chip douglas
New Member
it's a shame, as the way It didn't post the ordered way, I'd typed it out. It's still readable, but just not as much as originally.
MESO-Rx
Anabolic Steroids
Yet another loss of libido, impaired memory, and stress intolerance.
- Thread starter chip douglas
- Start date
chip douglas
New Member
Again, the diagnosis made by Dr. Eric Braverman was : Dysthymia and ADHD (the ADHD here being caused by the dysthymia based anxiety, at least that's what I was told).
I was told by another M.D. locally, that dysthymia is not supposed to affect sex drive that radically.
My libido gets better when I eat eggs, or Potassium supplements, or theanine, or zinc, or selenium, B6 and grape seed extracts.
I was surprised to find that dandelion root has boosted it too, and colostrum does just the same.
I have some idea why the above substances help, however I'd like to really pinpoint what is wrong.
I suspect the high progesterone might be tied to the low libido as well as total T, the low DHT for sure. Not being an M.D. myself it's hard to put my finger on what is wrong, although what first comes to mind is low testosterone. Further the TSH is suspicious of low thyroid functions.
The dysthymia diagnosis, I'm afraid is barely scratching the surface, as dysthymia is not to me a clear diagnosis, cause the real question is : Where does the dysthymia come from ? Low T, Low thyroid etc...
Thank you
Marc
I was told by another M.D. locally, that dysthymia is not supposed to affect sex drive that radically.
My libido gets better when I eat eggs, or Potassium supplements, or theanine, or zinc, or selenium, B6 and grape seed extracts.
I was surprised to find that dandelion root has boosted it too, and colostrum does just the same.
I have some idea why the above substances help, however I'd like to really pinpoint what is wrong.
I suspect the high progesterone might be tied to the low libido as well as total T, the low DHT for sure. Not being an M.D. myself it's hard to put my finger on what is wrong, although what first comes to mind is low testosterone. Further the TSH is suspicious of low thyroid functions.
The dysthymia diagnosis, I'm afraid is barely scratching the surface, as dysthymia is not to me a clear diagnosis, cause the real question is : Where does the dysthymia come from ? Low T, Low thyroid etc...
Thank you
Marc
In order to get a complete picture for thyroid, you need to do Free T4 and Free T3.
Are the BP's you are quoting been taken by a doctor/nurse, or by yourself with those BP machines. I have found the BP machines to not be very accurate.
B6 is supposed to reduce prolactin. Perhaps that's why your prolactin is so low.
BTW, your potassium is not below normal.
Your progesterone is not high.
Are the BP's you are quoting been taken by a doctor/nurse, or by yourself with those BP machines. I have found the BP machines to not be very accurate.
B6 is supposed to reduce prolactin. Perhaps that's why your prolactin is so low.
BTW, your potassium is not below normal.
Your progesterone is not high.
chip douglas
New Member
The BP's have been taken by me. I showed the BP monitor I bought to my PCP, and he said it was fine device. This is the BP monitor I have : http://www.lifesourceonline.com/and_med.nsf/html/UA-767
I wonder why no doctor to this day (and I've seen many since last year) have ordered Free T3 as well as Free T4 to be performed ? Something is obviously not right
Luckily it's relatively easy for me to have my PCP send me to have those thyroid test carried out, and I will. I just have to tell him I want them, and he checks the appropriate boxes and sends me on my way, however what's bothering is why doesn't he himself suggest me to have them done !!
1cc : Have you found anything standing out on my tests ?
About the B6, it cannot be it, as this is definately not something I took for a long time, I only took it off and on. B6 also shuts down the 5HT2 receptor for a transient period of time, and that in some men can lead to a dramatic increase in libido, only, that doesn't last very long, as the body likely tries to re-establish balance.
Thank 1cc, althoug I don't know you, I appreciate your input & help.
