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[3isenough]

I’ve been using estrogen (patches then gel) for a year. Levels were 582 in June, and declared fine in October.

 I was prescribed testogel in May as my testosterone was undetectable in Nov 2019 and still in June 2020, I’ve used it religiously every night normally on my forearms 1 tenth of a sachet.

Blood taken in October 2020 and the consultant has written saying it is still low, but better than before I could do with taking a bit more... I don’t know how much a BIT more is... or why I wouldn’t have increased my levels sufficiently.

For History The consultant thinks I wasn’t taking it in June, when my level was still undetectable, which I wasn’t but that’s because I only got the script in June after she wrote to the GP, I got a tel app, picked up the sachets etc. I think she is thinking she prescribed it Nov 2019 which she didn’t. It was prescribed in May 2020. Hence I think she has it in her mind I’m not taking it properly. I can’t speak to her, I am on the list for a follow,up but no idea when that will happen. Sometime in 2021 I expect.

I’m having a total hysterectomy and Ovary removal on Saturday! Too late to get my levels straight before then

[3isenough]

Thanks Birdy. It’s the really, I feel fine but I guess having more testosterone would maybe help a few bits. As will getting rid of my womb and ovaries.

The consultant was off sick from May to October this summer. Apparently there are no other meno experts at the clinic and she is now understandably much delayed. I’m lucky I got a letter really.

I could ask for another referral to a bigger hospital but I do like her. So I will wait. I suppose if I grow a beard or my voice breaks it is too much testosterone 

[Hurdity]

Docs should only be using testosterone tests to check whether levels are too high from what I understand -because the tests are inaccurate at lower levels of this hormone in a test designed for (higher) male levels. You should go by symptoms re the testosterone and I would be wary of increasing on the basis of what the tests show. In any case I was told by the gynae I went to 5 years ago that the effects of testosterone are not instant - it mediates it effects at cellular level and can take 4-5 months to fully take effect.

You haven't mentioned symptoms? What symptoms have you been getting that you and/or your consultant believe are due to deficiency in testosterone?

Having said that, if you have had a total hysterectomy and ovary removal then you may well need a higher dose, but because the testosterone preparations are not designed for women the dosage is guesswork to some extent even amongst professionals.

All the best for your op!! Let us know how you are!

Hurdity x

[3isenough]

Sorry hurdity I’ve been out of it post hysterectomy. Symptoms were/are low libido. I would say it has improved a bit, I have flashes of libido but not consistent. Generalised weakness, and hand pain. The weakness is much better, I was able to work all day on a kitchen refit, using my hands too, so the hand pain is better if not completely resolved. Last Nov 2019 I had undetectable testosterone I wasn’t put on replacement until May 2020 which was the next consultant appointment. I’ve been taking testogel 1/10th nightly since then. So it’s been 5 months by the time I had the Oct bloods - I wasn’t given a no just told it was detectable but still low and to increase a bit..  by letter. I have bloods to do again but not for 6 months... I do like my meno consultant but appointments are rare!

[Hurdity]

Hi 3isenough - re libido. Testosterone may not improve that but what it should do is greatly improve "response" and I'm not going to be explicit on the open forum!  Suffice to say that my response was completely restored to pre-menopause but libido (desire) I would say is unchanged. There is a private lives section if you want to discuss any details or explore this further.

Hurdity x