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[Gizmarelda]

Hi all

I'm on HRT and managed to get an appointment with a menopause clinic who arranged to test my testosterone levels. I called for my results which are:
Testosterone - 0.3
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 79

Does anyone know what the numbers mean? I stupidly didn't ask for the type of measurement those numbers relate to and it took ages to get through on the phone so I don't want to call back. I'd like to know if my testosterone is low and whether they are likely to prescribe me any. I've been googling for ages and can't work it out.

I have a call with the clinic next week but I'm impatient to know!

[Jellyb]

Hi,
I've posted something similar this morning.  My level is 0.5.  No idea if that's low enough for them to give it to me.
Hopefully someone will come along soon and enlighten us!

[laszla]

Yes, those are very low figures. Even more important than the total testosterone is the free androgen index (FAI), essentially the testosterone that isn't bound to the SHBG.
There's a FAI calculator here https://www.mdapp.co/free-androgen-index-fai-calculator-370/ - yours will certainly be low.

[ATB]

My specialist and others say that FAI or free testosterone should be between 2-5%, yours is 0.3 based on those numbers so that’s incredibly low. Mine was 1.4 and I struggled with energy, concentration, memory etc and a little with libido but less of a problem.

The issue with getting a prescription is that there is little research on testosterone and the effects of low levels on women, most research and focus is on men and their libido only. So the NHS may prescribe it to women but with only for low libido and they tend to make you look at other things first. Privately I do purchase testosterone and it probably had more of a positive difference to my life than estrogen but maybe because exercise was a big part of my life that’s more specific to me personally. I do think it’s important, based on what I’ve read, for all of us to have good testosterone levels. You must be struggling with such low levels.

[Gizmarelda]

Interesting, thanks. I don't know if 0.3 is a percentage or some other measurement. I basically have no sex drive which is why I asked for the referral.

[Gizmarelda]

OK wow I just checked that calculator and you're right it is very low. I'm sort of pleased to find that out. As well as low libido I'm feeling a lot less clever than I used to be and lacking motivation generally.

[Jellyb]

Sorry to piggyback on this thread, but my results show testosterone only (0.5), there's no mention of any other things that you've mentioned.

[ATB]

There’s total testosterone, which sadly often is all the NHS give you, there’s SHBG- sex hormone binding globulin- and then from those two you calculate what is ‘free’ and able to be used by your body, known as the FAI- free androgen index. There’s no point just telling a patient their total testosterone. In menopause total goes down and often the SHBG goes up. If you’re on thyroid medication of any kind then that raises your SHBG and unfortunately will usually mean a low free testosterone. Despite taking testosterone I struggle to get it up a bit because of the thyroid meds. I was never told when I was put on thyroid meds that would happen to my testosterone either!

[Jellyb]

Thanks ATB, so given the only info I've got is that my testosterone level is 0.5, is that low & is it low enough for my gp to give me testosterone? We've discussed it , hence the blood test. Follow up call tomorrow with him.

[Gizmarelda]

For those saying it's low, do uk tests use the same method of reporting? (like the difference between micrograms and milligrams) So my level couldn't be 30 rather than 0.3?

[ATB]

It’s nmol.
The FAI is a percentage, so you wouldn’t be 30% or you’d be very very high and really know it. You’re aiming for 2-5%

[ATB]

Jellyb a private doctor would likely put you on testosterone with those levels but the NHS as far as I know prescribe based on the symptoms of low libido only. It really depends who you see

[Jellyb]

ATB, yes the discussion I had with my GP was about that, hence the blood test. So, based on the 0.5 result, do you think he will prescribe? Have follow up call with him tomorrow to discuss the result so I'd like to be well informed first if possible.  Thanks.

[Gizmarelda]

Thanks ATB.

[ATB]

Jellyb the guidelines GPs follow are to prescribe if you have symptoms of low libido. If they ordered the tests and told you the result would determine the prescription then it is low so more likely. It really depends on the GP. It’s possible but not common.