Testosterone - gone from 0.8 to 1.8, doctor wants to review

[menohnopausal]

I started testosterone replacement (using Testim gel) back in October to try and help with my libido. My DIY orgasms had become really sad and weak, and I had no desire to have sex with DH. The Testim has helped with the quality of orgasms, but it hasn't helped with desire to have sex with DH (btw, he's lovely, and it really saddens me that I've gone off it!).

However, I've also noticed a variety of other positive effects: I feel sharper and more energetic. I feel more confident and assertive. I've also noticed that I have better bladder control! As such I'm keen to keep taking it.

My baseline bloodtest in October was 0.8 and it's now at 1.8, which I realise is just over the "norm", and I don't know how "bad"/risky this is, or what options are available for me to continue enjoying the benefits. Maybe I should sugest reducing the dosage (eg from one tube over 10 days to one tube over 14 days?).

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice / expertise to share with me about this before I meet with GP? My experience of my GPs are that they are willing and helpful, but somewhat under-informed about HRT (I had to update GP about some fairly basic HRT options when I went on oestrogen, for example).

I would be interested in knowing this too. I have only been on testosterone for a week but the changes have been astonishing. Everyone thought I had Long Covid because my muscles had become so weak but a week on testosterone and the strength is coming back slowly. I could barely walk 10 mins and now I can. I actually can't imagine not taking it so I am concerned that if my levels do get high they might try and stop it and I really don't want to!

Wow, I'm so pleased for you about that! Did you have a baseline test?

My baseline testosterone wasn't particularly low, I think, and my diet and lifestyle are already good for naturally maintaining testosterone, so I'm not that surprised that I've edged over the "norm".

I'm actually a bit confused about "normal" levels - I've seen various sources which say that levels should be <2.2, rather than <1.8

It's pretty annoying how little info and clarity there is around all of this, given that (at least anecdotally) testosterone has a positive effect (not just on the libido).

your result is fine! The review will surely be to discuss how you're getting on. Mine is higher now and my doc said to reduce it and gave another blood test in a month. No way am I giving it up I feel great! I don't have any adverse symptoms and have been taking it for years

Thanks @MadamVastra ! You could very well be right about the review. I probably read too much into the receptionist's tone of voice when she called me to arange an appointment (I assumed the blood result was a problem).

yes I did have a baseline test. My fitness and health were great before I got sick (I was fit/healthy/good weight and a runner) and then I had a very gradual decline for about 6 months - I had Covid, recovered and went back to work but was just 'not quite right'. And then it felt like I was picking up every illness that came around and then one day I woke up and I just couldn't get out of bed. I thought i had tonsilitis but I didn't - I was just completely exhausted. Coincidentally, at exactly the same time, my periods, which have been regular my entire life just stopped. 3 months later, I started making a gradual recovery, my doing nothing but I still couldn't walk very far or do very much without becoming bedridden. Very very luckily for me, my GP knew a specialist who was doing research into the area of Long Covid and perimenopause and I got a consultation with him and he suggested HRT. The progesterone/oestrogen didn't do much but they wanted me stabilised on that first and I've just started adding in the testosterone and for the first time in about 2 years, I'm starting to feel like I might get some of my life back.

This isn't my story but it is quite similar though tbh I didn't see any improvement till adding the testosterone.

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/hrt-and-long-covid-patient-story/

fingers crossed you can both stay on it @menohnopausal and @MadamVastra

@MadamVastra I've yet to see my GP, and wondered if you could tell me where you got that infographic? I'm wanting to go in as prepared as possible just in case they do think 1.8 is too high. (For various reasons I'm not feeling massively confident about their expertise in hormonal issues!).

@SpongeBobRectanglePants how are you getting on?

I'm really worried they're going to insist I reduce / stop the testosterone...It's a game changer in terms of confidence, stamina amd mental sharpness! And I have no bad side effects, as far as I'm aware.

Sure op no problem - it's my actual nhs blood test result and they put them on my app for me to see.

I had a similar situation albeit with Testogel, the solution was just to use a very slightly smaller blob or to skip a day or two a week.

My consultant did say that if I had no side effects then I didn't desperately need to reduce the level, it was just that for me I only needed quite a small blob for optimal levels.

Testosterone gel dosing is really guess work though! I was told to use a pea sized amount, it turned out it was more petit pois than garden pea!

@MadamVastra I'm surprised your GP has let you continue using gel with testosterone levels that high.

@menohnopausal I expect the GP will just want you to stretch your gel across a longer period to keep your serum testosterone below 1.8 and recheck it in a couple of months.

Well @Sidge who said they had?

@MadamVastra you said reduce, not stop.

I'd have thought they'd have stopped it for a while to let the levels drop, then reintroduce it. Glad it's not causing you any issues though

@menohnopausal Are you still on testosterone and has it had any further effects? I'm on it too for libido (only a few months in) but while I'm thinking about sex more, my DIY orgasms are still rubbish. (It's as if the motor cuts out just when I should be coming.) Just wondered what your experience was, if you are still on it.