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[Sarai]

I recently found a friend of 60 has managed to get back on her HRT and testosterone shes had since 48, after moving areas.
I then realised I had never ever at 58 had my levels tested. I knew it played a part in bones and as I have osteoporosis and on low dose HRT I decided to ask for a blood test.
The GP however agreed they will follow NICE guidelines on prescribing and would contact a gynae for help but that I may should be allowed it without a blood test.
Is this common, I was shocked but really hope it can help my bones along with other little things long since forgotten, lol

[Annie0710]

I had a blood test but they also asked for guidance from an nhs gynae x

[Sarai]

I had a blood test but they also asked for guidance from an nhs gynae x

Did you end up getting it that route?

[Annie0710]

Yes I did.  But then I moved town and the new gp refused to prescribe it and stopped ALL my hrt, I was in his office an hour arguing with him.  He referred me to the hospital gynae and they were not happy about the rigmarole I was going through and reinstated it all for me.  During that time I had a really nasty kidney infection because I'm sure I wasn't flhaving any vagifem x

[Hurdity]

Hi Sarai

There is a long running thread about testosterone starting with my experience of being prescribed it here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27959.0.html

Blood tests are not needed - libido is the guide, and in particular sexual response. If this has gone or diminshed and you are not taking oral HRT or Anti Deps then it's a likely sign that T is low. Age is also a guide as it declines throughout life from its peak around ??35 maybe (sorry can't remember the age!). I didn't have a T test for the first 3 years and was prescribed it as a result of symptoms. My GP has now done a couple of tests as once you start replacement you want to make sure T remains within range for women, but SHBG (Google is your friend) needs measuring too.

I don't know about its effect on bones - it's not normally prescribed  for this purpose as far as I know  . However if your doc says otherwise this is interesting?

Keep us posted!

Hurdity x

[Sarai]

#Hurdity , I got the testogel, it was easy because of the crisis all arranged online and she spoke to a gynae too the crisis. I was meant to have blood tests but we agreed safer not to bother right now. So I have 30 tubes which last 10 days she says so 300 days eek! What was the blood test you mentions SH something? Im hopeing for it to help bones as a side line but its more for the other stuff!!!

[Hurdity]

Well done! SHBG is the test you need if you are having testosterone tested too  as the T one tests total T, so  if you have SHBG done you can work out Female Androgen Index. Also helpful to know whether Total T is within female range.

My Testogel sachets last at least a fortnight I would say.... (small pea-sized blob daily).

Hurdity x