Testosterone for Hashimoto’s: Why You Need To Test Your Levels

Testosterone: My Secret Remedy for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

A Secret Therapy that you can use to treat Hashimoto’s Naturally

As someone with Hashimoto’s, I probably don’t need to tell you that there aren’t many official medications or therapies available to treat your condition. 

That’s why this topic is so exciting. 

Testosterone is a sort of secret therapy that can be used to treat and manage Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and I’ve been using it for years and years. 

Testosterone is a hormone that both men and women produce and it plays an important role in regulating MANY different aspects of your health. 

One of the most important aspects that it regulates, or at least plays a role in regulating, is your immune system (1). 

And your immune system is one of the main drivers of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis because it is an autoimmune disease!

This means that using testosterone, in the right way, can help improve immune function and may even be able to help treat Hashimoto’s naturally. 

In this article, you will learn…

  • The link between Hashimoto’s and low testosterone.
  • Why women tend to have more problems with autoimmune diseases compared to men.
  • How testosterone can help your thyroid and your body.
  • Additional benefits of using testosterone (including weight loss).
  • And how to get testosterone.

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The link between low testosterone and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

When most people think of testosterone they think of men who use testosterone for bodybuilding. 

And while testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in men, women still HAVE and NEED testosterone just as much as men do

I would argue that testosterone plays at LEAST as important of a role in regulating your mood and overall health as estrogen and progesterone. 

I’m not as concerned about testosterone levels in men, but they do provide us with some interesting information that is valuable for women with Hashimoto’s. 

You see, men tend to have a much higher level of testosterone compared to women. 

Men also tend to have a much LOWER incidence of autoimmune disease (2) compared to women. 

The rate at which men experience autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is about one-tenth to one-sixth (depending on which study you look at) of the rate that women experience these conditions. 

And one explanation for this difference is that men tend to have much higher levels of testosterone compared to women. 

Testosterone is said to act as a “protective” mechanism against autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s. 

Wouldn’t it be nice, then, if we could give this protective mechanism to women by using testosterone as a THERAPY?

It turns out that we can!

Testosterone can be used as a prescription medication and, if used correctly, can have a positive impact on managing Hashimoto’s. 

I’m not talking about using testosterone in women who have NORMAL testosterone levels, we wouldn’t want to do this. 

Instead, I’m talking about using testosterone in women with LOW testosterone levels who ALSO have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

My experience suggests that most women who have hormone problems have an issue with testosterone levels. 

They either have HIGH testosterone and tend to fall on the PCOS spectrum or they have LOW testosterone and they tend to fall on the thyroid/Hashimoto’s spectrum. 

In both conditions, testosterone plays a major role in either causing the conditions or adding fuel to the flame to enable it to continue. 

I’ve found that there is very little crossover between women and testosterone problems. 

For instance, it’s unlikely for you to have PCOS and Hashimoto’s (though it can happen). 

And this is most likely because of the impact that different levels of testosterone have on your immune system and other hormone systems. 

Testosterone is NOT harmful if used correctly and safely

Bioidentical testosterone can be used in women with Hashimoto’s to help TREAT Hashimoto’s in a more natural way. 

When I talk about using testosterone I am merely talking about replacing the low levels in your body with a more natural and healthy level. 

And you can do this by taking bioidentical testosterone cream

This cream contains the exact same hormone that your own body would be producing naturally but is not able to right now for a variety of reasons. 

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By replacing this lost level you are using testosterone in a SAFE and EFFECTIVE way. 

The wrong way to use testosterone would be to use testosterone in doses designed for men and/or use testosterone that is not bioidentical. 

This is where doctors and patients get confused. 

Both men and women can use testosterone, but the testosterone dose that women need is usually about one-tenth as much as what men need.

How to Easily Test your Testosterone Levels

Before you run out and try to get testosterone, you need to make sure that you test to see if you actually need it. 

I stated previously that MOST women with Hashimoto’s have low testosterone. 

If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and you are reading this, then there is a very high probability that your testosterone level is low. 

But, it’s always good to check. 

How do you do this?

It’s actually VERY easy to check your testosterone level (much easier than your thyroid). 

All you need are two blood tests:

  • Free Testosterone
  • And Total Testosterone

As a woman with Hashimoto’s, you want your testosterone level to be in the top 50% of the reference range. 