Marc
I wonder why no doctor to this day (and I've seen many since last year) have ordered Free T3 as well as Free T4 to be performed ? Something is obviously not right
Luckily it's relatively easy for me to have my PCP send me to have those thyroid test carried out, and I will. I just have to tell him I want them, and he checks the appropriate boxes and sends me on my way, however what's bothering is why doesn't he himself suggest me to have them done !!
1cc : Have you found anything standing out on my tests ?
About the B6, it cannot be it, as this is definately not something I took for a long time, I only took it off and on. B6 also shuts down the 5HT2 receptor for a transient period of time, and that in some men can lead to a dramatic increase in libido, only, that doesn't last very long, as the body likely tries to re-establish balance.
Thank 1cc, althoug I don't know you, I appreciate your input & help.
Marc
chip douglas said:
It's hard to believe, but they just don't know.
If you're still taking B6, it would be a good idea to stop because your prolactin is so low.
IGF-1 is low
DHT is low, which will cause low libido.
How reliable do you think those labs are that you took at pathmedical?
It would be a good idea to do the Adrenal Fatigue questionnaire in the book "Adrenal Fatigue" by Dr. James Wilson, just to eliminate the possibility that you may have Adrenal Fatigue.
chip douglas
New Member
Yeah at times, it's mind boggling what some doctors can omit.
Nope, I'm not taking B6 anymore, wel, in fact I only took some about 4 times in the last year. Any idea why PRL is that low ; stress ? You mentioned adrenal fatigue, can adrenal fatigue cause low PRL ? I know that my Dopamine from the BEAM test (Brain Electrical Activity Mapping) was high, so it might provide a likely explanation as to why the PRL is low.
on DHT, how does one raise it ? Could it be that I have too much activity of the 5-Alpha-reductase enzyme ?
As for the low IGF-1, I don't know exactly either--first the thyroid picture needs to be clear, but I went to bed very later at night for the past 5 years, which sure didn't help....my occupation kept me up late.
I thought that since my cortisol isn't high or that low, and that my DHEA is not low either, that adrenal fatigue could be ruled out ? Looks like I was wrong. Anyway, I won't take any chance and fill that questionaire for sure.
As for the Pathmedical tests reliability, I can tell you this : I'm mad at myself that I've ever been there in the first place. There's no way I'm going back ! I smell a rat with Dr. Braverman's medical practice as many do. What makes me even madder is I shelled out $5000 to consult with him. There's something that just smacks of money racket at that clinic. I definately don't have good things to say. I wish I had, but I just can't. Another guy I know in Washington went there and came out feeling let down. Someone had warned me not to go, but I took the gamble just the same.....I'm now $5000 poorer, without a clear diagnosis.....the more I write about it, the madder i get.
If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask me.
Thanks 1cc
Marc
Nope, I'm not taking B6 anymore, wel, in fact I only took some about 4 times in the last year. Any idea why PRL is that low ; stress ? You mentioned adrenal fatigue, can adrenal fatigue cause low PRL ? I know that my Dopamine from the BEAM test (Brain Electrical Activity Mapping) was high, so it might provide a likely explanation as to why the PRL is low.
on DHT, how does one raise it ? Could it be that I have too much activity of the 5-Alpha-reductase enzyme ?
As for the low IGF-1, I don't know exactly either--first the thyroid picture needs to be clear, but I went to bed very later at night for the past 5 years, which sure didn't help....my occupation kept me up late.
I thought that since my cortisol isn't high or that low, and that my DHEA is not low either, that adrenal fatigue could be ruled out ? Looks like I was wrong. Anyway, I won't take any chance and fill that questionaire for sure.
As for the Pathmedical tests reliability, I can tell you this : I'm mad at myself that I've ever been there in the first place. There's no way I'm going back ! I smell a rat with Dr. Braverman's medical practice as many do. What makes me even madder is I shelled out $5000 to consult with him. There's something that just smacks of money racket at that clinic. I definately don't have good things to say. I wish I had, but I just can't. Another guy I know in Washington went there and came out feeling let down. Someone had warned me not to go, but I took the gamble just the same.....I'm now $5000 poorer, without a clear diagnosis.....the more I write about it, the madder i get.
