How can a person have low T and a still high sex drive?

anyman

Member
As regulars herer may recall, I've been dealing with low T and have spent considerable time and effort on research. So far, my low SHBG and probably insulin resistance would appear to be major factors. I'll know more, I hope, when I finally meet with Dr Shippen later this month.

In the interim, however, what puzzles me is my still active sex drive despite low T (200 +/-). All I have to do is see a great pair of boobs and the urge is their, even if my response is somewhat erratic. There are times when I wonder if a lower sex drive would be easier......

At this rate I'll wear out my computer doing all this research. Gives me a good excuse for a new one. I've been eyeing the 17" Macbook Pro as of late. Just waiting for the big OS update due this fall. Too bad Apples are so expensive, which is made worse by the extra cost extended warranty. But, then again, I've had it with windows and all it's nonsense,
 
low sex drive is horrible. i can get an erection most the time (although not nearly as hard as used to be) but it pretty useless wen im never in the mood for sex. hard to deal w especially w a gf or wife
 
I must ask you, then -- why are you seeking testosterone replacement? What are your symptoms?

Some men operate perfectly fine with lower levels of testosterone, perhaps due to a higher sensitivity to the hormone or due to the specific balance of other hormones.
 
Why seek TRT? Where do I start?

ViolatedBird said:
I must ask you, then -- why are you seeking testosterone replacement? What are your symptoms?

Some men operate perfectly fine with lower levels of testosterone, perhaps due to a higher sensitivity to the hormone or due to the specific balance of other hormones.
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My T is at only 200 +/-, which is low according to pretty much any scale I know of, especially since I am only in my early 40s. What prompted my odyssey was sudden and never before seen bouts of ED and PE as well as an unusual 15 lb or so weight gain around the middle and declining performance at the gym. Add to the mix general irritation, less energy and an increasingly pissed off at the world attitude and here I am.

Since my quest began I have discovered I have very low SHBG (11) and am increasingly suspecting insulin resistance as a major factor despite the fact that I exercise regularly and generally eat well. Right now I am rather PO'd at the universe for inflicting an utterly stupid affliction on me and am even more PO'd at my body for not beign able to fix it.
 
Libido is the result of a complex interaction of hormones and psychology. It's not as simple as raising your T or popping a PDE5 inhibitor.

Although your T is low, the other variables appear to be in line for you....so you have high libido despite your low T.
 
I also had all the signs of low T (no energy, no motivation, loss of lean mass, etc.). I had it tested and found I did indeed have low T. Like you though, I still had my libido intact. I do think your psyche has a lot to do with that.
 
Would it be easier not to have a sex drive?

fbcoach said:
I also had all the signs of low T (no energy, no motivation, loss of lean mass, etc.). I had it tested and found I did indeed have low T. Like you though, I still had my libido intact. I do think your psyche has a lot to do with that.
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Might make me less angry at the situation and less frustrated. I still work, although more intermittently and with less "force".

2 more weeks till I see Dr Shippen. Don't know whether to look forward to it or dread or for fear of what I might hear.
 
yeahright said:
Libido is the result of a complex interaction of hormones and psychology. It's not as simple as raising your T or popping a PDE5 inhibitor.
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Definitely. I believe getting my T in line will certainly increase my libido somewhat, however, I also believe that part of my libido issue is directly related to my making a lot of bad choices when my libido was high. In other words, I think that I 'willed' my libido to lower because of my tendency to need more than I want, and letting that need get me in several jams in my past. I do want some of the ol' pressure back, but not all of it by any means.
 
anyman said:
Might make me less angry at the situation and less frustrated. I still work, although more intermittently and with less "force".

2 more weeks till I see Dr Shippen. Don't know whether to look forward to it or dread or for fear of what I might hear.
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Seeing an expert and getting to the root of the problem is a good thing. Otherwise, you may just be applying band-aids for a long long time. In other words, instead of just fixing the symptoms, Dr. Shippen will address the cause.
 
fit4life05 said:
low sex drive is horrible. i can get an erection most the time (although not nearly as hard as used to be) but it pretty useless wen im never in the mood for sex. hard to deal w especially w a gf or wife
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I hear ya man! I also can get hard-ons, but it's just not the same. Erections are not nearly as strong as they once where. There is little or no feeling during sex, and no climax. I even have to seriously strain/concentrate when trying to unload during masturbation. Boooooooooo :rofl:

I have ruined lots of women's egos, and thus relationships. My bad! LOL :(
 
my test was in the 220s, and also no libido issue. Well just the general managing to satisfy it it issues we all face :D "not tonite, i'm tired"
 
Thanks, Dr. John- A follow up if I might:

Dr. John said:
Bottom line question.

However, if he indeed does suffer insulin resistance, TRT is the best treatment in the world. Let me amend that: AFTER diet and exercise.
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At the outset, what is the best definitive test for insulin rsistance? Is it a 2 hr glucose tolerance test?

I eat well and exercise regularly (weights and cardio). I'm 6' and about 212 +/- and could stand to lose about 15-20 from the middle, most of which suddenly arose about 2 yrs ago--right around when all this started. I ascribe the weight gain to Paxil, which I used for 1 1/2 yrs and still wonder if it was prescribed for what may have been early signs of low T.

Is it possible that this modest weight gain triggered insulin resistance and has thus put me into a vicious cycle? I wonder if genetics is a component. My mom has type 2 diabetes.

I'd still love to fix the root cause and not be dependent on TRT or other "crutches" if at all possible. Such may ultimately be impractical, but I havn't given up hope.
 
Dr. John said:
The Sarcastic One has summed it up well.
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I can attest to yeahright's quote!! I had my T levels off the chart and still had problems.

Befores seeking help, I was completely unable to function sexually with T levels in the low 400's.

I'm 3 weeks into Dr John's protocol and should be stablizing by now. Couple of weeks and it will be time for more blood work.
 
So, how are things going after visiting Dr J?

SoMdHunter said:
I can attest to yeahright's quote!! I had my T levels off the chart and still had problems.

Befores seeking help, I was completely unable to function sexually with T levels in the low 400's.

I'm 3 weeks into Dr John's protocol and should be stablizing by now. Couple of weeks and it will be time for more blood work.
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I'll be blunt: What have you done and, more importantly, how are you feeling/doing?
 
smc252 said:
I hear ya man! I also can get hard-ons, but it's just not the same. Erections are not nearly as strong as they once where. There is little or no feeling during sex, and no climax. I even have to seriously strain/concentrate when trying to unload during masturbation. Boooooooooo :rofl:

I have ruined lots of women's egos, and thus relationships. My bad! LOL :(
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I sure can relate to your situation on all aspect. Like me, you seem to still have a good sense of humor, which helps at time.
Stunning the amount of men like us who suffer in silence.
 
Dr. John said:
1. The assay was bad
2. Your SHBG is low enough that even with lower T you still have enough BioT to make you happy.
3.You have some awesome receptors.
4. Everyone is different. This is what is right for you. This is why I never shoot for some preset number with TRT. The goal is results--not serum concentration. This is also why TRT must be individualized.
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Well stated
 
I second Anyman's question:

What is the proper test that we (with low SHBG) should request to test for for insulin resistance?
 
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