I had my testosterone tested, and the total number came back as 26. From my reading, this seems to be on the low side. Would a number like this (coupled with estradiol of 38) cause the total lack of libido I'm experiencing? MY FSH and LH numbers are low, so the doctors keep telling me I'm not in perimenopause. I'm considering going on birth control pills, in order to boost my estrogen. But I have also heard that they can lower testosterone levels, and I'm afraid mine are borderline low as it is. I'm not a fan of the pill (took it in my 20s and it squashed my libido back then), but I'm getting desperate. FTR, I'm a 36-year-old mom of two boys (an almost 6 year old and an almost 2 year old).
Thanks so much for any input!
Kimberly
Full Version: What is a good testosterone level?
Kimberly,
Dr. Vliet in her Testosterone book recommends a testosterone level of 40-60 ng/dl. She also says to feel good our estradiol level needs to be above 90-100.
From what I have read libido comes from the correct ratio of estradiol to testosterone. For you, adding a small amount of estradiol to get your level up above 90-100 may help. It probably should be topical because oral estrogens cause binding of testosterone. You may also be helped with just a small dose of testosterone.
An estradiol level of 38 is LOW. It sounds like you need to find a better doctor who has a clue and is willing to let you try some human hormones. Why do they even care about the FSH LH when your estradiol is too low?
Progesterone can cause a decrease in libido. With birth control pills you take a synthetic progestin with every active pill. The pill may alter your libido as well (oral causing a binding of testosterone and daily progestin which decreases libido).
Kathy
Dr. Vliet in her Testosterone book recommends a testosterone level of 40-60 ng/dl. She also says to feel good our estradiol level needs to be above 90-100.
From what I have read libido comes from the correct ratio of estradiol to testosterone. For you, adding a small amount of estradiol to get your level up above 90-100 may help. It probably should be topical because oral estrogens cause binding of testosterone. You may also be helped with just a small dose of testosterone.
An estradiol level of 38 is LOW. It sounds like you need to find a better doctor who has a clue and is willing to let you try some human hormones. Why do they even care about the FSH LH when your estradiol is too low?
Progesterone can cause a decrease in libido. With birth control pills you take a synthetic progestin with every active pill. The pill may alter your libido as well (oral causing a binding of testosterone and daily progestin which decreases libido).
Kathy
QUOTE (584296a @ Aug 13 2007, 10:31 AM) 
Kimberly,
Dr. Vliet in her Testosterone book recommends a testosterone level of 40-60 ng/dl. She also says to feel good our estradiol level needs to be above 90-100.
From what I have read libido comes from the correct ratio of estradiol to testosterone. For you, adding a small amount of estradiol to get your level up above 90-100 may help. It probably should be topical because oral estrogens cause binding of testosterone. You may also be helped with just a small dose of testosterone.
An estradiol level of 38 is LOW. It sounds like you need to find a better doctor who has a clue and is willing to let you try some human hormones. Why do they even care about the FSH LH when your estradiol is too low?
Progesterone can cause a decrease in libido. With birth control pills you take a synthetic progestin with every active pill. The pill may alter your libido as well (oral causing a binding of testosterone and daily progestin which decreases libido).
Kathy
Dr. Vliet in her Testosterone book recommends a testosterone level of 40-60 ng/dl. She also says to feel good our estradiol level needs to be above 90-100.
From what I have read libido comes from the correct ratio of estradiol to testosterone. For you, adding a small amount of estradiol to get your level up above 90-100 may help. It probably should be topical because oral estrogens cause binding of testosterone. You may also be helped with just a small dose of testosterone.
An estradiol level of 38 is LOW. It sounds like you need to find a better doctor who has a clue and is willing to let you try some human hormones. Why do they even care about the FSH LH when your estradiol is too low?
Progesterone can cause a decrease in libido. With birth control pills you take a synthetic progestin with every active pill. The pill may alter your libido as well (oral causing a binding of testosterone and daily progestin which decreases libido).
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy! It's really amazing to me that NONE of the doctors I've seen seems to think my estradiol is anything but totally normal and fine. WTH?? Yes, a doctor with even a bit of a clue would be nice. Just need to find one! Easier said than done....
QUOTE (aus2007 @ Aug 14 2007, 12:54 PM)
Thank you, Kathy! It's really amazing to me that NONE of the doctors I've seen seems to think my estradiol is anything but totally normal and fine. WTH?? Yes, a doctor with even a bit of a clue would be nice. Just need to find one! Easier said than done....
Ain't that the truth!
Zelma
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