on a weekly basis.

High prolactin can also kill libido, but your's doesn't seem that high.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I do not see your free T.

Your glucose is high. Did you fast for your sample? Your hemoglobin A1c shows that you run high glucose also.

Estradiol is low. You may want to do away with anastrozole.

Everything else is pretty good. Nice liver and kidney function.

 

[kram22]

I did not fast for either of these tests. My free T on the Feb. blood work (TESTOSTERONE, FREE, SERUM (30.00-150.00)-129.88. In April the numbers were 04/10/15 has Total T-1641, Free T-244.5 & Estradiol-30. Also I should mention that I'm diabetic and taking Insulin as well.

 

[abram134]

i heard that diabetes make you have poor blood flow to penis or around body so take some arginine or pills that promote blood flow and your shbg is high even when you have diabetes and take insulin i heard that diabetes lowers shbg and insulin but so yeah how old are you i think it has to do with blood flow

 

[abram134]

you didnt put your e2 estrogen so maybe that is the prob

 

[kram22]

46yrs old...I used a AI for awhile but had no improvement. Very frustrating that I felt great for a short period when I 1st started but now basically feel almost the same as b4 I started TRT.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

The use of anastrozole along with TRT has not been proven to increase sexual function at all. Not one single study out there!

 

[kram22]

The use of anastrozole along with TRT has not been proven to increase sexual function at all. Not one single study out there!

I stopped using the anastrozole 2 weeks ago and increased the armour thyroid to 60mg per day but so far I feel no real difference. The thing puzzling me is why did I feel great in the beginning and now can't get that feeling back? Is there any test I should request for next time I see the Doctor or other supplements I can take to improve the results? I've read so many different things on so many different websites its overwhelming. One site claims that the cell receptors no longer react the same as they did when I first started TRT so even though the blood test shows High Free T and Total T I'm not feeling the benefits? I'm not sure where to go from here.

 

[HarryCat]

One site claims that the cell receptors no longer react the same as they did when I first started TRT so even though the blood test shows High Free T and Total T I'm not feeling the benefits.

I'm in the same boat and this is what my TRT doc told me.

He is having me experiment with different protocols, but you and I may just be the kind of guys who don't get a whole lot of symptomatic improvement from TRT. It doesn't work for everyone.

 

[Vince Carter]

Your SHBG of 79 is very very high, could be all bound up, but your Free T seems high enough.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Do you know what your total test was when you were feeling your best? Is that reflected in the posted values?

 

[ERO]

Sadly, I have a feeling that this is not at all uncommon. I have been on TRT for over 4 years and my libido, although poor, was better when I had Low T than it has even been since.

 

[a_crossfitter]

I stopped using the anastrozole 2 weeks ago and increased the armour thyroid to 60mg per day but so far I feel no real difference. The thing puzzling me is why did I feel great in the beginning and now can't get that feeling back? Is there any test I should request for next time I see the Doctor or other supplements I can take to improve the results? I've read so many different things on so many different websites its overwhelming. One site claims that the cell receptors no longer react the same as they did when I first started TRT so even though the blood test shows High Free T and Total T I'm not feeling the benefits? I'm not sure where to go from here.

I highly recommend splitting your daily weekly dose in 3 and dropping the anastrozole.

To sleep well, take L-Tryptophan (I take about 6g) right before bedtime with St. Johns Wort. These two supplements have greatly improved my circadian rythm from 50-60% to >75% pretty concistently.

If you do decide to add the supplements I suggest getting them from Bulk Supplements on Amazon. If you do so, use the Amazon link in this website.