Can low female libido be caused by low testosterone?

[usuallyconfused]

My wife (37) has just taken a testosterone test. The results came back as 0.4 nmol/L.

The lab gives a normal range starting at zero, but our understanding is that low levels of testosterone in women can lead to a low libido.

My wife has also had some difficulties with weight gain (and difficulties losing the gained weight), and tiredness, which I understand can also be linked to low testosterone levels.

Has anyone on here had any experience of low testosterone levels in a female causing low or zero libido? Is 0.4 a low enough figure to cause this? If so, was testosterone treatment successful in reviving libido?

Thanks!

Yep - especially after removal of ovaries, or if taking oral oestrogen (SHBG)

In this case it would be a naturally occurring low level of testosterone, rather than a low level caused by e.g. hysterectomy or the taking of other hormones, or due to the onset of menopause.

Weight gain, difficulties losing it, no/low libido, constantly exhausted.. All the hallmarks of Underactive thyroid to me. Do some research online about normal thyroid levels..- what is regarded as 'normal' by NHS is often way beyond 'normal' to any other health provider. This is because a diagnosis requires lifelong replacement thyroxine and free prescriptions. Mine was so far out of whack it wasn't an issue but have it checked out.

Try to get your hands on a copy of Thyroid Power by Richard Shames, and complete the questionnaire.

Then look at the about.com site relating to thyroid problems, and anything Mary Shomon has published.

In this case, amazon may be your friend.

I can remember going to a referral at a university teaching hospital, and beginning most of my sentences with "The research in the US shows....." and "In the US, the standard dose is 1 microgramme of thryoxine for every pound of body weight" etc, etc

In the US, it is standard practice to perform a full thyroid panel of blood tests (there are 5 thyroid hormones) after a whiplash injury. My first neck injury caused enough damage to break the dorsal spines on the vertebrae. It took me 12 years, and a weight gain of 10 stone to get a diagnosis.

Then when I got a diagnosis - after having all the symptoms, and a 3 month wait for another blood test to confirm it "just in case", my then GP told me that "you may be entitled to free prescriptions", you'll need to ask at reception.......

....so I had to pay for my prescriptions....I asked for a form and got a medical exemption certificate.

The practice was fund-holding at the time and had a local reputation for with-holding treatment. The principal refused dd a referral to physio when the hospital didn't spot a broken ankle and didn't show her how to use her crutches. I was told if I could get her to a community hospital I didn't need a physio referral.

Less than 2 years after that, he pissed off in his personal plated 5-series BMW on early retirement, and never thanked me for my contribution.