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[Pollie]

I don't want to hijack Hurdity's excellent thread but am seriously considering testosterone gel and want to hear about other experiences....

Specifically;

NHS or not ?
If NHS - Prescribed to treat which symptoms ?
With or without uterus ?
If Private what was the rough cost of consultation and subsequent prescriptions ?
Anyone get it online without prescription ?
Anyone had or have their levels tested and can remember what they were?

I have struggled with sore weak muscles for a long time. GP refused to test for T  as my uterus intact so I had a private blood test done on its own for £46 which tells me my level was 1.1 in a range of 1 - 4. I know I am clutching at straws but since all other bloods are fine and no amount of physio has helped my hands/feet/calves I do wonder if it is low T as I am also tired and have no libido. I will get my test done again in a few months to see if any change.

Anyway would love to hear if there is anyone else out there using it or tried it without success.

Thanks so much

Pollie

[Ju Ju]

I was prescribed testosterone privately. Testosterone is not licensed in the uk for women, so it is not likely you will be able to get it on the NHS. My initial appointment cost £ 180 and the follow up £140, then yearly appointments at £140. The testosterone was a gel in a pump that was easy to apply accurately. The pump cost £50 and lasted a while. The clinic also did implants, but this was not appropriate for me. The gynaecologist said it would be too strong and I might become rampant. Secretly I thought that might be a pleasant change! Sadly, I didn't find it helped me and I had to stop as I developed nasty acne like blemishes on my face, which have yet to subside completely. But I don't regret trying, particularly as you have to take HRT alongside. Oestrogen has made a big difference to my energy levels, but not libido. ( Cfs was being considered.)

[Chi chi]

I use testosterone gel (Testim) I get mine through prof Studd. I've found it's helped massively with my libido, I'm on Oestrogel also but don't think the increased libido is due to that. I've not had any negative side effects from it such as spots, deeper voice, hairiness etc.
My level when first prescribed it was <0.4 the range was/is 0-1.8.
Can't say it's really helped with energy levels or general aches and pains as I still have these 
 

[Meeka]

I was prescribed testosterone privately. Testosterone is not licensed in the uk for women, so it is not likely you will be able to get it on the NHS. My initial appointment cost £ 180 and the follow up £140, then yearly appointments at £140. The testosterone was a gel in a pump that was easy to apply accurately. The pump cost £50 and lasted a while. The clinic also did implants, but this was not appropriate for me. The gynaecologist said it would be too strong and I might become rampant. Secretly I thought that might be a pleasant change! Sadly, I didn't find it helped me and I had to stop as I developed nasty acne like blemishes on my face, which have yet to subside completely. But I don't regret trying, particularly as you have to take HRT alongside. Oestrogen has made a big difference to my energy levels, but not libido. ( Cfs was being considered.)

I wonder what dose you were taking that caused the acne Ju Ju......I would like to avoid this

I have the testim gel..I like the tube because I can use a little and its easy to re-seal.  I don't notice much improvement in my libido to be honest but I have been under stress just lately and that doesn't help .

I started using it again because my gynea said it would be good for my bones and 'my bits'.   I am particularly  interested in the bone benefits. I do feel I have a bit more energy.

My gynea prescribed it but I went to my GP and he did give me a prescription for it......if the GP hadn't given me the testim then I would of had to pay the private prescription fee.   I guess the GP was happy to give me the prescription because my Gynea had prescribed it.   In the past he said it wasn't available to women on the NHS but I thought I would try again.

[dazned]

I think it's because it's not licsenced for women that's usually why you need a private prescription ,my private gyne refused point blank for this reason.

[Mary G]

Professor Studd prescribed it for me but I am in two minds as to whether it works.  I took the prescribed pea size bead originally but blood tests revealed it was very high so now I take less.  I have never had any adverse side effects from it so I carry on taking it.  It is quite difficult to get hold of and I don't think you can buy it online.  I would say give it a try and see how you react to it. 

[Hurdity]

Hi Pollie

Not sure if you need any more from me but can't remember how much I said on the thread so will just add a few things so that it's in one place:

NHS - no, private. My practice said they wouldn't consider T.

With uterus

Private consultation Annie Evans cost £180 I think, for 45 mins. Haven't yet had follow up as I only went for T but it costs  much less (?95) and you get 20 mins.

The prescription (1 box of 30 tubes of Testogel) cost £34.50 and I've only used half of it ( since early May).

You can get a follow up prescription from her I think just be phoning - you don't need another consultation, so I understood. Not sure if I have to pay to get the prescription but obvs will have to go to Bristol to get it filled there if so.

She has written a letter to my GP so when I am near the end of my tubes, I will make an appt and try and get it from my surgery, quoting the NICE Guidelines and her letter. If they don't play ball I will phone Bristol for another prescription.
(However as an aside as she is an endocrinologist I may decide to make a follow up appt in the new year, and will ask her opinion about thyroid issues for women within normal range but increasing TSH  my GP dismissed this as cause of my continuing tiredness).

