Hi Hurdity
Sorry for slow response. My info on oestrogen and testosterone is just what my consultant told me. I did google it at the time and found relevant info, which I now can't find, of course!!
Have found this though, which I think is interesting;
https://www.menopause.org.au/images/stories/infosheets/docs/AMS_Sexual_difficulties_in_the_menopause_2016.pdfBased on personal experience, reckon my consultant is right since, 6 weeks into increased dosage of oestrogen, I am starting to feel more interested in sex with some improvement in response
Fingers crossed it will last. I am to have oestradiol retested in 2 weeks time, then restart the testim gel with consultant review at beg Dec. Maybe I'll be all sorted in time for Xmas!!
Re hormone levels - I have also been told that hormone levels are only usually tested if there is some doubt about whether the HRT is being effective.
Re high dosage - I am 58 and have been told by endocrinologist who specialises in cardiovascular and HRT, that the risk of high dosage (i.e.200mcg+) is only to women starting on this dose in their late sixties/ early seventies. I think this relates to heart risk and am aware that there has been recent research highlighting increased risk of breast cancer. I think if it was me, if its working I'd be loathe to change anything.
I think I have been lucky in having better access to information from well informed professionals than most women do, because I started HRT via a clinical trial.
Rose B x