I tend to try and push those testosterone levels up into the top 25% of the reference range as I feel that’s even better. 

But if you aren’t able to get up there, for whatever reason, you can still get results as long as you are in the top half. 

I find that most women with Hashimoto’s have a testosterone level that is in the bottom 25% of the reference range with some women having levels that fall BELOW the standard range. 

It’s safe to use testosterone if your levels are “normal” but “low normal” and fall within that 25% range. 

If your levels are higher than that then you wouldn’t want to use testosterone levels unless you want some of the additional benefits that testosterone provides which is what we are going to talk about next. 

Additional Benefits of using Testosterone:

Women with Hashimoto’s tend to have more symptoms than just those associated with their thyroid. 

Symptoms like decreased sex drive, the inability to lose weight, and the inability to build muscle mass are real problems that you may be facing as you read this. 

And, let me be the first to tell you that these symptoms are probably NOT caused by your thyroid but instead caused by your TESTOSTERONE level. 

Treating your thyroid may help improve them slightly but they probably won’t resolve completely until you treat the main issue (which is the low testosterone). 

Here are 4 main additional benefits you may get while using testosterone: 

#1. Testosterone helps your body build lean muscle mass. 

Testosterone is one of the main hormones in your body which directly has an impact on your ability to build muscle mass. 

Women with low testosterone often find that they have a VERY hard time building muscle mass even when going to the gym and lifting weights. 

This is a problem because if you can’t build muscle mass then your metabolism will always be lower than what it could be and this means it will be harder to lose weight. 

#2. Testosterone can help you lose extra weight. 

Testosterone is also a somewhat powerful weight loss therapy. 

It can help you lose weight by improving your metabolism through muscle mass but it also has an impact on your energy levels. 

The more energy you have the more active you will be, and the more lean muscle mass that you have on your body, the higher your metabolism will be.

Low testosterone is definitely a contributor to weight loss resistance in women with Hashimoto’s. 

Don’t expect weight loss miracles when using testosterone but it’s not uncommon to find that your weight comes off a lot easier when using it (3). 

#3. Testosterone can help improve your sex drive. 

Do you feel that your sex drive is either non-existent or much lower than it used to be?

Low testosterone may be to blame!

Low sex drive doesn’t seem to concern some women but it has a huge impact on your quality of life, your relationships, and your mood. 

A normal sex drive is also an indication that your sex hormones, including testosterone estrogen, and progesterone, are where they should be. 

Testosterone can help bring that urge and even improve pleasure during intercourse. 

Of course, low thyroid also plays a role but I find that testosterone tends to be a bigger culprit when low sex drive is a symptom. 

#4. Using Testosterone can improve your mood and reduce depression and irritability

Last, but not least, testosterone therapy has a very positive impact on mood. 

Using testosterone can reduce irritability levels and even treat depression. 

Do you feel like you are more irritable than you have been in the past?

This is a symptom and something that shouldn’t be ignored. 

It’s often one of the first signs of low testosterone. 

Depressive symptoms can be caused by your thyroid and/or testosterone levels but I find that women who use testosterone have a much “lighter” or “happier” mood. 

How do you get Testosterone?

Testosterone is a prescription medication which means that you will need to get it from your current doctor. 

As you probably already know, endocrinologists tend to be difficult to work with and are probably NOT your best bet if you are trying to get testosterone therapy. 

Instead, you will probably find better luck in going to a doctor who specialized in bioidentical hormones. 

These doctors are much more knowledgeable about therapies, such as testosterone therapy in women. 

In addition, you may also find help from these types of doctors:

Doctors that are NOT likely to help you include:

  • Conventional family practice doctors or primary care physicians
  • Endocrinologists
  • Pretty much any standard doctor unless they specifically state that they specialize in the areas listed above

Why is it so hard to get doctors to treat and manage your hormones?

The short answer is that they don’t learn it in medical school or residency which means it’s up to them to learn it on their own. 

And many doctors don’t understand their value or benefit so they don’t take the time. 

Final Thoughts

Testosterone is an amazing and effective therapy that can be used to naturally treat and manage Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Not only is it safe and effective, but it also has many additional benefits that may be able to solve some persistent symptoms that you are experiencing that may not go away with other thyroid treatments. 