She does not believe in testing because as she points out the range of values for T is for men so we are at the lower limit anyway so the sensitivity of the test is not high enough to be meaningful. She goes on symptoms only.

I use a pea-sized blob. I would like to increase a little but don't want to risk getting side effects which I am not getting atm.

Hurdity x

[ellie66]

Hurdity,

I have increased to 1 1/2 pea sized squirts. It definitely helps with my energy levels and I have zero side effects.

[honorsmum]

Hurdity - when I saw Annie Evans in Bristol, she prescribed Sandrina but it was out of stock in the pharmacy there. They were happy to send it at no extra cost, so I'm assuming they would do the same for your repeat prescription.

[Hurdity]

Thanks ellie66 I'm still reluctant to increase - although I think I've gone from "petit-pois" she originally suggested, to a proper pea!

jedigril - in the case of testosterone because it is not licensed the local GP practice may refuse to prescribe it - not sure if they (at the Bristol clinic) would give me a prescription and send it without my having to visit again though!! It wasn't put on repeat as such, so I think I just phone up and ask. It's over 60 miles away so it's worth asking when the time comes!

Hurdity x

[Pollie]

Thanks so much for everyone's response

It's seems that unless you have had ovaries/uterus removed, that Testosterone on NHS is a no no and even some private Gynes refuse it.

Fees for consultation £140-£180 or £195-£230 in my area Surrey.

Gel - £35-£50

It seems that not many doctors test levels in blood. There are separate ranges for women but I accept that the sensitivity of the test may not be good. I am aware that 'Free Testosterone' can be measured which is a more useful indicator of low levels.

The more I read the more I learn that even tiny amounts of T can be good for muscle and bone. Osteoporosis runs in my family and I have such stiff muscles I may will give this a shot in the new year.

Pollie

[zigangie]

Hi ladies,
I've found testosterone to be very good for increasing my libido.
It's probably very "naughty" but I buy it from Hormone Solutions in Australia. The only country that have a testosterone cream especial for women.
It costs around £60. You do not need a prescription. It does say in the instructions you need to get your blood tested. But I understand a lot of private gynocologists don't worry about blood tests and only go by symptoms.
I use 1 ml measured with a little syringe. This amount is said to put you in the upper amount in your blood.
I also use oestrogel 2 pumps and utrogestan 200mg 12 days resulting in a fairly normal 7 to 8 day bleed.
I've been on the testosterone 8 weeks and started the oestrogel two weeks later which helped with dryness and feeling too hot.
Sex life has returned to like it was early 40s.
I'm 53 periods stopped 2 years ago.
Had serious depression since about 43 years old. I've just had the best Christmas in 10 years!
Not feeling so horribly hot all the time some aches and pains gone and much calmer now.
Good luck to you all.

[Pollie]

I am tempted by this.

I intend to have my 'free testosterone' levels checked privately.

Ladies in the UK with private prescriptions - how much do you estimate you are dosing daily ??

Bearing in mind each 5 g Testogel sachet contains 50 mg testosterone, therefore one fifth sachet is 10mg testosterone.

Thanks for all comments

Pollie

[Hurdity]

I was told to make mine last about 10 days using a petit-pois sized blob, but I've graudated to proper pois size and it still lasts about 2 weeks. I am loath to use more because I don't want to upset the balance of oestrogen vs testosterone - which is what happens to women in menopause who are not on HRT. From what I've read, in post-menopause the drastic reduction in oestrogen (and the only gradual decrease in testosterone) give rise to the more male characteristics of apple shape body, hair thinning, and hair growth in the wrong places, (and possibly a slightly deeper voice?). Replacing oestrogen helps to reverse some of this, and while adding testosterone should help with symptoms due to low T, if the balance is upset then I feel some of the undesirable effects of high T in relation to O might become more apparent. This is conjecture on my part! From what I remember I think some T is converted to O anyway so it's all very complex.

It's very different for those who are not even peri-menopausal eg those who take it ( along with oestrogen) for PMS eg in the late reproductive stage where dips in mood etc due to bigger hormone surges and dips may occur.

That's a long answer - but it's not that straightforward and the dosage cannot be applicable to women at all reproductive stages but there is precious little research on this!

Hurdity x

[Pollie]

Hurdity - It is a very fine balance it seems - my understanding is that

a) receptors need to be primed with oestrogen first before testosterone is effective

b) if you are low on oestrogen some testosterone will be converted in to oestrogen (this may be same thing as a!)

c) as oestrogen levels rise so does SHBG - SHGB binds to testosterone to make them ineffective, it is only the excess (free) testosterone which is then useful

The Australian Androfem leaflet suggests 1ml which would be 10mg testosterone a day.

So - I plan to have my Free Testosterone levels measured, then trial Androfem for 4 weeks. Get my levels re-tested and see how I feel.

I am struggling with extreme tiredness/lethargy and such sore stiff muscles that to be honest libido is the least of my problems. I will be able to tell quite easily if it is helpful or not and my main aim is to improve my muscles enough that I can enjoy a walk in the sunshine again.

I will update this thread in a few months !

pollie