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[sweetie222]

How many of you use testosterone gel as part of your HRT? Did you use it from the beginning or incorporate it later and how has it helped your symptoms? Does it help with low mood?

Many thanks

[Hurdity]

Hi sweetie - there are lots of thread on this. Scroll back through the pages in this board and look for the ones with testosterone in the title. Also I started a thread in Private Lives "Testosterone here we go") which has some info ( goes off track sometimes!).

Quick answer to your Q - I started hRT at around 54 in late peri-menopause, but only started testosterone two years ago aged 62. I was getting extreme tiredness,  muscle aches especially after exercise, and no libido. It helped the muscle aches enormously though I am still extremely tired in the mornings ( I think this must be due to something else). Libido is not improved but response was completely restored through T. I've never suffered from low mood but Igather that low T is partly responsible. Important to get your oestrogen levels optimal first though - as this also contributes to mood and you don't want to take too much T relative to oestrogen due to androgenic side effects
.
Hurdity x

[peri]

Hi Sweetie

I've been using testim for just over a couple of weeks now with good results.  The first thing I noticed (the first day really) was improvement in mood and energy.  I hadn't suffered with low mood since going on hrt (only pre-hrt when I became peri menopausal).  I currently in good mood all the time - more like my old self.

The second thing I've noticed is much less aches and pains.  For example, I have rsi in my wrists due to typing for years and that's 90% better.  The same with my shoulder, I've been under a physio and a chiropractor to sort out this issue and suddenly that's so much better too.

Hope this helps x

[sweetie222]

Thank you Hurdity, will have a search through the threads. I appreciate hearing about your exoeriences thank you!!

Peri that is interesting feedback, may I ask what other HRT you are taking alongside Testim and after how long did you introduce Testim and why? Many thanks

[peri]

Hi Sweetie I'm on evorel 50 oestrogen and I have a mirena coil.  I've only just managed to add testim recently despite having an nhs prescription for over 2 years because I reacted to the testogel I was previously prescribed and mistakenly thought all testosterone was the same x

[sweetie222]

Thanks Peri!!

[Noheroicsplease]

My sister, a pharmacist, told me last night that there are sometimes problems getting testim.

I'm due to get testosterone from the doc. Would I be better getting testogel? What is the difference between them?

Thanks

[peri]

I wouldn't worry about that Noheroicsplease as they come in boxes of 30 tubes.  At the rate I'm using it - a petit pois sized blob per day - each tube is lasting me 2 1/2 weeks.  If I've done the math right one box will last me 18 months.  I have a preference for testim but only because I reacted to testogel.  I haven't heard of anyone else on here having that problem, so chances are you'll be ok with either x

[Hurdity]

As peri says they both contain the same concentration of testosterone - there is just a difference in the inert substances the T is mixed with so it shouldn't make a difference hopefully! I have never used testim though - only testogel and as peri says a box lasts absolutely ages! That is one advantage of there not being a licensed preparation for women as we are given a month's supply for a man ( I think they can use a sachet a day - just as we can use a sachet a day of sandrena gel).

Hurdity x

[sweetie222]

So how does tge testosterone help? What symptoms improve?

[Blakeygray]

I'm using testogel with Tibolone.
Tibolone stopped the night sweats,  hot flushes, helped with my depression.

Testosterone bought my libido and all things related back, got rid of aching joints, nice thick hair again and lots of energy.

[grumpyjane]

Hi Sweetie. I've been using Testim for 6 months now,  after a year on HRT. I have to say I have noticed hardly any difference at all, possibly a slight improvement in energy. My mood is terrible, not exactly low, but just irritable and angry all the time. I'm thinking there may be other factors causing this  I mainly wanted it for lack of libido, but sadly it hasn't helped me. I hope you have a better experience! J x

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear it hasn't worked for you grumpyjane.  Has it improved your response at all and how much do you take in comparison with oestrogen?

Hurdity x