I’ve personally used testosterone on many women with Hashimoto’s with GREAT success. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you used testosterone to treat Hashimoto’s? 

Are you currently using it now?

Are you planning on asking your doctor for it?

Do you know if your testosterone levels are low?

Leave your questions or comments below to keep the conversation going! 

#1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5544431/

#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3022636/

#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154787/

Testosterone as a secret therapy for hashimoto's thyroiditis

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About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

P.S. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now:

#1. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here.

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30 thoughts on “Testosterone: My Secret Remedy for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis”

  1. Great article! I am currently using BHRT and recently had my hormones retested here are my results:
    Testosterone, Free + Total Testosterone, Serum – 82 (flagged high) range 3-41
    Free Testosterone (Direct) -2.4 range 0.0-4.2
    DHEA-176.0 range 41.2-243.7
    Wondering if you could explain the high total T 82? Could this be because aromatase, sometimes my T converts to E?

    Reply
  2. I have low T as well as hypothyroidism. I just got testosterone pellets this week. I’m looking forward to feeling better. I have belly fat that is impossible to get off even though I exercise and lift weights. I’m struggling with putting on muscle, as well as low sex drive. I am also on estradiol pills. They help a lot. No more hot flashes!!!! I had a partial hysterectomy 7 years ago, and will be 50 this Thursday. I’m too young to feel this way, looking forward to feeling better.

    Reply
  3. Hello Dr Westin Child, I was wondering would SHBG effect the true reading of you free testosterone? I am 30 but my shbg is high for my age ( I’ve been told?) but my free testosterone is in Australian ranges but I was wondering if shbg is giving me a false free testosterone result.

    Thanks,
    Amy

    Reply
  4. HI Dr. Childs,
    Thanks so much for the great info. I have Hashimotos and have low testosterone. I was given a prescription for testosterone and estrogen cream back in January. 2 months into taking it, my hair began to shed a lot. I was lucky to have had thick hair but the loss was very noticeable to me. So I stopped taking the creams and my hair by August was looking and feeling great.

    As my labs came back with low T and E again, my doctor suggested I go back on the cream. Well two months into taking it again, the hair shedding came back so I went off again in October in hopes my hair would bounce back again.

    So that was my experience with Testosterone supplementation. Not sure if it will be helpful to anyone.

    I appreciate all your incredible support!

    Elizabeth Vagianos

    Reply
  5. I am 46 yrs old with hashimoto/hypothyroidism and in menopause with low testosterone…I did the testosterone pellets last Sept and felt amazing and lost 15lbs. My endo said he wouldnt see me anymore if I got the pellets injected again(from a different dr) I was heartbroken…it was the best I felt in years. So now I am back to square 1 feeling as horrible as ever! Oh but my thyroids levels are spot on-so he claims!!!???!!!

    Reply
    • So stick with the other doc who gave you the pellets, you original doc doesn’t seem to care if you’re feeling well or not.

      Reply
  6. Well I must have won the rarity lottery because I have both PCOS and Hashimotos. I suffer from low sex drive, weight loss resistance, hyperlipidemia, mood issues and hirsutism. My Dr said my testosterone levels are normal, so what would be my recourse at this point?

    Reply
  7. Over the last 20 months I have lost half my hair, where it has snapped off. I’m not sure if this is due to my thyroid. I had a large goitre as big as a large orange 8cm by 6cm on left side so had it removed about 8.5 yrs ago. I felt tired so started taking thyroxine 125mg. My last result was T4 in so called normal range and TSH 0.02 Also, my iron storage level keeps going low it was 12 then I took iron tablets that bloated my stomach and made me feel sick it took the level to 31. But I came off of the tablets. Still I do not know why my iron storage level keeps dropping. But I’m out of breath when it does. I’m also going through the change so hormones all over the place. I have been taking herbal remedies for mood swings and hot flushes sage complex & magnolia rhodiola cherry night Vitamin E and peptides + collagen types I, II, V, & X powder. So much going on I do not know where to turn, sex drive do not know what that is anymore. I just want to feel like a person again age 52

    Reply
  8. Hi and thanks for your video/article. I am hypothyroid but do not show antibodies for Hashimoto’s. I take 50 mcg Sythroid along with 5 mpg Liothyronine in the am, and another 5mcg of Liothyronine in late afternoon/early evening. It took a lot of convincing to get my doctor to let me have the Liothyronine; I was able to get it after a test that showed a high Reverse T3 level. I still am not able to lose weight or build muscle which frustrates me to no end because I’m a yoga teacher and am very physically active. I’m also post menopausal btw. Iv’e been interested in testosterone for a long time, thinking that could be a missing piece. Do you think it could benefit me even without the Hashimoto’s antibodies? I have other autoimmune issues that crop up occasionally: scleritis and Raynaud’s syndrome. I also want to ask you what you think of Pine Pollen as a source of testosterone, taken as a tincture under the tongue. Thanks so much in advance!

