Low libido due to coeliac?

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

Hi everyone, 

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease two months ago and have been gluten free since then. Still lots to get my head around but a priority for me is understanding whether or not this could be the cause of my sex drive falling off a cliff over the last couple of years. I have zero interest in sex and this is causing real difficulties in my relationship.

Does anyone have experience of a low sex drive that improved after going gluten free? If so, how long did this take?

If there is a link, does anyone know the cause (hormones, nutritional deficiency, body 'under attack'/needing to heal so sex not a priority??) ?

For context: I'm a 32f and my blood tests came back as not showing any major malnourishment. Coeliac confirmed via gastroscopy (so some intestinal damage that needs to heal). I haven't had much of the 'classic' gut-related symptoms. I'm tired, sad, and lacking in libido - all of which could potentially be related or not... 

Any advice/tales of experience greatly appreciated. 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum! Others here have had similar experiences, and nutritional deficiencies are very common in people with celiac disease, so you may want to take a good multi-vitamin & mineral supplement, perhaps something like One A Day, but be sure it is a brand that is gluten-free.

The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.

 

 

 

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

17 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Welcome to the forum! Others here have had similar experiences, and nutritional deficiencies are very common in people with celiac disease, so you may want to take a good multi-vitamin & mineral supplement, perhaps something like One A Day, but be sure it is a brand that is gluten-free.

The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.

 

 

 

Thank you 

[Wheatwacked]

 "Having adequate iodine levels could make all the difference when it comes to getting in the mood. This is because iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones, and iodine deficiency is a leading cause of low thyroid hormone levels, which often lead to problems such as low energy and low libido."   Seaweed: Your Sex Life Saviour

I recently started taking Strong Iodine. 10 drops equals 500 mcg; right in the middle of the safe range..  Muscle tone in my gut is improving and healing has accelerated.  Hair growing again.

A caveat:  Dermititis Herpetiformis can be excacerbated by Iodine or NSAIDs.

Low iodine is a leading cause of hypothyroidism.

In  the US, intake of iodine is half of what it was in 1970 and cancer doubled..  Prescriptions of levothyroxine doubled in the same period.  Until 1970 bakeries used iodine as a dough conditioner.  The average slice of bread had 100 mcg Iodine.  In 1948 the Wolff-Chaikoff Effect was discovered where rats were treated with iodine and they had a decline in thyroid.  Except for nuclear medicine use Iodine was banished.  What they did not mention was that the rat's thyroid activitity returned to normal in 48 hours.  This was the early age of atomic energy and it was found shortly before that iodine prevents radiation poisoning.  Governments started stockpiling Potassium Iodide tablets. The Wolff-Chaikoff Effect.  Normally it take many expericments repeating the same results to ban a medicine (look up the history of Thalidimine) but it only took one to banish iodine. The dose used for the experiment was the human equivalent of 50 milligrams. If I didn't lose the decimal place that is 3000 times the safe upper limit for humans. The RDA for iodine in the US is 150 micrograms with safe upper limit at 1000micrograms.  In Japan the safe upper limit is set at 3000 micrograms.  Japanese on traditional diet have half as much breast cance, younger skin, nicer hair, their children are smarter.

• Nearly 5% of Americans over the age of 12 have hypothyroidism. 
• The prevalence of hypothyroidism is 0.7–2.1% in Japan 
• Subclinical hypothyroidism is found in 8–10% of the population of UK

Edited December 6, 2023 by Wheatwacked

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

11 hours ago, Wheatwacked said:

 "Having adequate iodine levels could make all the difference when it comes to getting in the mood. This is because iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones, and iodine deficiency is a leading cause of low thyroid hormone levels, which often lead to problems such as low energy and low libido."   Seaweed: Your Sex Life Saviour

I recently started taking Strong Iodine. 10 drops equals 500 mcg; right in the middle of the safe range..  Muscle tone in my gut is improving and healing has accelerated.  Hair growing again.

A caveat:  Dermititis Herpetiformis can be excacerbated by Iodine or NSAIDs.

