Will 'restart' meds do anything if you have hypogonadal symptoms, but ...

[mikzsan]

I've had libido and muscle wastage issues since 2008 after Accutane. I'm 32 now.


Ive tried a lot of things and two things worked somewhat- L dopa (caused insomnia so stopped), and HCG at only 100 IU E3D.


There is precedent for giving HCG purely for libido as well.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3307093


I dont have access to HCG anymore through doc, so Im wondering if low dose Clomid / Torimefene or any other endocrine agent would likely have any benefit for me in terms of restoring a sense of well being?

Or do they only do anything if you are truly hypogonadal?

I appreciate any advice at all.


Blood androgens (other bloods and MRI all normal).

[mikzsan]

Bump

[kelkel]

Well, low LH = low T without question. Glad you ruled out adenomas with your MRI. Accutane lowers LH but I'm not sure how long-term deleterious it is. Haven't read on it in some time. That said, Clomid would be my choice in your shoes as well to stimulate LH production to a desired level. After a period of time you'd need to come off to see if your endogenous production holds to a higher level or not.

Both Clomid and HCG Mono are forms of TRT. Clomid is stimulatory to your pituitary whereas HCG over time is suppressive, which you do not need.

[mikzsan]

Well, low LH = low T without question. Glad you ruled out adenomas with your MRI. Accutane lowers LH but I'm not sure how long-term deleterious it is. Haven't read on it in some time. That said, Clomid would be my choice in your shoes as well to stimulate LH production to a desired level. After a period of time you'd need to come off to see if your endogenous production holds to a higher level or not.

Both Clomid and HCG Mono are forms of TRT. Clomid is stimulatory to your pituitary whereas HCG over time is suppressive, which you do not need.

Thanks,
Ill try Clomid at a minimum dose such as 12.5 E3D. I agree with HCG ...even if I did have access to it again , its not ideal at all being suppressive, unless Clomid failed?

[kelkel]

Thanks,
Ill try Clomid at a minimum dose such as 12.5 E3D. I agree with HCG...even if I did have access to it again , its not ideal at all being suppressive, unless Clomid failed?

Did you rule out thyroid issues, prolactin and cortisol as well? If clomid were to fail and you were diagnosed as secondary hypogonadal then TRT is in your future. At that point HCG Mono would not be my choice at all. It's used very minimally as the subjective benefits (anecdotally) just don't seem to be there as compared to actual T replacement.

[Mr.BB]

Thanks,
Ill try Clomid at a minimum dose such as 12.5 E3D. I agree with HCG...even if I did have access to it again , its not ideal at all being suppressive, unless Clomid failed?

Your bloodwork doesnt show hypogonadism, so dont know if the slight increase in testosterone clomid can give you would do anything.

Accutane is a strong drug, and some ppl report severe depression on it... Would think it would be more likely to cause you those problems.

[mikzsan]

Hi

My latest free T is 300 pmol/l (scale 260-740) and total T is 17.5 nmol/l (12-31.9), so like people said not hypogonadism and I suppose that is good news at the end of the day.

That said, I still feel like garbage, and for non hypogonadal loss of libido + muscle, there really isn't anything to take that's indicated for that here.

HCG at only 100 IU x 3 / week , reliably boosted my libido to about 4/10 from 0 or 1. Doc no longer will supply it.

That's what lead me to thinking a very small dose of clomid may give the same subjective benefits...

[ryobi1]

I would listen to kelkel and get your thyroid checked,
which can also contribute to muscle wasting, although
not famillier with accutane which as you stated was the
cause of this condition, but it wouldnt hurt to check,
TSH, Free T4, at minimum, Free T3 as well, antibodies.
the thyroid can really affect your moods, I had 1/2 mine
removed and I was a emotional roller coaster, i am certain
many drugs alter the production levels of the thyroid, as
going for a catscan made mine give up the ghost, when
they make you drink that iodine loaded solution it was too much
for it to handle.....

[Closhmo]

I've had libido and muscle wastage issues since 2008 after Accutane. I'm 32 now.


Ive tried a lot of things and two things worked somewhat- L dopa (caused insomnia so stopped), and HCG at only 100 IU E3D.


There is precedent for giving HCG purely for libido as well.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3307093


I dont have access to HCG anymore through doc, so Im wondering if low dose Clomid / Torimefene or any other endocrine agent would likely have any benefit for me in terms of restoring a sense of well being?

Or do they only do anything if you are truly hypogonadal?

I appreciate any advice at all.


Blood androgens (other bloods and MRI all normal).

accutane can cause hypogonadal symptoms?

[mikzsan]

accutane can cause hypogonadal symptoms?

Sadly yes.