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[nicky_boo]

I started with this title to get some attention and hear from people who may be in a similar situation to me.

I am 51. I got Testosterone added to my HRT regime nearly 2 years ago. It took around 4-6 weeks for me to notice positive effects and I LOVED it! I had a renewed energy, zest and hunger for life (and food!), better sleep, mental clarity, great libido, happy young me again.

Initially I got a little hairier around the area I applied it, but that was it. I gained around 4-5 kilos in a year, not too bad, I was happy and positive, mentally light. But the issue was, I think I mentioned it here before, I started to grow facial hair within a year.

My blood tests showed high T, we reduced the dosage. However, this really impacted my mood - got moody and depressed.

We increased the dosage a little bit, changed from Tostran to Testogel due to stock issues. I got hairier and I started electrolysis to deal with my chin, jaw hair as I didn't want to stop Testosterone.

However, thick hair kept coming alongside acne on my chin. I had started using collagen and a vitamin supplement with biotin. Blood test results showed rocket high T (19!!!). I read in this forum that biotin supplements can effect T test results - not sure they can affect the actual absorption of T though. Anyway, doctor panicked and asked me to stop it altogether for 4 weeks at the start of this month. I stopped gladly as facial hair, itchiness around the neck and jaw and paranoia that more hair will appear had got me down.

I stopped it for nearly 3 weeks ago. Insomnia is back with a vengeance. I am worried about suffering from very low mood again.

Has anyone else stopped T? Did you have withdrawal symptoms? The issue is I cannot do with it or without it at the moment. Very small changes have huge impact on me.

Keen to hear others' experiences.

[CLKD]

I had started using collagen and a vitamin supplement with biotin..  why ?

If you think of lads in their teens they suffer with acne.  ?? due to Testosterone boosts ??

Remind me: why did you being T anyway?  My GP told me that it would lower my voice 

[nicky_boo]

Hi CLKD,

I decided to use collagen to increase skin elasticity. I also stated to take a women's multivitamin which was great. I didn't even have a cold whilst on it. It had Biotin (B7) in it alongside other good stuff. These have nothing to do with peri-menopause. I always used supplements even when I was much younger.

I started to use Testosterone because HRT alone didn't help with my mood and sleep issues and I had zero libido.

HRT experts talk as if T is a game changer and it was for me to an extent but side effects are hard to deal with. It is so difficult to get the right dose - there are no measures. Guess work, such as a pea size blob etc... Most people seem to be fine on it but surely, there must be others like me?

Regards,
Nicky_boo

[Banjo1973]

Hi Nickyboo,

So sorry to hear you've gone through that..
Can I ask, what dosage were you on?

I'm on Tostran (I'm 50, w years on hrt, 1 year on testosterone) and was advised to take 1 pump every 2 days. The first day I took it, I felt so wired I knew the dose was way too strong for me. I take significantly less than half a pump per day. If I take too much I get a couple of spots.

I've never grown hair on my face from it. But then again I didn't get my libido back either!!

Do you think you could just half your dose?

[nicky_boo]

Thanks Banjo1973.

I tried many ways of taking Tostran. 5 days a week of half a pump with 2 days off worked best but it is difficult to know how much is half pump so probably overdosed a bit. Blood test results showed high T. I tried 3 half pumps per week, low mood kicked in within 4 weeks and stayed. Upped it to 3 full pumps before moving to Testogel - finish a sachet in 10 days regime (usual dose is finish it in 8 days, so slightly lower dose).

I don't notice when I take too much. It feels good, perhaps I become a little more bossy but I am bossy anyway.

Did you notice any benefits yourself?

Also, I would like to remind you, I didn't have any facial hair problems within the first year. It started 17-18 months after starting to take it.

[CLKD]

I wonder whether there is any Research regarding taking collagen supplements?  I understood that Oestrogen is the bodies elasticity which drops off as we age.  Hence bat wing arms etc..

[Banjo1973]

Hi Nicky

Yes, I've had loads of benefits from it.

Better brain function

Mentally more resilient.

Physical strength increases.

Better orgasms.

Negatives are BO, greasy hair and spots.

In my opinion, I think T is like oestrogen in that some people work well on 1pump, some need 5 pumps.

Maybe as you're peri, your T was massively fluctuating?

I stick with Tostran because I like a pump. I take a small blob every day and adjust it according to how I feel and look.

Could your issues possibly be related to insulin?

[nicky_boo]

Sounds great Banjo. Do you have regular blood tests? If so, may I ask what your levels are?

I don't think I have an insulin problem as I was checked for diabetes last year.

[Banjo1973]

Sorry, I've only had T levels checked before I was prescribed...

Serum testosterone. 0.9

Serum sex hormne binding glob 138.5

 Free androgen index 0.6 

I don't know if that is of any use to you.

I did read somewhere that T is best taken daily (as opposed to say 3 times per week)

I'm sorry I'm not being much help, it just sounds like your dose was too high. If I had high libido and other benefits I would be keen to take a higher dose. But bad skin kind of signaled to me that I was probably taking a bit too much so dialed it back.

I do think this whole HRT malarkey is guess work and constant tweaking - especially in peri when we're producing our own erratic hormones.

I really hope you find an answer xx

[nicky_boo]

Thanks Banjo1973 xx
My GP only gives me one number on T levels. I will ask for for my other readings as I will be tested again soon.