Low iodine is a leading cause of hypothyroidism.

In  the US, intake of iodine is half of what it was in 1970 and cancer doubled..  Prescriptions of levothyroxine doubled in the same period.  Until 1970 bakeries used iodine as a dough conditioner.  The average slice of bread had 100 mcg Iodine.  In 1948 the Wolff-Chaikoff Effect was discovered where rats were treated with iodine and they had a decline in thyroid.  Except for nuclear medicine use Iodine was banished.  What they did not mention was that the rat's thyroid activitity returned to normal in 48 hours.  This was the early age of atomic energy and it was found shortly before that iodine prevents radiation poisoning.  Governments started stockpiling Potassium Iodide tablets. The Wolff-Chaikoff Effect.  Normally it take many expericments repeating the same results to ban a medicine (look up the history of Thalidimine) but it only took one to banish iodine. The dose used for the experiment was the human equivalent of 50 milligrams. If I didn't lose the decimal place that is 3000 times the safe upper limit for humans. The RDA for iodine in the US is 150 micrograms with safe upper limit at 1000micrograms.  In Japan the safe upper limit is set at 3000 micrograms.  Japanese on traditional diet have half as much breast cance, younger skin, nicer hair, their children are smarter.

• Nearly 5% of Americans over the age of 12 have hypothyroidism. 
• The prevalence of hypothyroidism is 0.7–2.1% in Japan 
• Subclinical hypothyroidism is found in 8–10% of the population of UK

Thank you

[Guest]

 

On 12/4/2023 at 3:04 PM, ReluctantlyGlutenFree said:

Hi everyone, 

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease two months ago and have been gluten free since then. Still lots to get my head around but a priority for me is understanding whether or not this could be the cause of my sex drive falling off a cliff over the last couple of years. I have zero interest in sex and this is causing real difficulties in my relationship.

Does anyone have experience of a low sex drive that improved after going gluten free? If so, how long did this take?

If there is a link, does anyone know the cause (hormones, nutritional deficiency, body 'under attack'/needing to heal so sex not a priority??) ?

For context: I'm a 32f and my blood tests came back as not showing any major malnourishment. Coeliac confirmed via gastroscopy (so some intestinal damage that needs to heal). I haven't had much of the 'classic' gut-related symptoms. I'm tired, sad, and lacking in libido - all of which could potentially be related or not... 

Any advice/tales of experience greatly appreciated. 

Hi, celiac messed up my hormones, and sometimes it can also cause depression which can lead to a lower sex drive. Hope this helps.

[Scott Adams]

On the topic of hormones, it might make sense for you to get your levels checked. This article is interesting because low estrogen could happen in those who are not going through menopause, so it's important to get your levels checked. Should they be lower than normal there are some simple solutions:

https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/996098 

[knitty kitty]

But, @Scott Adams, she's way too young (32) for menopause!  

Vitamin D deficiency can cause low libido.  Vitamin D acts like a hormone when levels are above 80 nmol/L.  Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system, reducing inflammation, and also contributes to making estrogen, and testosterone (yes, women need testosterone, too).  Zinc also helps with that, as well as Thiamine.  

Adding a B Complex, additional Thiamine (Benfotiamine or Allithiamine), and zinc will help.  

Edited December 6, 2023 by knitty kitty
Typo correction

[Scott Adams]

I agree--the article I shared deals with menopause but the reason I shared it was its approach to a low estrogen problem, which would be similar no matter the cause of the low estrogen. Getting estrogen levels checked would likely be a good starting point. Early menopause only happens to around 1% of women in their early 30's, so this is not likely.

PS - My original comment said: "This article is interesting because low estrogen could happen in those who are not going through menopause..."

[knitty kitty]

Oh, @Scott Adams, I apologize.  I had a bit of a visceral reaction due to my own icky experience.  

It's so much easier to correct a Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency and look for resolution of symptoms before undergoing HRT.  

Many doctors, including gynecologists, are clueless about Vitamin D and how nutritional deficiencies can wreak havoc on the body.  

