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Home > Archive > Impotence Support > April 2005 > Androgel & Testicular Desensitization? Recovery?
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Androgel & Testicular Desensitization? Recovery?
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| I have been using Androgel for an abnormally low testosterone level but it's
lost it's 'effect' despite normal free T levels. I know now with 20/20
hindsight that high dose stomach medication I was taking (Protonix and
Zantac) was impairing my liver for the past 4-5 years and may have
contributed to this. Secondly I found I was exposed to carbon monoxide this
past winter (which was worse since my liver was impaired to clear it). I'm
now 2 months out from now Protonix/Zantac and CO exposure. In the past few
weeks the Androgel has lost it's effect (no libido and ED).
I'm thinking that I need to give my testicles a chance to see if this has
possibly reversed and maybe I no longer need Androgel. I tried a 5 day
break from Androgel last week and it was hell (fatigue/malaise, achiness,
etc.,).
Is there something to aid in this recovery process? Tribulus? Clomid? HCG?
Other thoughts on this subject maybe I'm not thinking of?
Thanks
Chris
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| Joe D. 2005-04-17, 6:11 pm |
| Chris, after being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) such as
Androgel a while your testicles atrophy. This is normal and expected.
Quitting TRT typically makes men feel bad.
After quitting it takes roughly two months to resume normal production,
whatever that was before TRT.
At best your T level will reach the pre-TRT level. However this was
presumably inadequate else you'd never take TRT, so even if you
"toughed it out" for two months it's unlikely you'd feel any better than
before starting TRT.
You can ease the transition off TRT by taking hCG, a prescription
injectable medication. However that only works if you have secondary
insufficiency (pituitary), not primary (testicles).
In your case I don't see how stopping Androgel (even if aided by hCG)
would help. Rather further tests are needed.
Presumably if you're still on the same Androgel dosage your T level
should be about the same. It's possible your poor libido/ED may have
another cause.
If your liver problems caused your estradiol level to increase, that might
block the effect of T. Certain prescription medications can also cause
poor libido/E. These include certain blood pressure meds, beta blockers,
diuretics, antidepressants, etc.
Other hormone problems such as thyroid deficiency, or high prolactin
can cause similar problems.
I'd suggest a complete hormone test, including free & total T, estradiol,
prolactin, thyroid.
Also review all meds taken for possible sexual side effects.
-- Joe D.
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| Joe D. 2005-04-17, 6:11 pm |
| Chris, after being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) such as
Androgel a while your testicles atrophy. This is normal and expected.
Quitting TRT typically makes men feel bad.
After quitting it takes roughly two months to resume normal production,
whatever that was before TRT.
At best your T level will reach the pre-TRT level. However this was
presumably inadequate else you'd never take TRT, so even if you
"toughed it out" for two months it's unlikely you'd feel any better than
before starting TRT.
You can ease the transition off TRT by taking hCG, a prescription
injectable medication. However that only works if you have secondary
insufficiency (pituitary), not primary (testicles).
In your case I don't see how stopping Androgel (even if aided by hCG)
would help. Rather further tests are needed.
Presumably if you're still on the same Androgel dosage your T level
should be about the same. It's possible your poor libido/ED may have
another cause.
If your liver problems caused your estradiol level to increase, that might
block the effect of T. Certain prescription medications can also cause
poor libido/E. These include certain blood pressure meds, beta blockers,
diuretics, antidepressants, etc.
Other hormone problems such as thyroid deficiency, or high prolactin
can cause similar problems.
I'd suggest a complete hormone test, including free & total T, estradiol,
prolactin, thyroid.
Also review all meds taken for possible sexual side effects.
-- Joe D.
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| My free T was 18 which for a 38yo was right in the middle of the range. I
really would like to know if my liver impairment (unknowingly) over the past
few years has done me in, either short or long term.
I think you might be right about this issue being estrogen, though. I have
erections on the Androgel but like almost zero feeling or sensitivity
(almost an-orgasmic). What do you think? Would this do this? I am on
thyroid but my TSH is perfect (1.58) and my T3/T4 levels are good, too. No
other medication to cause this loss of feeling (like an antidepressant, HTN
med, etc.,).
Thanks
Chris
"Joe D." <joe@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:3pv8e.67667$UW6.31993@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
> Chris, after being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) such as
> Androgel a while your testicles atrophy. This is normal and expected.
> Quitting TRT typically makes men feel bad.
>
> After quitting it takes roughly two months to resume normal production,
> whatever that was before TRT.
>
> At best your T level will reach the pre-TRT level. However this was
> presumably inadequate else you'd never take TRT, so even if you
> "toughed it out" for two months it's unlikely you'd feel any better than
> before starting TRT.
