Testosterone levels

[K80M]

Hello, I recently (the last 6 months) started on hrt (gel, progesterone and vaginal cream) which has helped the vaginal atrophy (although not fully) but it has done absolutely nothing for my libido which has completely died a death. The doctor is very hesitant to prescribe testosterone but ordered some blood tests which I called to get the results for today. The woman on the phone wasn’t medical so just told me that my testosterone level is 0.23. Does anyone have any idea if this is low enough to be prescribed testosterone? I’m sure the doctor will call to discuss but she really doesn’t want to prescribe it and I just feel so clueless about how to improve that side of things. Any advice really gratefully received! Thank you

I think that does sounds low OP, could you ask your dr/clinician where that figure lies in the 'normal' range. Try superdrug as they are now prescribing testosterone and you might be able to upload a copy of your test to access the meds. Or you can also do a test with Superdrug (for £50) and access it that way.

Thank you @ninetieseyebrows , hopefully she’ll be in touch to discuss the results, I just wanted to be prepped for when I speak to her. Been googling it and I think it’s at the lower end of normal but interested to hear the experience of others too.

@K80M I know nothing at all about menopause but have done a lot of IVF and DHEA is a supplement that also raises testosterone levels. But obviously you'd need to discuss with your doc as I don't know if it's routinely used for menopause. Best of luck with it xxx

@Janefx40 thank you for this - I’ll see what she says x

I’ve just had my hormone levels tested. If it helps my testosterone was .29. The reference range is .08 - .37

i haven’t been prescribed it, but I’m not experiencing the issues you describe though.

@W0tnow thank you 😊

@K80M Did you get anywhere with your GP and testosterone? I‘ve been waiting for a year to go to the meno clinic to ‘discuss’ testosterone and my appt has been postponed 5 times. I got so fed up I told my GP I was going to get some from Superdrug (she wasn’t impressed) so she ordered Androgen level blood tests.
My testosterone is 0.7 nmol/L
My SHBG is 20 nmol/L and apparently abnormal.
I’ve just ordered some from Superdrug.

@Wid i haven’t heard from her…I’d assumed she would contact me after the blood tests but nothing. She wanted my other symptoms to settle down with the oestrogel first and I think I’m just about there with that so I’ll make an appt soon. I’ve never been offered the option of a meno clinic. I’d be really interested to hear how you get on with the testosterone, fingers crossed for you.

I believe normal range is 2-3 nmol/L. It’s a small scale so 0.23 is very low and 0.7 is also pretty low.

@TheOGCCL thank you

@TheOGCCL thank you
@K80M I’m gradually getting there with Superdrug! I had to upload a copy of my testosterone result showing my name and date of test. I access bloodtest results via the Patient Access app and the result is on a different page to your name so I’ve ended up sending lots of screenshots. Let’s see if they’re accepted.

@K80M my Testogel just arrived from Superdrug and I’ve just applied the first pea size amount.

@Wid keep us posted!

Yes please

Don’t just sit around waiting for the GP to call or waiting for them to offer the menopause clinic.
You have to be proactive. Do some research about NICE guidelines (testosterone is named for low libido after a decent try on HRT hasn’t spdealt with this issue) and take a print out or screen shot if them to your appointment. Say you’d like to try it and NICE seems to suggest this is the next step.
Be aware that if you’re going to try it, it’s good practice to do a test of testosterone before you start and at 3 months or similar to see how your levels are.

Also worth noting that your oestrogen levels need to be good for the testosterone to work. I had reduced my oestrogen gel dosage as I was still getting the other benefits (no more night sweats or disturbed sleep) at the lower level, but the menopause clinic upped it again in order for the testosterone to be effective.

I started on testosterone 3 weeks ago, prescribed by Superdrug. I did a blood test via them first and although my levels were not particularly low, they agreed to prescribe it. They only prescribe 24 days worth, and the cost for that is £18. I've just had my second prescription from them delivered.
I'm not really noticing much change yet, but I've read that it can take a few months, so I'm waiting and seeing! I think if I stay on it I'll discuss it with my GP and hopefully get prescriptions from them, as I assume they'll prescribe 6 months at a time, which will obviously work out much cheaper. I just decided that Superdrug might be a simpler route to start with.

On my tests reference ranges were given Serum Testosterone 0 - 1.3; serum sex hormone binding glob 23.7 - 110.60; Free androgen 0.3 - 2.5%

My "before" serum testosterone was 0.6 so already mid range but my gp prescribed testosterone anyway on my request; it went up to 3.2 within a couple of months and I was told to tone it down a bit. I found it had a massive effect within a short period of time, most noticeable on my sex drive, but I know I'm one of the lucky ones.

My GP did make me up my oestrogen first, and that did help with mood flatness. When that was sorted it was on with the testosterone.

I've noticed the impact is less than it was; not sure why.

@AgathaX I’m on a similar path to you, just 2 weeks behind, but the GP ordered the testosterone blood test.
@WombatChocolate I’m fed up with waiting for the meno clinic and have found our local HRT guidelines that I’m going to take to the GP. They mention seeking specialist advice, hence the referral to clinic but there has to be an alternative.

My GP prescribed Tostran 2% and I started last week.
I am applying 1 pump every 3 days….

I picked up my prescription yesterday. 1 pea sized blob a day…will report back.

Great K80M,
I am definitely less anxious but it’s early days for me.

No change here yet, apart from maybe feeling a bit more energy at the gym. Is it too soon to feel like it’s not going to work?

I think it was working as I felt like having sex 😂 but I keep losing the box containing the stupid little foil packets 🙈, i then order some more from Superdrug and then find the original box!
I currently can’t find either box, so am about to order some more.

@SoyMarina any further progress?