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[duffed]

I've been taking Tostran gel for the past year or so, along with 300mg utrogestan and evorel 75 patch

My recent blood test came back with Free Androgen index of 26.4% (Serum testosterone 9.5 nmol/L and SSHB 36), which is a huge leap from a testosterone level of 1.2 nmol/L In July 2024. I know my hormones were tested again in March and August this year, but I don't have the results for these - only that the march one was described as unremarkable in a letter.

 is Tostran gel alone enough to do this, or does this mean I likely have an underlying condition? I've been using 1 pump every other day, probably 3 times a week generally. I've not seen anyone else with such a high FAI so wondering whats going on.

I've got a doctors appointment booked to discuss the results, and assuming I have to stop using the gel.

I have primary ovarian insufficiency, and know I have adenomyosis if that's relevant.

[bombsh3ll]

Do you have any clinical signs of overtreatment with testosterone?

In the first instance when a blood test is grossly abnormal like this without explanation or clinical correlation, the best thing to do is repeat it.

Make sure you do not apply testosterone gel the morning of the test, and that you have showered since last applying or handling it.

If you had normal results in march and august (which begs the question why are you testing it this often) then it is unlikely anything has changed so dramatically in that short space of time.

[duffed]

Thanks for your reply - I get my hormone profile tested frequently I think because I'm only 35, so have been under the consultant gynaecologist at the hospital, they test all my hormones each time I visit and they've been tweaking the hrt its only recently been handed over to the GP to prescribe instead, Its possible the last test from August was abnormal but I wasn't told about it I suppose.

My blood test was on a Friday morning just after the school run, and I had last used the gel on the Wednesday so I'm pretty sure there wasn't a contamination.

I don't feel like I'm showing any outward signs - I've got no new body hair growth, my hair has been falling out less than it used to, If I really stare in the mirror I have a very fine blonde moustache but my partner can't see it  (or he's just very wise!), and I think I've always had that. I've got sex drive and sensation - but that's the reason I'm taking it in the first place, as when I was prescribed it was because aged 33 I'd lost sensation and interest in sex. I've always had a pronounced voice box, but that's the only masculine feature I think I have. 

[duffed]

Had the Gp telephone appointment today (which they asked me to make), and it was absolutely useless.

They would not give any advice about if I should stop using it and just kept saying they didn't think they needed to do anything and that I should ask the specialist.

I was asking if its possible I have a health problem causing the elevated levels, as they seem so much higher than other menopausal women using Testosterone, but he didn't seem to think that query was anything to do with him.

I'm now feeling quite stressed. The consultant is almost impossible to contact outside of appointments so it could be a few months before I get seen again, and in the mean time I'm meant to figure out by myself if I should keep taking it or not.