Hi all,
Trying to get on top of my symptoms haha.
Just looking through test results and my testosterone was 0.5 nmol/L in 2022.
This seems within the limits and my GP at that time said it was fine.
Is it low/fine/borderline?
Is it likely to have decreased since then?
I have fatigue, no sex drive etc etc but this may just be HRT related…I don’t know anything anymore!
Thank you.
Testosterone should be able to be prescribed on the basis of symptoms alone - and taking into account other factors, although base-line testing may be helpful. The problem is that the test is just not sensitive at the very low levels women experience to accurately pick out subtle differences in levels, as the test is designed for the much higher levels men experience.
Other factors that lead to low free T or low sex drive, are using oral oestrogen as part of your HRT, and some anti-depressants can also negatively affect libido/response. Also if you are taking continuous progesterone as part of your HRT - sometimes this can also depress libido .
Can you tell us how old you are and what HRT you are taking, and how long you've been taking it, whether you are post-meno etc, and any other meds?
Hurdity x
Hello, thank you for your reply.
I am 49 next month.
I have been on oestrogel and utrogesten since July 2020, for peri. Initially I went private as couldn’t get GP to discuss.
I started on cyclical and after two years changed to daily progesterone on advice from private Dr.
I have had one break through bleed last November but all ok, lining good.
I am currently on 4 pumps to control hot flushes, gradually built up over last 7 months and now controlled.
I am doing this alone as GP has no clue. I can’t afford a private appt, but do have NHS phone appt with meno clinic next month (2 year wait).
No other meds.