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[Clarella]

I got a private test a while ago which was 0.15 and showed low on the medichecks range.

Had a recent hrt review and discussed testosterone. I’m not sure my symptoms are controlled yet (low libido, still achey) but on 100 patches. 

She offered to retest and check oestrogen too. These are the results and I wondered if anyone can translate please? I’ve seen some sort of calculation with the binding hormone. Unsure why oestrogen has dropped despite being on more than I was at last test (230 on 75 patches)

Serum testosterone level < 1.0 nmol/L [< 1.7]
Serum calculated free testosterone 1 pmol/L [3.0 - 33.0]; Outside reference range
Serum sex hormone binding globulin level 63 nmol/L [32.0 - 128.0]

Serum oestradiol level 189 pmol/L

[Clarella]

Hopeful bump 

[Tracylou]

Hi, you take your testosterone level, divide it by your SHBG figure then multiply by 100 to give you your FAI.

[Clarella]

Thank you - what is the significance of FAI? Is that all they look at?

[Clarella]

Mine is 1.58.

I’ve seen different ranges; 0.5-6.5% or 0.18 - 7.07.

Could I still be considered for testosterone?

 I suspect my Gp will raise oestrogen first though. My last test on 75 patches was 260 ish and yet the latest is 189 on 100 patches!

[Hurdity]

Hi Clarella

Testing for testosterone levels is not necessary for prescribing testosterone - because the tests are very inaccurate at low levels. A better indication should be that if you are on HRT with a respectable oestrogen level (again tests are inaccurate but a one off reading of 189 pmol/l is not exceptionally low - and also depends when in your patch change part of the week the blood was drawn - but it is quite low for 100 mcg patches....), if you have low libido/response then off-licence T could help. You would have to get your GP to agree to this though and not all will. Sometime women have to go privately first and then the specialist will write to your GP and they (GP) can then follow up with subsequent prescriptions.

You say you're on patches which is good - because oral HRT also reduces free T because it binds to SHBG.

Also apparently some anti-depressants reduce libido.

Finally progesterone (progestogens) also depresses libido so if you are on conti HRT this could also be a factor.

Good luck!

Hurdity x

[Clarella]

I’m so sorry I never replied to your very helpful post hurdity, I completely lost it!

Gp both raised my oestrogen dose to 125 and said she’d prescribe testosterone to trial. I queried it should perhaps do Oestrogen first but I she was happy for both.

My oestrogen was higher last year on 75 patches, around 260 iirc. Is it possible hrt has repressed my own over time? Or I’ve just gone further into menopause?

I’m in two minds about testosterone- I’ve had so much hair growth come back on oestrogen that I’m wary of loosing it! And now don’t get spots. And it’s nice not having such greasy hair - though I miss strength, mental sharpness!  libido isn’t what it was and brain fog and energy is still a bit of a problem. And some aches and pains but that could be anything.

It’s having to be ordered in so I think I’m just raising the oestrogen for a little while. I suppose it’s possible that could help matters.

Im on continuous now but wasn’t and still had these issues. If anything continuous progesterone has helped a little with sleep and possibly libido. It’s just still not what it was. Which wasn’t massive but better than now!

[Clarella]

Gp did say some of her patients have found it helps brain and fatigue. She also said 50% do not like it and come off it. On this basis she’s happy for a trial.