![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Thrud on February 18, 2002, at 23:34:43
I was tested for various hormones to see if there was a reason why I get sexual dysfunction from so many meds.
My testosterone levels were significantly below normal (which was a surprise since I am a very hairy man). The pathology lab knew what meds I was on (Lamictal + Xanax), nevertheless they suspected a problem in my pituitary gland and have suggested further tests.
Has anyone else got/had low testosterone? What was the cause and what was done about it?
Thanks.Thrud
Posted by Hawkeye on February 20, 2002, at 11:37:41
In reply to low testosterone?, posted by Thrud on February 18, 2002, at 23:34:43
Last summer there was a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (accesible through Medscape-www.medscape.com) showing that SSRIs cause a major drop in testosterone production. Serzone is the worst in this respect. The authors of the study speculated that this was an additional factor in loss of libido and other sexual problems in persons taking ADs. Neither Lamictal nor Xanax were included in the study, but it would not be surprising if one of these drugs were the cause of your current situation.
In any event, don't worry about your MRI. The chances are very much greater that the meds are your problem rather than that you have a pituitary tumor or other abnormality.
Your current hormonal imbalnce can easily be offset by using supplementary testosterone injections, Androderm patches, or the new Androgel.
> I was tested for various hormones to see if there was a reason why I get sexual dysfunction from so many meds.
>
> My testosterone levels were significantly below normal (which was a surprise since I am a very hairy man). The pathology lab knew what meds I was on (Lamictal + Xanax), nevertheless they suspected a problem in my pituitary gland and have suggested further tests.
>
> Has anyone else got/had low testosterone? What was the cause and what was done about it?
> Thanks.
>
> Thrud
Posted by OldSchool on February 20, 2002, at 18:19:02
In reply to low testosterone?, posted by Thrud on February 18, 2002, at 23:34:43
Just for trivia, you should know that testosterone is being used to augment antidepressants in treatment resistant depression in men. There was one clinical trial I knew of up at New York State psychiatric Institute, I believe that is part of Columbia University that had a testosterone augmentation trial for depression in men.
Posted by Hawkeye on February 21, 2002, at 0:49:27
In reply to low testosterone?, posted by Thrud on February 18, 2002, at 23:34:43
Here's a link to the Testosterone/SSRI Study:
Posted by Thrud on February 26, 2002, at 3:29:17
In reply to low testosterone?, posted by Thrud on February 18, 2002, at 23:34:43
Hi.
Thanks very much for the info. Hawkeye: the link to the study was very interesting. Maybe the relevant experts don't know all the meds that reduce testosterone and by how much.
I was also low in some hormone called "LH" which is somehow associated with testosterone. When it comes to hormones, I know next to nothing. Maybe it was this result which prompted their talk about pituitary stuff? Maybe meds affect this hormone (and others) too?
Any more info is mucho appreciated.
Thrud
Posted by Hawkeye on February 26, 2002, at 19:43:32
In reply to Re: low testosterone?, Hawkeye, Oldschool, posted by Thrud on February 26, 2002, at 3:29:17
Hi.
Leutinizing hormone (LH) is secreted by the pituitary gland and is the testosterone master-hormone, it gives the signal for testosterone to be produced.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.