If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask me.
Thanks 1cc
Marc
chip douglas
New Member
1cc: Do you find my test to be too low at 406 ng/dl ?
I'll go and see my PCP to have Free T4 and Free T3 done either today or tomorrow.
Is the questionaire for adrenal fatigue online by any chance ?
Thanks
I'll go and see my PCP to have Free T4 and Free T3 done either today or tomorrow.
Is the questionaire for adrenal fatigue online by any chance ?
Thanks
chip douglas
New Member
I saw my primary care practitioner this afternoon. He wrote out a script for Free T3 and Free T4, and I'm going to have blood drawn tomorrow morning, so this is going to be dealt with quickly.
He said that that range thing for subclinical hypothyroid is not the same in Canada and in the U.S. He said it depends on the reagent used and lab analysis method, or processing. He seemed to think that my TSH score is fine, but just to humor me, sent me for FT4 and FT3. At least I didn't have to do battle with him to have it done. he also said that after all of the tests I've had done, there's definately not something serious about me, as they would have picked it up.....at least that's what he just told me.
Although nothing serious was uncovered through blood testing, my libido is stilll very very very low, and I'm determined to find out what's going on, as it kills what quality of life I should have.
Thanks
He said that that range thing for subclinical hypothyroid is not the same in Canada and in the U.S. He said it depends on the reagent used and lab analysis method, or processing. He seemed to think that my TSH score is fine, but just to humor me, sent me for FT4 and FT3. At least I didn't have to do battle with him to have it done. he also said that after all of the tests I've had done, there's definately not something serious about me, as they would have picked it up.....at least that's what he just told me.
Although nothing serious was uncovered through blood testing, my libido is stilll very very very low, and I'm determined to find out what's going on, as it kills what quality of life I should have.
Thanks
chip douglas
New Member
Anyone has any idea why taking 50 Mg potassium helps the low libido up to a noticeable extent ?
Thanks
Thanks
chip douglas
New Member
Your DHT is low and that affects libido. Your Free T should be higher as well.
**Thanks for the pointer on Ft.**
What exactly did this guy offer for $5000?
The blood work I've posted, a DXA scan, a BEAM test, plenty of questionaires, ABI test, GAMA test, a physical, Millon test, Myers Briggs test, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, Wechsler memory test, evoked potential, metabolic analysis. The $5000 takes into account the exchange rate, as I'm in Canada, but still that's what I had to pay to consult with him. As I said many times until now, had I known of Dr. Marianco, *no doubt* I would have met with him ! It'd cost me about $1500 to travel to Monterey and consult with him. $1500 is not THAT much, but considering the expenditure incurred from my consult with Dr. Braverman, I have to give it second thought--needless to say I'm quite unhappy with it all.
Anyway, If I can save some people the same mistake, I'll be happy. The minute I set foot in that clinic, I smelled a rat, and should have left straight away, and it did cross my mind to do so. I would have made an appointment elsewhere, or simply have turned my trip to NYC into a sightseeing one instead of a medical one. Spent 3 days there.
Marc
**Thanks for the pointer on Ft.**
What exactly did this guy offer for $5000?
The blood work I've posted, a DXA scan, a BEAM test, plenty of questionaires, ABI test, GAMA test, a physical, Millon test, Myers Briggs test, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, Wechsler memory test, evoked potential, metabolic analysis. The $5000 takes into account the exchange rate, as I'm in Canada, but still that's what I had to pay to consult with him. As I said many times until now, had I known of Dr. Marianco, *no doubt* I would have met with him ! It'd cost me about $1500 to travel to Monterey and consult with him. $1500 is not THAT much, but considering the expenditure incurred from my consult with Dr. Braverman, I have to give it second thought--needless to say I'm quite unhappy with it all.
Anyway, If I can save some people the same mistake, I'll be happy. The minute I set foot in that clinic, I smelled a rat, and should have left straight away, and it did cross my mind to do so. I would have made an appointment elsewhere, or simply have turned my trip to NYC into a sightseeing one instead of a medical one. Spent 3 days there.
