Started having some bad anxiety and depression issues last year. Have been on Sertraline HCL 50 mg, along with Melatonin, and Xanax 0.25mg ( as needed) – which is almost everyday. Are these medications going to interfere with my test levels? I’m currently 26 yr old, started hcg monotherapy 2000iu weekly with Arimidex 2x weekly. Any inputs are greatly appreciated.
Sertraline is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), it works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain or by increasing the effect of serotonin in the brain… I can’t remember. Anyhow sexual dysfunction is a fairly common side effect reported from SSRI’S, however if you legitimately require SSRI’s, which it seems like you do (considering you also have a script for Xanax) it is a small price to pay for stable moods and less crippling depression/ social anxiety. Whether SSRI’s affect testosterone levels, there isn’t much evidence to support they do however I believe in a few decades from now data will come up linking these drugs to widespread hypogonadism.
Xanax, and other benzodiazapines can wreck havok on your testosterone levels, however given that you are on HCG monotherapy, the testosterone produced in your body will be from an exogenous LH mimick. Medications that will suppress gonadotropins and can cause secondary hypogonadism like Xanax can’t affect exogenous gonadotropins introduced into the body therefore it shouldn’t affect your test levels. That being said, I’m not so sure 2000iu of HCG is a safe amount to take and I personally really dislike arimidex (shudders), when your testosterone is increased your E2 will increase with it, it is a natural way of your body keeping homeostasis, I’d only turn to AI’s if you have a trashed liver, are obese/overweight or can feel/see gyno developing (although for gyno you could just use a serm).
Xanax is likely already messing with your testosterone levels, benzodiazepines create problems with the HPTA and cause low testosterone. A lot of men are scripted medication for anxiety and depression when the cause is low hormones, throwing drugs at the problem only makes the situation worse on a hormonal level.
Sure it might help with anxiety for awhile until it stops working and you are force to go through a nightmarish withdraw. Benzodiazepines hammered my testosterone production to the point of me needing TRT, withdrawing of these type of medications can be a nightmare.
I had taken Klonopin for 30 years and the withdraw was a 10 months long nightmare. It’s what permanently damaged my testosterone production.
Xanax will Raise your SHBG, and defeat the entire purpose of using TRT.
I admittedly have to use benzos on some occasions, but I avoid it as much as possible.
I try to use it once every 2 months at the most. When I do, I feel like GARBAGE for a few days after. Mindset is not the same.