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[Recreate23]

I saw one of the gps at my practice yesterday who said that he saw no need for a testosterone test as this was for men’s libido only! I have done some research and found that low levels of testosterone can cause anxiety and depression.  He recognised this so has prescribed sertraline anti depressant.  However I am concerned about his dismissal of the menopause specialist’s, a nurse at Newson Health, request for me to have a testosterone test.  Yet another GP prescribed HRT as specified by the same nurse. Has anyone else been able to get this test done by their GP? Low levels of testosterone could be the reason why I’ve been suffering from palpitations and worsening anxiety since March.

[Gnatty]

Testosterone blood tests are really unreliable at low ( women's ) levels. So you could get a level of 1 but you might be nearer 0.1 or 1.9! So the only reason really for testing is once you start to make sure your levels don't get silly high like 6 for example. So you should be able to trial testosterone and then just get a regular blood test to make sure levels look normal. No need for a starting blood test really, unless you have obvious androgenic symptoms eg very hairy in funny places.
Presumably though you are already taking hrt? Normally you need to get that sorted first and then add in testosterone if still having problems.

[bombsh3ll]

The NHS typically only test testosterone in women where high levels are suspected.

If Newson clinic want a blood level before treating you, which some providers do in order to make sure they aren't prescribing to someone who already has raised testosterone (however in reality this is as rare as rocking horse manure in the peri/meno population and frankly overkill in my opinion) then if you can't get it on the NHS somewhere like Medichecks or forthwith life will be able to help.

Super drug also do a testosterone service which may be cheaper.

I would also ask your GP to refer you to the local NHS menopause clinic for ongoing testosterone if they aren't willing to prescribe.

Antidepressants aren't a good treatment for hormone deficiencies, and can actually induce low libido and anorgasmia, so whilst you may have a bit of a hill to climb to get the treatment you want, there's no advantage to taking psychiatric medication unless you have a clinical indication for this.

[sheila99]

How is your libido? I don't think it's foolproof but is usually a pretty good indication that you T levels are low.

[August 66]

Hi. I saw my g.p for testosterone. I had to be referred to a menopause clinic as it has to be prescribed initially by a consultant  I had a 12 month wait. I was prescribed testagel with a blood test at the 3 month mark. Go back and ask for a referral

[Mariab]

Hi ladies.
I had to go private to get a testosterone test which was 0.6 after this the gp did give me the appropriate blood test every 3 months and although I got to 1.3 with androfeme, for me it did not help with anxiety at all  and just gave me overwhelming libido which was uncomfortable so had to discontinue..however we are all different and some women it works very well.

[Kathleen]

Hello Recreate 23 and welcome to the forum.


When I was with Newson Health they prescribed Androfeme and later arranged a blood test for testosterone to make sure that my levels weren't too high.

I stopped using testosterone and I am
now with a Nurse Practitioner at my GP surgery for HRT.  The nurse arranged for  a hormonal blood test which showed that I am in the normal range for women.

I hope this is helpful and take care.

K.

[Recreate23]

Thank you everyone for your replies.  Unfortunately I seem to be victimised by my gp practice and they are very very reluctant to support me.  After asking repeatedly for referral to a specialist, a receptionist called me today to say that my referral has been rejected with no explanation.  I now have no option but to speak directly with the practice manager about my experience with the support of an advocate.