Marc
chip douglas
New Member
I completed the questionnaire of Dr. James Wilson for adrenal fatigue. Have a look at this. It seems indeed I have severe adrenal fatigue.
Total number of questions answered : 55
Total points : 137
Severity index : 2.4
Asterisks total : 4
I like the way the questionnaire manages the scores, I find it to provide a clear indication of adrenal fatigue severity for those who do have it.
I guess it's self explanatory, but I'd like to hear what you have to say.
Total number of questions answered : 55
Total points : 137
Severity index : 2.4
Asterisks total : 4
I like the way the questionnaire manages the scores, I find it to provide a clear indication of adrenal fatigue severity for those who do have it.
I guess it's self explanatory, but I'd like to hear what you have to say.
chip douglas said:
In order to confirm Adrenal Fatigue, you need to do a blood DHEA Sulfate test, and the Saliva Cortisol x4 samples. If both your DHEA Sulfate and Saliva Cortisol is low, it would confirm Adrenal Fatigue.
As far as the last Saliva Cortisol you did which shows normal levels, were you taking any supplements that may have increased your Cortisol at that time, such as Vitamin C, Vit B5, Ginseng, Adrenal Glandulars, Hydrocortisone?
chip douglas
New Member
I was not taking Vitamin C, no Hydrocrotisone, no B5, no glandulars, and no DHEA exogenous supplement either.
Take into account that my salivary cortisol (4 points) and DHEA (salivary) were both done at a time where I felt noticeably worse than I do now.
My last DHEA-S blood test was performed last November one week after i returned from New York. Here's the result :
DHEA-S : 11.6 umol/L reference range : 4.0-16.3 umol/L
I thought I could at long last blame what I've had on adrenal fatigue, but now it doesn't look like it. The problem might lie somwhere else, but where ?
Many thanks
Take into account that my salivary cortisol (4 points) and DHEA (salivary) were both done at a time where I felt noticeably worse than I do now.
My last DHEA-S blood test was performed last November one week after i returned from New York. Here's the result :
DHEA-S : 11.6 umol/L reference range : 4.0-16.3 umol/L
I thought I could at long last blame what I've had on adrenal fatigue, but now it doesn't look like it. The problem might lie somwhere else, but where ?
Many thanks
chip douglas
New Member
Of course I still need to take the FT4/FT3 blood test in order to rule out any thyroid issue.
Could it all stem from a mere nutrient deficiency (health complaints that I've had) as a possibility ?
I was relieved some to see my symptom picture could be blamed on adrenal fatigue, but now my hopes are somewhat down.
Thanks
Could it all stem from a mere nutrient deficiency (health complaints that I've had) as a possibility ?
I was relieved some to see my symptom picture could be blamed on adrenal fatigue, but now my hopes are somewhat down.
Thanks
chip douglas
New Member
At this point if it's not adrenal fatigue, what else could be causing such low sex drive aside from low thyroid ? My primary care physician agreed to send to have the FT4/FT3 tests, but he really seemed to do it thinking my thyroid is doing fine. He didn't say that word for word, but almost.
If I do not have adrenal fatigue and that my thyroid proved to be doing fine, then what else ? Maybe then i'll start considering Dr. Braverman's diagnosis of : Dysthymia/ADHD.
Best regards and thanks all.
If I do not have adrenal fatigue and that my thyroid proved to be doing fine, then what else ? Maybe then i'll start considering Dr. Braverman's diagnosis of : Dysthymia/ADHD.
Best regards and thanks all.
chip douglas
New Member
My libido is way low, and I very rarely have any morning woods. That being said, I cannot blame the low morning erection on poor blood flow, as I had a penile vascularity exam performed, and the circulation is way fine down there.
My sex drive goes up each time I have eggs, but not other protein sources though, and then I have full-on erections. So what's lacking is the spark/desire.
