Low Libido

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who have responded...It has been great to hear from many

of you. I guess I should have given more details....Here's the

complete story:

Seeing a urologist as there isn't any endocrinologists in my area. Had

been discussing the " intangibles " such as low energy, sick quite often

& etc. with my local doc. He suspected my T was low due to maintenance

RXs (will be on them probably forever). Apparently, many meds out

there can have a significant negative impact on T output. He ordered a

free T test & sure enough, it was 8.9 ng/dl, or the bottom of the

reference range given by LabCorp. He referred me to the local

Urologist...He started me on 5 gram pack per day of Androgel & said he

would test my total T in 3 months. For the first couple weeks, I

experienced a significant spike, but has since leveled off.

Before Androgel, I felt crummy, was sick a lot, desire was above

average, and performance was above average.

After being on Androgel for 6 months, I feel a lot better, not sick at

all, muscle mass has increased, performance is unchanged. But here's

the perceived downside....desire is below average. Is this normal? I

thought sex drive was supposed to increase.

Latest test by Urologist is around 560 of total T (or whatever test he

uses which is different than free T the first dr ordered).

Also, I've read about testes possibly shrinking (mine haven't seem

to...yet anyway). What about the penis? I've read conflicting reports

on this.

If I want to see an endocrinologist, I would have to travel several

hours each way, but may be worth it. Not sure.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Bill

On Jun 14, 2006, at 12:46 PM, Dan Meatheany wrote:

> Hey Bill and welcome - As several have mentioned, we need your

> information to make any educated suggestion. If your like most, your

> Doc probably started you an a gel which is the safe thing for them to

> do - you can't overdose yourself with the gel. Initially, you are

> making some level of T yourself and you just added more externally.

> Your body will compensate by shutting down your production in your

> testicles. You get that initial lift from the combination of the two.

> You then get completely shutdown naturally and rely solely on the

> external T. Most of the time if you are on a gel like androgel - you

> initially get a 5 gram pack which usually is not enough for most.

> However we are all different and react differently so you just have to

> try them. Get your information and post it with why you felt like you

> needed TRT (weak erections, low libido.......). For me, I experienced

> stronger and more frequent erections and increased muscle and

> decreased fat first. The libido came

> almost a full year later after " tweeking " my meds including the use

> of an estrogen reducer and Cialis.

>

> Hope this helps - Arkansas

>

> williamb11 <no_reply > wrote:

> Bill,

>

> Greetings and welcome! You will find a lot of good friends on this

> forum - men and some women very interested in providing wise counsel

> and direction.

>

> Could you ask your doctor for blood test results pre-T and your

> latest results (both with ranges and measurements)? This will best

> help us get a handle on your needs and issues.

>

> Why a urologist and not an endocrinologist??

>

> Blessings,

> Bill

>

>

> >

> >

> > Hi everyone. I just joined the group today. I started T

> treatment

> > about 6 months ago after getting a " free T " test. I was at the

> bottom

> > of the range....8.9 I think. Initially, I felt a huge surge but

> have

> > since leveled off, and in fact, maybe gotten worse. Is this

> normal, or

> > is it just in my head. I have noticed more muscular development

> and

> > other signs, but the sex drive isn't quite there. I don't have a

> > performance issue, just a " drive " issue.

> >

> > My follow-up visit last month showed a different test of 560,

> which the

> > urologist seemed pleased with.

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Bill

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>