>
> You can ease the transition off TRT by taking hCG, a prescription
> injectable medication. However that only works if you have secondary
> insufficiency (pituitary), not primary (testicles).
>
> In your case I don't see how stopping Androgel (even if aided by hCG)
> would help. Rather further tests are needed.
>
> Presumably if you're still on the same Androgel dosage your T level
> should be about the same. It's possible your poor libido/ED may have
> another cause.
>
> If your liver problems caused your estradiol level to increase, that might
> block the effect of T. Certain prescription medications can also cause
> poor libido/E. These include certain blood pressure meds, beta blockers,
> diuretics, antidepressants, etc.
>
> Other hormone problems such as thyroid deficiency, or high prolactin
> can cause similar problems.
>
> I'd suggest a complete hormone test, including free & total T, estradiol,
> prolactin, thyroid.
>
> Also review all meds taken for possible sexual side effects.
>
> -- Joe D.
>
| |
|
| My free T was 18 which for a 38yo was right in the middle of the range. I
really would like to know if my liver impairment (unknowingly) over the past
few years has done me in, either short or long term.
I think you might be right about this issue being estrogen, though. I have
erections on the Androgel but like almost zero feeling or sensitivity
(almost an-orgasmic). What do you think? Would this do this? I am on
thyroid but my TSH is perfect (1.58) and my T3/T4 levels are good, too. No
other medication to cause this loss of feeling (like an antidepressant, HTN
med, etc.,).
Thanks
Chris
"Joe D." <joe@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:3pv8e.67667$UW6.31993@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
> Chris, after being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) such as
> Androgel a while your testicles atrophy. This is normal and expected.
> Quitting TRT typically makes men feel bad.
>
> After quitting it takes roughly two months to resume normal production,
> whatever that was before TRT.
>
> At best your T level will reach the pre-TRT level. However this was
> presumably inadequate else you'd never take TRT, so even if you
> "toughed it out" for two months it's unlikely you'd feel any better than
> before starting TRT.
>
> You can ease the transition off TRT by taking hCG, a prescription
> injectable medication. However that only works if you have secondary
> insufficiency (pituitary), not primary (testicles).
>
> In your case I don't see how stopping Androgel (even if aided by hCG)
> would help. Rather further tests are needed.
>
> Presumably if you're still on the same Androgel dosage your T level
> should be about the same. It's possible your poor libido/ED may have
> another cause.
>
> If your liver problems caused your estradiol level to increase, that might
> block the effect of T. Certain prescription medications can also cause
> poor libido/E. These include certain blood pressure meds, beta blockers,
> diuretics, antidepressants, etc.
>
> Other hormone problems such as thyroid deficiency, or high prolactin
> can cause similar problems.
>
> I'd suggest a complete hormone test, including free & total T, estradiol,
> prolactin, thyroid.
>
> Also review all meds taken for possible sexual side effects.
>
> -- Joe D.
>
| |
| Joe D. 2005-04-17, 6:11 pm |
| I'd suggest having your estradiol and prolactin tested. If either one is
high it can cause sexual dysfunction, even though testosterone is
normal.
Also certain other conditions such as diabetes or prostatitis can cause
impaired sexual function. If you suspect those discuss with your Dr.
| |
| Joe D. 2005-04-17, 6:11 pm |
| I'd suggest having your estradiol and prolactin tested. If either one is
high it can cause sexual dysfunction, even though testosterone is
normal.
Also certain other conditions such as diabetes or prostatitis can cause
impaired sexual function. If you suspect those discuss with your Dr.
| |
| Joe D. 2005-04-20, 5:48 pm |
| Chris, after being on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) such as
Androgel a while your testicles atrophy. This is normal and expected.
Quitting TRT typically makes men feel bad.
After quitting it takes roughly two months to resume normal production,
whatever that was before TRT.
At best your T level will reach the pre-TRT level. However this was
presumably inadequate else you'd never take TRT, so even if you
"toughed it out" for two months it's unlikely you'd feel any better than
before starting TRT.
You can ease the transition off TRT by taking hCG, a prescription
injectable medication. However that only works if you have secondary
insufficiency (pituitary), not primary (testicles).
In your case I don't see how stopping Androgel (even if aided by hCG)
would help. Rather further tests are needed.
Presumably if you're still on the same Androgel dosage your T level
should be about the same. It's possible your poor libido/ED may have
another cause.
If your liver problems caused your estradiol level to increase, that might
block the effect of T. Certain prescription medications can also cause
poor libido/E. These include certain blood pressure meds, beta blockers,
diuretics, antidepressants, etc.
Other hormone problems such as thyroid deficiency, or high prolactin
can cause similar problems.
I'd suggest a complete hormone test, including free & total T, estradiol,
prolactin, thyroid.
Also review all meds taken for possible sexual side effects.
-- Joe D.
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