Hypo and low testosterone in females.... is it a thing?

[Murphysmum]

As above!

I’ve been struggling with muscle weakness all the time I’ve had problems with my hypo.

It’s better with T3 but I’m seriously struggling to build or even maintain muscle and this is now causing other issues.

Ive looked up the symptoms of low testosterone and I tick every box! I’m wondering how much of my muscle problems are a requirement of more T3 or if actually there is something else at play. I know my progesterone is on the low side since my “crash” but can thyroid issues affect testosterone too?

[greygoose]

Thyroid problems can affect all other hormones, because they're all interconnected. If you've had low T3 for some time, and are now having trouble building muscle, you might want to check our your Human Growth Hormone. That could be low, and without decent levels of that, you won't build muscle.

[Murphysmum in reply to greygoose]

Ooh, interesting thanks.

I hadn’t considered this, just thought of testosterone as being linked to muscle and ran with it! I’ll have a look into that.

I don’t know for sure if my T3 has been low for a long time but I suspect so. Obviously I only started checking it after I became ill and started reading on here but I think maybe I didn’t convert very well ever and my T3 slowly decreased to the point of being a problem.

Is that possible? Seems odd that levo just stopped working

[greygoose in reply to Murphysmum]

Doubtful the levo just 'stopped working'. It's a hormone, it can't stop working. However, it is possible that, for whatever reason, your conversion got worse, yes. So very many things can affect conversion.

[Murphysmum in reply to greygoose]

Thanks.

I thought that was the case so it’s more likely the conversion got worse.

I read once that you have T3 stores in brain, muscle etc and that these can deplete over time. Is this the case? Fits with my experience but could also be complete codswallop!

[greygoose in reply to Murphysmum]

You don't have stores of T3 anywhere. The half-life of T3 is about 24 hours, so at least half of it has gone by the time you take your next dose the following day. What gets into the cells stays there for about three days, but that's not really a store, and needs to be replenished every day.

[Murphysmum in reply to greygoose]

Ok so probably my conversion has just got worse over time.

Again thanks, I always have questions popping into my head - usually while out walking that I can’t remember by the time I get back!

[greygoose in reply to Murphysmum]

Ah, you should always carry a notebook and pencil with you at all times. It's a life-saver!

[Murphysmum in reply to greygoose]

😂 I really should!

[Tillpickle]

I’d absolutely look into your testosterone levels too 😊