Synthroid - loss of libido

[mphil2]

Hi, i'm a very healthy 19 year old women and ive been experiencing very low libido, or actually, no libido at all and i'm not sure what could be the cause especially since i am so young.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 6 years ago and immediately started 100 mg of Synthroid, and before i was on the medication i had a sex drive. I'm not sure what is going on, if synthroid could be the cause ( even tho my TSH levels are normal) OR the fact that i am really low on iron? other than that i am a very happy human being ( no stress/anxiety) and i truly wanna find a cure to this, any suggestions???

[mphil2]

oh yes i remember i got tested for those a while back and my tests were normal but doing it again won't hurt

[gimel]

I meant to mention that while you are at the doctors for tests, it would be a good idea to discuss with the doctor getting tested for the usual hormones, like progesterone, estrogen, and free testosterone.  

[mphil2]

alright i will do all of these tests and let you know my results! thank you so much for everything!

[gimel]

Doubtful that it could be only due to low iron, although the form of iron called ferritin is very important to the metabolism of thyroid hormone.  These are reported to be symptoms of low ferritin.

    Minor aches
    Fatigue
    Weakness
    Heart palpitations
    Increased pulse
    Loss of energy
    Loss of libido
    Confusion
    Irritability
    Shortness of breath


It is also likely you are still hypothyroid due to inadequate levels of Free 4 and Free T3.  Also, Vitamin D is important for good thyroid hormone metabolism.  So, at first opportunity I suggest that you request to be tested for Free T4 and Free T3, and then make sure those are done every time you are tested.  Along with that it might be a good idea to test for Reverse T3 at least once.  Also  Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin tests.  D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.

Hypo patients that have more success with Armour Thyroid than T4 are those whose bodies did not adequately convert the T4 med to T3.  So switching to a combo T4/T3 med like Armour will raise the Free T3 level.  That is important because Free T3 has been shown  to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH do not correlate.  I would not recommend switching until you are tested for Free T4 and Free  T3 to see what your current levels are.  

[mphil2]

I don't have them with me at the moment, and i won't be able to get them for at least a couple of weeks. i've heard of many people switching from synthroid to a natural thyroid treatment such as Armour thyroid and feeling much better, i'm thinking of trying that myself? what are your thoughts? could it just be the iron deficiency?

[gimel]

If you have them please post your thyroid related tests from the time you were diagnosed as hypo.  Also please post any other thyroid tests from after starting on the 100 mcg of Synthroid, especially current results and Free T4 and Free T3.  Also include reference ranges shown on the lab report.   What was the iron test result?

[mphil2]

that's basically it

[mphil2]

i have no other symptoms. Yes ive been tested for both, Free T4 and Free T3 except not for the thyroid antibodies. My neck looked particularly large and i got it checked, and they told me i was hypo. I'm not quite sure which Iron test was done, but my results we borderline low as in almost anemic. I started taking iron supplements about 3 days ago.

[gimel]

Do you have any symptoms besides the low libido?  Have you been tested for Free T4 and Free T3, the biologically active thyroid hormones?  What was the diagnosed cause for your hypothyroidism?  What iron test was done and what was the result?