 

"Approximately 20 million women worldwide use HRT, and while its beneficial effects for osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms are known, the well-documented higher risk of breast tumors in these subjects cannot justify its long-term use. Besides, several recent trials have indicated that HRT carries a higher risk of cardiac and cerebral events, contradicting its protective effects on the cardio-and cerebrovascular systems."

Osteoporosis in celiac disease and in endocrine and reproductive disorders

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681138/

And...

Menopause: What are the benefits and risks of long-term hormone therapy?

"Hormone therapy can help ease symptoms of menopause. But it is associated with a lot of serious risks if used over the long term. Although the treatment lowers the risk of bone fractures, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) and breast cancer."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564986/

 

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

Hi @knitty kittyand @Scott Adams Thank you both for your thoughtful responses. I haven't had my hormones checked so that is certainly a good place to start. Similarly, though I have had my vit D checked recently and it was within the reference range, it was very much on the lower end of that range so there is no harm in taking supplements to try to get that number up. 

I know libido may seem quite trivial in the grand scheme of things, but it is putting a strain on my relationship and is also just a bit miserable in general really so I do greatly appreciate the advice. 

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

On 12/6/2023 at 4:31 PM, jbrguy said:

 

Hi, celiac messed up my hormones, and sometimes it can also cause depression which can lead to a lower sex drive. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry to hear you experienced these difficulties. I will get my hormones checked. I've been feeling low as well so I don't know if that's coeliac related or not - hard to tell with more 'indirect' symptoms. 

[knitty kitty]

@ReluctantlyGlutenFree,

I used high doses to correct my Vitamin D deficiency.  I felt much better quickly.  Vitamin D deficiency does affect your mood.  I was struggling with depression, menstrual problems, and feeling off, but those resolved after getting and keeping my Vitamin D level above 80 nmol/L.  

Vitamin D is a fat based vitamin.  Celiac people have difficulty  digesting and absorbing fats.  Including fatty fish like salmon and tuna can increase Vitamin D level.  Dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D, if you can do dairy.  Some Celiacs react to dairy the same as gluten.  Liver is also a great source of Vitamin D.  Liver is my choice since I react to dairy and fish.  

I take Oil of Evening Primrose which mimics estrogen.  

Hope this helps!

References:

An open-label, randomized, 10 weeks prospective study on the efficacy of vitamin D (daily low dose and weekly high dose) in vitamin D deficient patients

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6618212/

And...

Comparison of the Effect of Fennel and Evening Primrose Oil on Menopausal Problems and Hormonal Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10484391/

[Wheatwacked]

      I started at 1,000 IU a day and increased it every few days. I was taking those dire warnings of terrible things happening seriously.  It wasn't until the third day at 10,000 IU a day that the effects kicked in, An eye opening morning.  Long term depression - ended.  Joi de vivre - back, virtually overnight.  Even at 10,000 IU a day it took from 2015until 2020 for me to reach the homeostasis normal level of 80 ng/ml. (200 nmol/L).  Still taking 10,000 a day and blood level is steady around 80 ng/ml.  I got 2 hours a week of full sun mowing the lawn over the summer, no shirt, no sunblock and it did go up to 93. Safe range is 30ng/ml to 150 ng/ml.

In fact hypervitaminosis of vitamin D is quite rare.  

Quote

"On further questioning his daughter reported he had been taking 60,000 IU vitamin D capsules per day for the last 2 years " Risks of the ‘Sunshine pill’ – a case of hypervitaminosis D]

 Vitamin D Is Not as Toxic as Was Once Thought

When looking at plasma levels there are two formats depending on the lab.  nmol/L and ng/ml.  200 nmol/L is the same as 80 ng/ml.  Multiply by 2.5 to convert (80 x 2.5 = 200)

      The effect of vitamin D supplementation on sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in young women with low vitamin D status "However, the most important finding of our study was that vitamin D supplementation improved sexual dysfunction, which was accompanied by an improvement in mood."

Bolus doses of up to 500,000 IU have been used with no ill effects, other than feeling so good some people overexert themselves.

"Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia, assessed whether a single, annual dose of 500,000 IU cholecalciferol administered orally to women aged 70 years and older would improve adherence and reduce the risk for falls and fracture over 3 to 5 years... Women in the vitamin D group had 171 fractures compared with 135 in the placebo group... “It is also possible that the large dose of vitamin D improved physical performance resulting in more active patients with a greater chance to fall. Another theory is that the high-dose vitamin D may have decreased the rate of wintertime infections, resulting in more active patients during the winter with increased opportunity for falls and fractures,” he said."

[samuelz]

On 12/4/2023 at 3:04 PM, ReluctantlyGlutenFree said:

Hi everyone, 

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease two months ago and have been gluten free since then. Still lots to get my head around but a priority for me is understanding whether or not this could be the cause of my sex drive falling off a cliff over the last couple of years. I have zero interest in sex and this is causing real difficulties in my relationship.

Does anyone have experience of a low sex drive that improved after going gluten free? If so, how long did this take?

If there is a link, does anyone know the cause (hormones, nutritional deficiency, body 'under attack'/needing to heal so sex not a priority??) ?

For context: I'm a 32f and my blood tests came back as not showing any major malnourishment. Coeliac confirmed via gastroscopy (so some intestinal damage that needs to heal). I haven't had much of the 'classic' gut-related symptoms. I'm tired, sad, and lacking in libido - all of which could potentially be related or not... 

Any advice/tales of experience greatly appreciated. 

is it possible that you simply don't have the same urge because your mate lost the magic touch? have the same issues, but am eager to please partner and self. please don't say it's a guy thing. GL

[samuelz]

😁 ok

[ReluctantlyGlutenFree]

51 minutes ago, samuelz said:

is it possible that you simply don't have the same urge because your mate lost the magic touch? have the same issues, but am eager to please partner and self. please don't say it's a guy thing. GL

Low sex drive has numerous potential causes, one of which can be relationship issues, sure. I'm not interested in anything sexual currently, with or without my partner, which makes me think it isn't tied to our relationship/him specifically. I would like to rule out or resolve any coeliac-related causes before assuming my relationship is dead in the water. 

[Wheatwacked]

You can get 10,000 IU for $12 for 250 caps.  Liquid Iodine $7 for 2 ounces. 10 drops equals 500 mcg. In anything. Flavorless, colorless.  A slice of bread in 1975 had 100 mcg. A glass of milk, 100 mcg. So a sandwich and glass of milk was 300 mcg.  Today, iodine is not used in bread in the US since the 70's and no one drinks milk anymore. Net iodine loss 300 mcg a day.  Avoiding eggs and seafood another source lost. Net loss since 1970 is the US population intakes half as much today.  We need iodine for thyroid, testosterone and estrogen.  For $20 you'll know in less than a week.  Or hundreds of dollars and months of testing to be put on an expensive medication.  Men get viagra and I think there is one for women now.

[Raquel2021]

On 12/12/2023 at 6:03 PM, Wheatwacked said:

You can get 10,000 IU for $12 for 250 caps.  Liquid Iodine $7 for 2 ounces. 10 drops equals 500 mcg. In anything. Flavorless, colorless.  A slice of bread in 1975 had 100 mcg. A glass of milk, 100 mcg. So a sandwich and glass of milk was 300 mcg.  Today, iodine is not used in bread in the US since the 70's and no one drinks milk anymore. Net iodine loss 300 mcg a day.  Avoiding eggs and seafood another source lost. Net loss since 1970 is the US population intakes half as much today.  We need iodine for thyroid, testosterone and estrogen.  For $20 you'll know in less than a week.  Or hundreds of dollars and months of testing to be put on an expensive medication.  Men get viagra and I think there is one for women now.

Hi Wheatwacked 

I tried taking only 1000 IU (drops) and it made feel great but then I could not sleep at night. It also caused me some numbness and tingling on my face. I  have a lot of issues with taking vitamins. I can only tolerate iron and B12 without losing sleep. So weird