My sex drive goes up each time I have eggs, but not other protein sources though, and then I have full-on erections. So what's lacking is the spark/desire.
You scored pretty high on the Adrenal questionnaire, so as long as you answered it correctly and accurately, it should be taken seriously. Wait for the results of the thyroid lab, and let's see what it looks like. You could then try some supplements to increase cortisol for a few days and see if that makes you feel better or not.
If you have Adrenal problems, then you should be fatigued all the time and this fatigue is not relieved by sleep. You should have low blood pressure. You should crave sweet or salty foods. You should have hypoglycemia which is relieved by eating. Three hours after eating, you should feel bad, because your blood sugar starts to drop, at which point eating will make you feel better. Unable to handle stress. Everything is a chore.
As I mentioned before, your DHT is low (if Pathmedicals lab is to be relied upon) and that will affect libido, your Free T (non-pathmedical) should be higher too. You might want to repeat DHT lab and do Estradiol as well.
If you have Adrenal problems, then you should be fatigued all the time and this fatigue is not relieved by sleep. You should have low blood pressure. You should crave sweet or salty foods. You should have hypoglycemia which is relieved by eating. Three hours after eating, you should feel bad, because your blood sugar starts to drop, at which point eating will make you feel better. Unable to handle stress. Everything is a chore.
As I mentioned before, your DHT is low (if Pathmedicals lab is to be relied upon) and that will affect libido, your Free T (non-pathmedical) should be higher too. You might want to repeat DHT lab and do Estradiol as well.
I read the book and did the test I do feel I have a problem and started taking my Temp 60 some days ago. At first it was on average only 97 to 97.6. I am Hypopituitary so how bad my Adrenals are are hard to say. I started on supplements when I started doing my Temp. This is what I tryed.
End Fatigue Adrenal Stress-End.
http://www.myvitanet.com/adsolfrac50c.html
B-comp.
http://www.myvitanet.com/endfadaenbco.html
Vit. C 3 pills a day.
http://www.myvitanet.com/supbiocbuf36.html
I also do DHEA 25 mgs a day.
At first I thought my Temp was going up and down by what dose of Arimidex I was taking but later found this not to be the case.
In the last 10 days my Temp has come up to 98.2 to 98.6 on average. I notice my breathing is much better now and have a little more engery started walking for exercise yesterday.
I also got some Sea Salt yesterday and took 1/2 tsp full in a 24 oz bottle of water. After drinking it I felt like I was a little high strange. This morning I did 1/4 tsp full in a 8oz glass of water and it's like everything is in focus now hard to explain.
I had test's done last Wed. so we will see how it's going. But I feel the supplement's helped a lot.
End Fatigue Adrenal Stress-End.
http://www.myvitanet.com/adsolfrac50c.html
B-comp.
http://www.myvitanet.com/endfadaenbco.html
Vit. C 3 pills a day.
http://www.myvitanet.com/supbiocbuf36.html
I also do DHEA 25 mgs a day.
At first I thought my Temp was going up and down by what dose of Arimidex I was taking but later found this not to be the case.
In the last 10 days my Temp has come up to 98.2 to 98.6 on average. I notice my breathing is much better now and have a little more engery started walking for exercise yesterday.
I also got some Sea Salt yesterday and took 1/2 tsp full in a 24 oz bottle of water. After drinking it I felt like I was a little high strange. This morning I did 1/4 tsp full in a 8oz glass of water and it's like everything is in focus now hard to explain.
I had test's done last Wed. so we will see how it's going. But I feel the supplement's helped a lot.
chip douglas
New Member
If you have Adrenal problems, then you should be fatigued all the time and this fatigue is not relieved by sleep. You should have low blood pressure. You should crave sweet or salty foods. You should have hypoglycemia which is relieved by eating. Three hours after eating, you should feel bad, because your blood sugar starts to drop, at which point eating will make you feel better. Unable to handle stress. Everything is a chore.
