Testosterone levels

[Usedtobechilled]

Hi there,

Just requested my blood results back after being told they are satisfactory.
My testosterone level (which I've suspected was low for years) is down as <0.5nmol/l.
Any idea why there is no specific value?
And also, I'm assuming from a bit of googling, anything below 0.5 is considered low?
Thanks

Just to add I'm 37 and also have low fsh/lh if that matters.

A wee bump hoping someone can give advice? I tried to buy testosterone through superdrug but they won't sell me any because I'm not 40 😥

Well mine was through the floor and GP gave me testosterone, however GPs usually won't prescribe it until you've got sufficient oestrogen.

So I'd say go and talk to GP about HRT and go from there.

Because I'm not peri or menopausal the gp is saying I can't be prescribed it. Honestly losing my mind. I'm at the point I feel like I'm expected to live like a nun til I'm menopausal and then they might help me.

I'd go and see a gynae privately.

There is a product for women that helps with libido - DHEA I think it's called. Not prescribed in meno.

There's a podcaster called Kelly Casperson who talks about this product (american podcast but I think it is licensed here)

I'll look that up thanks.
I'm genuinely at the point I'm trying to figure out how to game the system and pretend to be a man to get testosterone.
I'm infuriated that as an adult I can't at least try this through my gp. The worst that happens is I have side effects and I stop taking it.

Testosterone is only prescribed off licence for low libido in women not as part of standard hrt. You are best to go to a private meno specialist - I saw saw Dr Nina Wilson at one woman health she was amazing. She sorted me out my initial prescription after a very long and detailed investigation including some additional blood test and then I was able to swap my prescription over to NHS something like testosterone, however, could continue to be prescribed on a private prescription basis if it’s felt that that’s what you need.

Ps “Testosterone and other androgens (hormones that contribute to growth and reproduction) levels can be measured using a blood test. Testosterone levels between 0.29-1.67nmol/L are normal for women under the age of 50, with over 50s having slightly lower levels at 0.101-1.42nmol/L. However, everyone is different, and the healthy level for you will depend on a number of factors.”

so your level is not abnormally low - you need to look at it within whole bigger hormonal picture

According to my gp though I'm not menopausal nor peri, my hormone levels are spot on for a woman of my age. The only thing off seems to be testosterone in that my results don't have a specific number, just <0.5 and according to my gp there is no lower scale. In my mind that means I could literally have 0 but according to the nhs that's ok because there's no low end of the scale.

Honestly I feel like testosterone is possibly my last hope. I run 5k 3 times a week, I sleep well, I have a decent diet, I dont feel stressed. I've put so much time and effort into changing my lifestyle and nothing has helped.

I'm currently trying to find out if an endocrinologist would be willing to prescribe testosterone to someone who isn't peri/menopausal before I start paying for consultations etc. because if they're not willing to then there's no point starting that process

What symptoms do you have that you feel will be resolved by testosterone ?

The absolute death of my libido when I was about 32 (previous to this I would say I had a middle of the road libido)
I had the implant, it may be coincidence but ever since I had it and then subsequently taken out its never came back.
I've spoken to nurses, doctors, you name it over the years and nobody has ever tried to help or taken it seriously. Once a nurse asked how long I'd been with my partner, at that point it had been maybe 4 years, she replied well you've been together a long time. I don't want to give up because I feel like there must be something wrong.

Testerone is prescribed for low libido - so that would be the request to the gp. Good luck!

Ie it doesn’t have to be connected to menopause

If you happen to holiday in Turkey OP, any pharmacy will order Testogel in for you the same day. recent cost for me was c £46 for a years supply.

@TheShiningCarpet GP won't prescribe it because there's no lower limit apparently (although I've read nhs documents that do give a range women should fall between) so my gp won't prescribe it. Instead has referred me to some holistic centre 😑 she was also very much willing to prescribe me anti depressants (im not depressed) than the thought of prescribing me testosterone which to me is WILD that youd rather give me anti depressants than try me for a few months on testosterone @VWT5 that is good to know, not booked a holiday this year so I'm defo going to keep that in mind 😊

@VWT5 do you mind me asking why you're having to get yours from Turkey? Is it a similar situation? If so, has it helped any?

Yeah in that case I’d go private - check out one woman’s health, dr Nina is amazing.

good luck!

It’s not so much that I have to get the Testogel abroad, more that I just happen to be travelling cheaply to Turkey off season (e.g. walking hols in November) and the pharmacists there are always so very helpful. Always offer same afternoon or next day delivery without issue.

My lovely UK GP was unable to prescribe for me at the time due to NICE / and some local regulations, but having done my own research (Newson / BMS articles etc) she is incredibly supportive of my obtaining my own supply, and the surgery willingly then test my levels 6 monthly.

I noticed improvement unusually quickly, 10 days in my case, more energy, happier and my sense of humour returned. I would describe it as others have done - like the final missing piece of the jigsaw. (In my case using it in addition to Oestrogel and Utrogestan). I usually make the Testogel sachet last 10 days, but it can be 7 days, or sometimes use on alternate days only. There was a brilliantly informative Newson video released about it’s use around a month ago.

Don’t berate me for confessing that I accidentally over applied on one occasion (on opening the sachet)and it “might” have sent me a bit wild resulting in my inappropriate romantic approach to a good and longstanding chap….who I see less of these days 😬😂

(If it helps anyone else going on their travels, I found it is not available in Greece, Croatia or Spain without prescription).