    Reply
  9. Hello- can I work with you to test my testosterone and treat it? I am sure it is low- I am 30 years old and have had Hashimotos/hypothyroidism since I was 17. I am on thyroid meds and still have a tough time losing weight, building muscle, irritable etc.

    How can I work with you?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Christie,

      I’m not taking any patients right now so that’s not possible but there are other providers out there who should be able to help!

      Reply
  10. Read article on agmatine & NMD agreed for me to try to see if it brings up my testosterone.
    Curious about your thought?

    Reply
  11. Testosterone was very low but DHEA was good. My doctor only wanted to prescribe DHEA because he said that is the best way for women to get testosterone. I have hashis but struggle with losing fat, gaining muscle (even though I am an avid weightlifter at 50 years old), and hair loss. I am hoping the doctor will reconsider after your article. He is pretty open to research.

    Reply
  12. I recently started 1mg sublingual testosterone and have noticed some water retention. How long does it take for the water retention to go away after starting testosterone?

    Reply
  13. Dr. Childs,
    Would treating low testosterone possibly improve low end of normal FT3 & T4 plus slightly high RT3 (16.8)? Or, would you still use thyroid meds? Don’t officially have hashimotos but maybe I’ve had it so long, the Ab are so low that it seems I don’t have hashimotos?

    I have symptoms of autoimmune disease since having tick borne infections 8 years ago and rheumatologist thinks I have an autoimmune disease but hasn’t yet determined what.

    Thanks did your time.
    Liz

    Reply
    • Hi Liz,

      I suppose it’s possible but testosterone would tend to have more of an impact on the immune side of things and, therefore, antibody levels.

      Reply
  14. I am so glad I found this article I have been trying to get help for 14 years when my last child was born I had septic infection and I have never been the same. Treated for adrenal insufficiency, ulcerative colitis lupus, edema insomnia and last levels showed Hashimoto’s but they didn’t do anything because said I had to get my lupus under control I went to a gyn spa and he did hormone work up and I had <3 T started pellets Wednesday and as I look back at my labs from 2015 I was at <3 then and doctor told me you are female and don’t testosterone smh doctors really should stay up on education so patients don’t have to suffer and waste their live away. Thank you for all your info research and hard work.

    Reply
  15. Hello Dr. Childs,

    I have been using Estrogen and Testosterone cream since having a hysterectomy many years ago and I am now 58. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2017 and have been on Levothyroxine and Liothyronine. At some point in 2018 my Dr. suggested DHEA supplementation (25mg). In July of this year my Dr. increased my Testosterone dose and today my hair is falling like crazy. Also in July I had started a Keto Diet and digestive enzymes. Over the course of three months my T3 jumped from 3.18 to 4.08 and Liothyronine cut back. I have now been diagnosed with Androgenic Alopecia and told to stop the Testosterone although, when looking at my blood test results, most everything falls into the postmenopause category with two exceptions, Testosterone at 77ng/dl and SHBG at 161.3 nmol/L. I’m an athlete, I have been feeling like everything is out of whack over the last few months and I am freaked out about what’s going to happen when I stop the Testosterone.

    Reply
  16. Dr. Childs….

    I’ve been following you on your YouTube channel and online for the last year. You’ve helped hundreds if not more than hundreds of women understand what exactly is going on with their bodies with respect to their thyroid, etc. that in and of itself is admirable because you’re not trying to shove a bunch of expensive products down their throats.

    So I thought I’d run my lab results by you real quick because they make no sense to me after lots and lots of research… And they makes no sense to my doctor as well (Which is not so comforting as you can imagine.)

    I understand you’re not taking patients , nor are you actually practicing, I’m just hoping you can at least point me in the right direction….

