My last sex hormone blood test showed my testosterone at 1.91!(range of 0.10-1.42) This concerns my Endo doc who has been amazing treating my thyroid issues, but has now informed me that AFTER age 60 you shouldn't BEGIN hrt. 😪 So, that's out of the question for me since I'll be 70 this year. I do take a low dose of Oestrogen every 4 days.
He is suggesting a couple of drugs (Trazadone or Vortioxetine) which are anti-depressants that also have the side effects of lowering testosterone, but increasing libido. Since I need ALL three of those effects, this seems like a good route... but... when I got lost in the Google rabbit hole, it seemed that these might not be the best choice.
Has anyone else had these issues? And have you found any solutions?
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wavedancers
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Out of curiosity, what symptoms are you trying to treat here, which you are relating to your sex hormones and considering addressing with antidepressants?
I have suffered from depression for many years… and have zero libido. My endo said that a very high level of testosterone can have that effect… oddly enough. These medications to treat depression have a side effect of lowering testosterone.
I see you have enviable free Ts from your previous posts!
Also let’s see who else weighs in here as I am barely qualified with just an opinion…
The very first thing I thought when I read your post was - never trust a doctor offering antidepressants.
Although, you say you have been suffering from depression for years, so I would ask - have you ever been treated? We all know depression is often a SYMPTOM vs a root cause. But your Free Ts do look good… So wondering how you have addressed your depression in the past.
Are you aware if your depression is caused by something like your thyroid, maybe pcos? Anything else? do you yourself believe you need antidepressants to treat your depression?
Lastly, if antidepressants are effective at doing what you say, it does not look like the first or obvious choice. Coupled with my distrust of any doctor recommending antidepressants… I agree with you I would not jump into it lightly (unless your history of depression provides more context.)
Ps. I too have read no HRT starting after 60… but… you are already on estrogen…? Isn’t that HRT?
You can still start BHRT in your 60s , 70s etc. You just need to find a BHRT who isn't a dinosaur in this respect or so keen to put you on all the meds under the sun instead. He is the exception rather than the rule thankfully.
I’m 63 and have just been put on HRT by my Endo as a treatment for osteoporosis. GP had refused to prescribe it because it’s “not a recognised NHS treatment for osteoporosis”which isn’t true.
My private endo recommended I read a book “Oestrogen Matters” and start HRT (in my 60’s) on a low dose daily, transdermally, thus avoiding the liver and minimising the risk of blood clots. His advice was that the huge benefits of HRT outweighs the small risks. I was doubtful, but the book convinced me. There has been a lot of flawed research on HRT, so it can be hard to know who to believe, and doctors can give completely different advice, depending on which research they believe. You definitely sound as though your hormones need balancing. Maybe get advice from a gynaecologist or a more holistic endo.
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