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Sex Drive

My sex drive has been zilch for a couple of years now.  Hypothyroid dx a couple of months ago (75 TSH).  This after extreme muscle fatigue etc. reached a point that I could no longer write it off to aging.  (I am 53).  Just curious, is zero sex drive possibly attributable to hypothyroid, and could this have been creeping up on me over several months?  Would love to give my husband a physiological reason for this!!!!  BTW, am now on 1 mcg synthroid, recently upped to 1.37, and feeling much better, although sex drive is still no where near what it used to be.  Thanks for any responses!  DJ
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Avatar universal
Oh Sex, what's that?
My husband and I were really happy in that department until I had my 3rd child which triggered Hashimotos and took 4 years to diagnose.  Finally found a good doctor!!!!  He said the immune problem that caused hashis can also throw out other Glands that produce hormones and ordered hormone tests.  He also said the tests are useless to him unless I had them done one week before my periods were due.  From my results he said that although my Testosterone was within  the correct ranges, it was too low for my age group.  He prescribed DHEA 10mg as he said that it helps to make the Testosterone I have function and can be converted in the body to make Testosterone (sex drive).  He also said that I have Oestrogen overload ( high Oestrogen)  which can be common with Hashi and needed to have it balanced with Progesterone.
I have to watch for symptoms of DHEA  facial hair, crappy skin etc.  But he said that in these cases (watching symptoms)  woman can require and do well on UP TO 25mg but had to be increased slowly (watching for symtoms) to find the right level for each individual.  
I have also had a positive test for Reverse T3 (which explained why my medicine wasn't helping me) and he has started me of T3 instead.

I will let you know if any of this affects my sex drive if you like.  It is so nice to find other women willing to talk about this subject as it has been worrying me for some time!
Cheers Lisa
Helpful - 0
200220 tn?1361951554
ditto to all comments.  I didn't know that this was a part of the thyroid until I read this forum.  I was totally normal but haven't been for the last two years.  I am starting to feel more like my old self - just a little bit and I think it will come back too.  Just don't know when.  I also have a really understanding husband.  
Linda
Helpful - 0
219522 tn?1251760629
Haven't had a sex drive since my daughter was born 15 years ago. Went from 100% during pregnancy to 0 post delivery. After a month or so on Synthroid, got a glimmer of desire again--for about a week. Then my dosage was increased, went hyper, lost interest again. Am self-titrating, alternating between 75 mcg and 88 mcg, and got a glimmer again this past weekend.

All to say that I think it will come back if we can get the blessed thyroid stable!!!
Helpful - 0
228015 tn?1223693378
Ummm NONE here either !!   I was beginning to think it was something like I wasnt happy or something.  THEN they found my thyroid problem and it made me wonder just how many marriages have been lost to this and people not knowing it is MEDICAL NOT MENTAL....I get angry thinking about it.  My hubby is wonderful and things are getting better, ALOT better since my TT and I am on meds now.  So hang in there...=)
Dana
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
Tell you dr WRONG!!!  Does soooo affect your sex drive!  They just don't get it, do they?  Almost every one on here has complained of no sex drive with the whole thyroid cr@p!  

32 years!  You mean it has not been regulated in that long?!  OMGosh, that is  w a y  too long!!!

Dac
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can relate to "NO SEX DRIVE". My husband says I'm broken and my doctor say I need therapy. I have had no sex drive for 16 years. It all started when I had my second child and my thyroid levels were fluctuating between too high and too low. My doctor says "your libido is not connected to your thyroid function." I have had a thyroid condition for 32 years and I do know that your thyroid function, or lack there of, can effect many things in your body.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
LOL!!
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
Nope, don't know what that is.  Tried googling it, but nothing about it donged on me.  Sorry, can't help you.

Dac (used to be DJ myself)
Helpful - 0
185634 tn?1257071139
Yep.  Mine is gone, which is totally not like me at all.  I had my thyroid removed on 8/6 and haven't been prescribed any meds while waiting for the RAI.  I'm pretty sure by the way I feel that I'm well into hypo, and have NO drive whatsoever.  Just chalk it up to one of the many wonderful side effects, I guess.  The only thing that keeps me going through all of this is the hopes that when I do start the meds, I'll start to feel better and be back to my old self again.  

Lori
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your response, Mary.   I also have hope.  Glad to finally have something to point to as a possible reason for low libido.  DJ
Helpful - 0
267147 tn?1189755836
Yes.  Low Thyroid definitely includes absent libido as a symptom and I have it big time.  My poor husband probably thinks it's him but I've tried to let him know that I can't help it.  I JUST started medication and have not noticed any effects in that department, but I have hope.  Try to keep the intimacy with your husband, even if that doesn't include intercourse.  My husband is super supportive of my efforts to get well but he really enjoys just sharing special time together - walks down memory lane - looking at old photos and laughing as much as possible.  (I know for me, laughing finally became almost impossible to fake...)  I really do have hope and expectation that my libido will improve with my improving health.

Hope yours does too!

Mary
Helpful - 0
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