Online testosterone tests for menopausal women

[EggRollsForever]

Has anyone used one of the many available online ? Which company? Do you know if your results were accurate as in backed up by further ones?

No, but I'd be interested in hearing more.

Usually, finger prick tests are not that accurate.

There was a report yesterday in the news about women doing home tests for menopause. The BMS said it's a waste of money (which most of us know anyway) partly because over age 45 tests aren't needed to diagnose it, and women under 45 would get a test at their GP.

Soooooo...not sure why you don't see your GP?
You can't get testosterone over the counter, only on prescription and as it's not licensed for women, some GPs can be a iffy about it.

What are you wanting it for?

If my testosterone results showed low levels I would be more likely to try harder to get a prescription. They aren’t fingerprick tests as these can’t be used for most tests, it’s a small vial of blood either collected yourself or you can pay extra to have it drawn. I have used Thriva but not got and comparison figures.

You can't draw blood at home, unless you mean a tiny phial which is a finger-rick test, not through a vein.

The other thing is, how does anyone know if a GP would be willing to accept a blood test result done like this?

The reason I asked is because I see women on here saying that they get testosterone and I was wondering how they actually KNOW they need it ? Do the GPs test for this willingly? How do you know you need this as opposed to just HRT as in Oestrogel? I wasn't thinking at all that a GP would accept it but it would give me some ammunition as it were to go with. My experience with GPs and HRT is not good.

Hi OP,

I agree with previous poster that doing this test yourself is probably a waste of time and money.

I think you need to find a GP that will listen and be willing to refer you on for testosterone if need be. You need to be fully oestrogenized before being considered for testosterone. This is because if you are low on oestrogen, your body will just convert the testosterone you take into oestrogen anyways.

Besides, it's not just testosterone levels, you need SHBG too to calculate the FAI. And again, even then, it is just a number it doesn't really mean much. One can have no symptoms with low FAI and another can have full on symptoms with a normal FAI! Sometimes you also need FSH , LH and oestradiol levels before you embark on HRT, it really depends case by case. And all these tests can be done 'free' on the NHS.

I suggest looking at Newson Health website for its factsheets, lots of information there. The only time I see women getting testosterone so far is via consultant Gynae or GP menopause specialists (private scripts). There may be other ways but I am unaware. (I am new GP waiting for further training on menopause - long wait list due to lack of trainers)

Thanks @Doggywoof . I will look at those factsheets. My experience with the NHS is that sadly they are not prepared to do any tests regarding menopause. I may go private for a review of my situation.

My GP wanted to do blood tests for testosterone before prescribing it for me, and prescribed testosterone once the results were in. I've also had 6-week followup bloods via the GP and will have more in a couple of months. Obviously they are prescribing testosterone off licence so it does depend on what your gp is happy to do but I'd definitely ask first before spending any money.

@EggRollsForever Most drs who prescribe testosterone are a) private specialists and b) want you on HRT before you start on testo.

That's for the very reason you mentioned- how do you know if you need estrogen or testo.

You'd be expected to use HRT for a few months, maybe upping the dose, before they offered testo.

Testo is mainly given for low libido if HRT isn't helping.

The NHS and private drs won't test your hormones if you are over 45 and having meno symptoms.

There is no point. 1) they vary from day to day and 2) the 'test' if you need HRT is to try it and see if it works.

With testo they usually let you start on a low dose and then do blood tests to make sure you are not exceeding the level for women.

Oh I see, in that case I doubt any kind of private test would get you anywhere except personal knowledge of your result.

what do you mean?

If you have test done privately, you get the results.

Do you mean what the results 'mean'?

I have booked an appointment with one of the GPS.

Thanks. I have already been on HRT for 7 years but only oestrogel now.

There are some private menopause clinics who ask you to get these tests done at the GP to avoid paying extortionate fees for them at a private clinic and to let them have them for your initial consultation.

&@JinglingHellsBells i mean that getting any kind of private bloods done is unlikely to get you an nhs prescription, though it may give you more leverage to request a referral to a specialist

I did a Thriva test around age 44 as was curious about my hormones after years of PCOS and feeling a bit meh. This was before I knew blood tests aren’t much good for oestrogen levels. This showed low testosterone and, as I felt my symptoms matched, it started me on a long journey to get testosterone. My GP ordered another test, as did the hospital so no they won’t accept the results but it helped me to identify there was an issue. The NHS results echoed the Thriva test.

Thanks. Useful to know.

I did a Thriva test of various things like thyroid etc which the GP wouldn't test me for. Also testosterone. It brought up some issues so I then went to the GP who repeated the same tests and got the same results. So although nothing to do with HRT my experience suggests the Thriva tests are accurate.

Is 1.1 testosterone levels considered low. Just had my blood results back. I'm totally confused as my doctors say that they are normal. I don't feel normal at all 🤦🏻‍♀️

I just had private blood tests for mine and it was 0.15. The ideal levels were between 0.7 and 1.7 I think they said.

So 1.1 would be ok, but obviously could go higher

Thank you for replying Chesneyhawkes1

A testosterone level won't tell you anything useful. It's normal for levels to be low post-menopause, and the level doesn't correlate with symptoms - see BMS link. Two women with identical testosterone levels can have completely different symptoms.

The main reason for checking testosterone levels before starting treatment is to check that they are not high, not to see whether they are low.

There is no clear evidence at the moment that testosterone relieves menopausal symptoms, other than low libido - see the BMS link again. The big caveat is that not much good quality research has been done on testosterone and the menopause.

Thank you for replying.