    I am a 53 year old female post menopausal currently taking 10 µg of levothyroxine every day.
    My TSH, with reflex to FT4 is very high (5.98). My SHBG is also very high (204). Yet my Total Testosterone is also high (49). Everything else is within the normal range. I… My iron and ferritin are all normal. My DHEA is within range as well as my androgen levels. The only other thing that’s abnormal is my white blood cell count, which is actually low.

    So what gives? Hashimotos usually indicates high TSH but low testosterone, Doesnt it?

    I’m just at a loss… My GP said to wait and retest in six months… But if I wait that long, I won’t have any more hair on my head… Lol. It was actually my dermatologist (a nurse practitioner) who ordered the thyroid panel… And although she is a super nice medical professional, she does not have any experience with specific thyroid problems.

    Would you recommend that I see a specific thyroid doctor? I can’t find anything online that speaks of having high TSH and high testosterone.

    I apologize for the long comment, but if you could provide me with a general reply, re what information I provided you, I would be greatly indebted to you.

    Thank you so so much!

    Reply
  17. Hello, Dr. Childs!

    I have been fighting hypothyroidism for over a year now and just had my blood work completed a week or so ago at the VA. The report tells me the levels are back to normal (but, that’s the question of the year!)
    My outside provider wants me to get a testosterone free test completed. I asked him if I still should now that the levels have finally returned to normal and he said yes. I might add that I had a hysterectomy at 28 yrs old (endometriosis…..still unsure why they would perform a COMPLETE HYSTERECTOMY AND BILATERAL OOPHORECTOMY FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS??? Maybe that’s what they did back in the late 60’s?) So, I am wondering if there really IS a need for the testosterone free test?

    I would also like to add that since it took so long for me to get my numbers back to “normal”, I developed some really bad myxedema lesions on both tibias and was told that the only way they would ever clear up (after 2 yrs) would be for my thyroid levels to be normal again. Originally, a cancer clinic here biopsied the large lesion and said it was cancer. The VA biopsied and said it was benign. I let the cancer clinic talk me into surgically removing it and I have since found out that removing myxedema lesions was not recommended. I have developed another small sore on the incision and was told that could be the myxedema trying to grow back and get through the surgical scarring?

    As you can tell, I am a mess—–and cannot seem to get any concrete answers no matter where I turn. I recently celebrated the second anniversary of my 80th birthday ——82 going on 60 🙂

    I miss being able to do my daily 5 mile walks and a lot of other things in which I have engaged for many years. I am hoping to obtain some solutions or recommendations from you, Dr. Childs. I have heard nothing but awesome things about you!

    Gratefully and God bless!

    Reply
  18. I’ve used compounded testosterone cream to treat Hashimoto’s in the past and it was an expensive nightmare because the T converted to E as it crossed from my skin into my blood. I’m already suffering from E-dominance so the cream put me into a severe state of depression and I couldn’t think straight.

    Instead, I’m currently using calcium d-glucarate to balance the high E symptoms (taken at bedtime) and a very low dose of DHEA (taken with dinner) which appears to be helping my body to naturally increase T. My labs are proof that when it comes to the endocrine system what works for one doesn’t work for another. We’re all unique and have different needs. Find the healthcare professional who understands that and you’re on the right track towards feeling better! It’s NOT always an MD either. My greatest healing has happened under the care of a DC, a LAc, and an ARNP.

    Reply
  19. Greatly informative article, thank you– I’m more of a natural health person, but I’d consider doing testosterone treatment because I feel so low and keep getting sick… However, if this helps would I then have to stay on testosterone permanently?
    This would deter me from trying it.
    I’m curious if you have seen patients being helped by the testosterone, and then coming off of it and still retaining the positive results long-term?
    I’m 44 with Hashimoto’s.
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Hi Joanne,

      Generally speaking, because testosterone declines with age, you will need to stay on it indefinitely. The only exception is if you are somehow able to reverse whatever condition was causing premature lowering of testosterone to begin with. Another androgen alternative that could be considered if you didn’t want to use testosterone is DHEA.

      Reply
      • Thank you for your reply! God bless you for the work you do in sincerely trying to help people. I’ve been reading other articles on your site and they have been so helpful. I’ll look into perhaps foods high in DHEA, or natural ways to boost testosterone, if that is something that exists.

        Reply

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