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What Causes Persistent Weakness And Loss Of Libido Post Recovery From Typhoid?
Question: Weakness...right back from typhoid for almost 1.5 yrs after it..not coming out of it. Keeping persistently low in libido. Have had becosules and other multivitamins...not much effect. What to do? Have been on lithium + antideps for over 5 yrs. I hv been taking them even before and during my typhoid treatment. So, they cant hv made some possible effect. Even my psychiatrist hasnt made some clean statements on it. One thing to mention when I was inflicted with typhoid I had my hepatitis B vaccine injected before diagnosis. + I coupled lithium with ibuprofen which has some contraindications as per my study. Kindly clarify and suggest something for persistently low libido...Its quite problematic.
Brief Answer:
Loss of libido
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Typhoid fever treated promptly with antibiotic is unlikely to cause persistent asthenia or weakness for 1-1/2 years. Loss of libido is also not a sequel of typhoid fever.
Hepatitis B vaccine should be delayed in case of any active infection. However inadvertent use of Hepatitis B vaccine during the course of typhoid fever will not affect the clinical course of typhoid or produce any sequel like persistent weakness or loss of libido.
Hypoactive sexual desire or loss of libido may result from endocrine failure or may be associated with psychological or emotional disorders.
Lithium itself can cause or contribute to sexual dysfunction including loss of libido.
Medication switching like antidepressants with less impact on sexual function can be tried.
Alternatively dose reduction of lithium or drug holidays are other option.
Endocrine work-up like thyroid function test (Free T3, Free T4 & TSH), FSH, LH, serum testosterone, serum prolactin level, morning plasma cortisol levels can be done to exclude endocrine cause of loss of libido.
Please let me know if you have already undergone some of these tests,to exclude organic cause.
Stop smoking, or taking any alcoholic drink (in case you are smoker or have drinking habit).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Loss of libido
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Typhoid fever treated promptly with antibiotic is unlikely to cause persistent asthenia or weakness for 1-1/2 years. Loss of libido is also not a sequel of typhoid fever.
Hepatitis B vaccine should be delayed in case of any active infection. However inadvertent use of Hepatitis B vaccine during the course of typhoid fever will not affect the clinical course of typhoid or produce any sequel like persistent weakness or loss of libido.
Hypoactive sexual desire or loss of libido may result from endocrine failure or may be associated with psychological or emotional disorders.
Lithium itself can cause or contribute to sexual dysfunction including loss of libido.
Medication switching like antidepressants with less impact on sexual function can be tried.
Alternatively dose reduction of lithium or drug holidays are other option.
Endocrine work-up like thyroid function test (Free T3, Free T4 & TSH), FSH, LH, serum testosterone, serum prolactin level, morning plasma cortisol levels can be done to exclude endocrine cause of loss of libido.
Please let me know if you have already undergone some of these tests,to exclude organic cause.
Stop smoking, or taking any alcoholic drink (in case you are smoker or have drinking habit).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I have undergone T3 T4 TSH levels test and they hit the normal ratio. But the other tests that you mentioned I was unaware of them. If you strongly suggest I can have them checked too. Can I refer to you after I have the reports? Could you suggest accordingly, I mean on the basis of reports? And no, I dont drink or smoke dr.
Brief Answer:
Loss of libido-investigations
Detailed Answer:
You need to undergo other endocrine tests to exclude hypogonadism, hyperprolactinaemia and adrenocortical insufficiency. Either of these can cause loss of libido.These tests will give some clue about treatable causes.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumb
Loss of libido-investigations
Detailed Answer:
You need to undergo other endocrine tests to exclude hypogonadism, hyperprolactinaemia and adrenocortical insufficiency. Either of these can cause loss of libido.These tests will give some clue about treatable causes.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumb
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Dr. I got my two of the tests done...details follow:
1. Serum cortisol: 22.61 ug/dl
Test done at 8:00 a.m.
Normal range: 6.2-19.4 ug/dl (7:00 - 10.00 am)
2. Testosterone: 383.42 ng/dl
Normal range: 241- 827
1. Serum cortisol: 22.61 ug/dl
Test done at 8:00 a.m.
Normal range: 6.2-19.4 ug/dl (7:00 - 10.00 am)
2. Testosterone: 383.42 ng/dl
Normal range: 241- 827
Brief Answer:
Loss of libido-investigations
Detailed Answer:
Your serum cortisol in the morning is normal as per other laboratory upper normal range is 25 ug/dl (Fasting, 8 a.m.–12 noon normal range 5–25 μg/dL) and essentially excludes adrenal insufficiency as cause of loss of libido.
Your testosterone level is also normal and hence abnormal adrenal androgen secretion is excluded as any contributory cause.
Rest of hormonal profiles ,if done later, can be intimated accordingly.So far no organic cause has been established.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Loss of libido-investigations
Detailed Answer:
Your serum cortisol in the morning is normal as per other laboratory upper normal range is 25 ug/dl (Fasting, 8 a.m.–12 noon normal range 5–25 μg/dL) and essentially excludes adrenal insufficiency as cause of loss of libido.
Your testosterone level is also normal and hence abnormal adrenal androgen secretion is excluded as any contributory cause.
Rest of hormonal profiles ,if done later, can be intimated accordingly.So far no organic cause has been established.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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