Hi all well been on citalopram for 4 weeks and no more anxiety and depression. However saw meno nurse again today for an update and mentioned tiredness and aching limbs and the dreaded no libido, Last time I saw her said we could try testosterone and would get gp to prescribe. Now however has said as I am 53 cant get it as it is only for younger people. So my question is how can I get it? I dont have a meno clinic nearby and tbh am fedup with fighting my gps etc every step of the way. Is private at my local spire the only option ? or am I missing something?
![Huh? ???](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/huh.gif)
Hi there....
your private local clinic 'may' be the only option.....
I don't know why GP says it's only for younger people?
You could start by getting blood tests (free testosterone and NOT just 'testosterone') and if free testosterone is in lower part of normal then you know you could benefit from testosterone therapy...then collate as much info/research as you can to bring to your GP and ask him/her to reconsider.
IF this fails then yes a referral to a menopause clinic would be good...but you say there is no where local that you could go....you could travel if you can and want...you can be referred to any clinic in the country so long that you travel at your own expenses and can be at the appt on time. I live in south London and I go to CARDIFF to see my endocrinologist, I got my GP to refer me to him as he is the most eminent endo in UK and only he would understand my specific condition (rare), but GP wanted to refer me locally, I told him it was MY RIGHT under the 'NHS constitution' to be able to choose any doctor in the country, once I said that, he referred me LOL
If menopause clinic is not an option for you (ie: personal decision, financial etc) then if you can go private this is also the option.
Self medication is not the preferred route and with testosterone you need to monitor your free testosterone and also other hormones (ie oestradiol) to make sure you don't go outside optimal ranges and then have the risk of negative side effects (and some negative side effects of testosterone could be permanent like hirsutism or enlarged clitoris as an example).
I self treated myself with testosterone, however I told my private doctor, endo and GP what I was doing (I don't like keeping secrets with my doctors) and was always happy to show them my test results (I test privately for the free testosterone/oestrogen/SHBG). They always give their opinion of whether I should or should not and we discuss it, also they are used to me, having known me a few years and they know I do my research 'properly' as I am in the health profession myself
![Cheesy :D](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/cheesy.gif)
LOL
But more importantly they are aware in case any of my other medications could interact or have untoward side effects if I am on testosterone AND they are more able to assess my health/symptoms if they need to as they know the full story.
So my 'self treatment' is not a 'true' self treatment as I involve my doctors in it, they just don't issue a prescription
![Cheesy :D](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/cheesy.gif)