I used to be fatigued all the time 8 years ago, and that remained so until about 2 years ago. From the get-go until now, my condition has slowly but constantly improved. I was to state that my energy level is not that low, BUT one thing that REALLY comes out in the symptom cluster is that indeed EVERYTHING feels like a chore to me. So if everything feels like a chore to me and that I keep putting things off, it's likely because my energy level is not that high at all. However what caused me to almost say that I'm not fatigued all the time, is probably because back a few years ago, I knew a much lower energy level, thus it almost lead me to say that my energy level was not so bad now. The kind of fatigue I experience (although less severe than what I experienced years ago) is much of the time not truly relieved by sleep.
Just took my BP which scored: 109/61 with bpm at : 74
I do crave sugars, gee you bet I do, most especially late in the afternoon roughly between 3:30--4:30. The cravings most of the time start at about 3 something. During those cravings I often feel annoyingly confused, and get this sense of mental exhaustion, and really don't feel like doing anything. I also difficulty thinking straight, and my memory issues get worse then. At times I have myself needing to lie down for about 20 minutes which helped. But it is at those moments that I badly crave sugary foods. Eating does help relieve those symptoms. However what's weird is that most of the time when I have those symptoms my BG is not low--it usually reads : 5.0 mmol or 90 mg/dl though I still have some of the above symptoms. I've on occasions found my BG to be low when I had the same above mentioned symptoms, though more severe. I have two glucometer, and both give the same readings, so it's got to be accurate.
Salty foods : um I happen feel like eating salty foods, but it's not as predominant is eating sugar is.
Since like I mentioned above, everything is a chore, thus contributing to my innability to handle stress. I feel overwhelmed by what any day brings, and not much of what I should do gets done. Psychologically I feel drained/exhausted at the thought of doing any of the things i should be doing on each day. I used to be the type of guy with a LOT of energy and a very strong libido, but this old me is no more.
**Could stress or adrenal fatigue be a cause for low Free T and DHT ? I think it's important that I know about this detail/link, if any.
If I think of anything else I'll post it.
I used to be fatigued all the time 8 years ago, and that remained so until about 2 years ago. From the get-go until now, my condition has slowly but constantly improved. I was to state that my energy level is not that low, BUT one thing that REALLY comes out in the symptom cluster is that indeed EVERYTHING feels like a chore to me. So if everything feels like a chore to me and that I keep putting things off, it's likely because my energy level is not that high at all. However what caused me to almost say that I'm not fatigued all the time, is probably because back a few years ago, I knew a much lower energy level, thus it almost lead me to say that my energy level was not so bad now. The kind of fatigue I experience (although less severe than what I experienced years ago) is much of the time not truly relieved by sleep.
Just took my BP which scored: 109/61 with bpm at : 74
I do crave sugars, gee you bet I do, most especially late in the afternoon roughly between 3:30--4:30. The cravings most of the time start at about 3 something. During those cravings I often feel annoyingly confused, and get this sense of mental exhaustion, and really don't feel like doing anything. I also difficulty thinking straight, and my memory issues get worse then. At times I have myself needing to lie down for about 20 minutes which helped. But it is at those moments that I badly crave sugary foods. Eating does help relieve those symptoms. However what's weird is that most of the time when I have those symptoms my BG is not low--it usually reads : 5.0 mmol or 90 mg/dl though I still have some of the above symptoms. I've on occasions found my BG to be low when I had the same above mentioned symptoms, though more severe. I have two glucometer, and both give the same readings, so it's got to be accurate.
Salty foods : um I happen feel like eating salty foods, but it's not as predominant is eating sugar is.
Since like I mentioned above, everything is a chore, thus contributing to my innability to handle stress. I feel overwhelmed by what any day brings, and not much of what I should do gets done. Psychologically I feel drained/exhausted at the thought of doing any of the things i should be doing on each day. I used to be the type of guy with a LOT of energy and a very strong libido, but this old me is no more.
**Could stress or adrenal fatigue be a cause for low Free T and DHT ? I think it's important that I know about this detail/link, if any.
If I think of anything else I'll post it.
