Low Labido is distressing ! Anyone else experiencing this with under active thyroid ?

[Italy2017]

No labido at all ( age 58) had thyrodecromy when I was 27 ( over active). Turned underactive late 40’s. I take 100mgs leverthroxine. Any.....

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Italy2017

Very common.

Are you optimally medicated? What are your latest test results?

[endomad]

My tt 2009 age 49 my libido nose dived after as did my energy and I suddenly started getting chronic joint pain, muscle pain, fibroids and a host of pther symptoms. It has taken till 2015 to start getting better, I would say I am now optimal on all vits etc and feel 80% back to me but libido never came back, zilch, nothing.

I had to have a long talk with hubby so he knows it's not him I just have no frisky thoughts or feelings at all. My gp just said we'll you've been through the menopause blah blah I sometimes feel sad about it. I have tried taking things like Maca powder but no change. No answer I'm afraid but in my other group it is the norm some girls in their 20's so it is all ages and very common. Xx

[Hashi-Monster]

I am 46 and I’ve had zero libido for the past 2.5 years which was around the time all my other hypo symptoms ramped up. I hope once I’m optimally medicated at least some of it will return otherwise I will have to look into HRT.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many. Note especially his comments on current inadequate treatment following thyroidectomy

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[Nickythepike]

Hi Italy 2017,

Yes, my libido has crashed over the last 10 years of having an under active thyroid for 12 years...110% down to 10% if I'm lucky! Having an understanding partner and communicating thoughts and feelings. Letting them know the symptoms of your thyroid can help.

I think it's a highly under discussed issue. I have been treated on T4 for the last 10 years with gradually worsening symptoms over the last 2 years but little resolution or change from GP.

I went private to get gene DIO2 tests which showed I'm a poor converter of T4 to T3. It was with these results that my GP referred me to endocrinology. I am now on a trial of T4/T3, plus I take vitamin B complex, vit D +++, magnesium tablets and Epsom salts for bath. I also discussed my low libido with my Endocrinologist and they have take a bundle of blood tests?

I have had improved symptoms already which is hopeful for my trial only 10 days on my new medication.

Have you had recently had tests with TSH, FT4 and FT3?...private DIO2 test information is on Thyroid UK site if there is a family history maybe useful...if you had endocrinology review they would check all your vitamin levels plus TPO and TGAb. Plus they can check to see if the symptoms are menopause related?

Hope any of my ramblings have helped.

Best of luck.

NTP🐟

[revkrow]

I have hashimotos and have experienced similar problems and it's helpful to know that I'm not the only one. I wish there was something I could do about it. Thank you for posting about it. No answers but would welcome suggestions.

[Peanut31]

I turned 40 in January and I have zero libido now, I had a little bit before I started Levo, but,it is zero now, no frisky thoughts nothing.

Best Wishes

Peanut31