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[Hot head]

Happy New Year. Can anyone shed some light on my predicament please?

I’ve  been on Testogel for 18 months initially prescribed at the hospital and my GP has prescribing it ever since. GP contacted me as a testosterone blood test was due, which I had done but say they won’t analyse the high results with me or give me any more and I need to go back to the specialist at the hospital. I’m not currently attending the women’s unit at the hospital so would need a referral again from the Dr which will be months.

My results are

Serum testosterone   7.4

Serum sex hormone binding glob  45

Free androgen index   16.4

Can you advise whether I should stop taking it immediately or do you think I could carry on while I try and sort this mess out please?

Thanks for reading 

[Dramy3]

Hey, what are the units for your results?

[bombsh3ll]

Wow that is high - are you taking it intravenously? 😉

I am not sure if that's a free or a total testosterone, or the lab's range - if you have these they would be helpful.

However the Free Androgen Index should be under 5. This is much easier to decipher as it is a ratio, no units.

That's Newson/Studd upper limit. (My own FAI is also just under 5). NHS would probably want it lower.

Do you have any symptoms of hyperandrogenism eg hair/skin/voice changes?

If you have no symptoms the first thing I would do is repeat the test to make sure result is genuine.

Testosterone blood test is meant to be done BEFORE taking any replacement on that day, and it is also really important to shower thoroughly first to avoid any skin contamination if using gel.

However that is super high and if genuine really does need specialist input around dosing if you plan to continue it.

[Hot head]

Hi thank you for your reply. My Gp has found the starting testosterone blood test results and they were in the middle of normal. Not sure why I was prescribed testogel if they were normal. He said as I’ve got a bit of excess hair growth then he thinks I should come off it. A bit of a shame as I think it had some benefits. He said I could always revisit the idea should I need to. Not sure how I feel tbh. 

[Hot head]

Also Dramy3 I’m not sure what you mean by units?

[bombsh3ll]

Some people can still benefit clinically from moving up from the middle of the NHS range into the top quartile of the more optimal range used by independent providers.

However if the excess hair growth is significant and that FAI of 16 is genuine, then you would need to work closely with a specialist to achieve and maintain an appropriate level.

Unfortunately this kind of individualised care is unlikely to be provided by the NHS.

Also if you are struggling to dose therapeutically with a testosterone product aimed at men, you may be better with Androfeme.

[Hot head]

Thank you for your reply. I have lots to consider