Baldrick - that sounds like a very unhelpful GP - if your symptoms return it may well be worth trying a different kind of HRT, not 'just living with it'!!!
I've not used sprays but from my experience with testosterone contaminating and putting everyone into a total panic before they realised it ... if you apply on your inner thigh and wash hands thoroughly afterwards (and for good measure wash your blood arm thoroughly too!) it's not so likely to be contaminating.
If you are applying at night, I was told by leading meno consultant the best time to do test is next morning - I think something to do with that being an average of uptake over c24 hours but I'm not sure.
Also, sometimes there are mistakes. My own tests were so crazy changing that the first couple of times he dismissed as must be a mistake.
So fwiw and if you can manage it I'd have another test you’re a million percent sure not contaminated (washed hands/ arm etc) and then you have a reference. If on 2 sprays consistently you still get symptoms and the advice is then not to go up on sprays, might be worth trying another method.
Just a thought - I've been told I have very unusual absorption issues (on patches) and discussed the different patterns and possibilities a lot while people tried to work out what going on ... but i've not heard of patches 'stopping being absorbed'. Doesn't mean it's not possible, but ... consultant specifically said he wasn't sure why patches helped me for a while and then didn't - but most likely down to they were good when on sensible doses but caused massive problems when pushed a lot higher. Anyway, just a long way of saying is there any chance you hadn't in fact stopped absorbing but were for example taking tests on day 3/4 instead of day 1 / not consistent, or needed a higher dose?
Can you get a referral to a menopause clinic (consultant)? The waiting lists are long but if your GP will co-operate it's worth getting into the system / on the way ...
HTH x