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[Shamo]

Hi, long story short I am convinced I need testosterone for various reasons (on hrt gel and progesterone pill for last 4 months). I'm 49.

Spoke to private meno specialist 2 years ago who prescribed me testosterone but without blood test. I didn't want to  start without test so had one recently at gp, which came back with levels at "<.41"nmol/l.
 Gp had no idea what the "less than" symbol meant but calculated (using calculator?) that based on a result of.41 my levels are low and I would benefit from taking testosterone.  She even said it could be a typo and I had the test again, with the same result ! I have a photo of the result but can't figure out how to attach on here!!!

Does anyone out there know more about this result please ? I have the gel and ready to go but surely "<" could mean anything, and I'm loathe to pay £100 privately just for this info.

Thank you !

[Moonflower]

Hi Shamo

I think your results mean less than 0.41 nanomoles per litre.  The acceptable range is 0.4 to 2.  Mine came back as less than 0.5 (must've been less than 0.4) and I was told it was abnormal, i.e. very low and my GP said the gynae will be able to sort me out with a prescription.  I am currently on week 4 of taking it.  The symbol < definitely means less than.  Hope this is helpful.

[sheila99]

I agree with the above but I'm not sure it matters too much. If you have clear symptoms of low T I would try it anyway. I was prescribed on symptoms.
There seem to be quite a few things that can be 'within normal limits' according to the nhs but you still feel lousy.

[Shamo]

Thanks , I understand that the symbol is a less than sign, but wasn't sure why it was there ! So from what you are saying my levels are v low. Thank you.

[Kathleen]

Hello Shamo and welcome to the forum.

Due to an auto immune disease I have blood tests every six months. One of the tests doesn't give an exact number but records a < figure and a normal range is noted in brackets. I have always assumed that the testing method isn't accurate enough to be precis.  My test is for Inflammatory markers and the fact that my levels are lower than the usual range is a good thing so I don't need to know the exact number. It is possible that many labs work this way but I think that hospital labs are able to record an accurate figure.

I hope this helps you and take care.

K.

[VictoryV]

I’ve not had T tested either, was prescribed on symptoms only. I’m 49 too, I would not be without testosterone.

[Shamo]

Thank you all. I decided to just go for it this morning and applied the gel on my right lower abdomen. I put the oestrogel on my thighs in mornings so thought I should put it elsewhere. It was a teeny weeny blob. Anyone apply it anywhere else ? Also for those who are fairly new to taking it, how many weeks does it take to kick in ? I have absolutely no energy, no libido, bad mood, severe constipation etc etc etc . Feel like I am trudging through mud every day. I have actually just gone back to bed today as I feel so exhausted.  I'm hoping this will all pass in the coming weeks.