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[cocopop100]

I added testosterone gel to my HRT regime (estrogel and utrogestan) about seven weeks ago as my level was right on the lowest point of the optimal range. I felt a promising energising effect within the first couple of days and thought “finally, this is it”! I was taking a small pea-sized amount and my consultant thought it was prob too small so increased it slightly for a few weeks. I then began getting morning headaches that wouldn’t shift and also felt quite rubbish. Presumed the dose was too high so reduced back down to the small pea. However the headaches now continued on the reduced dose. After another week I stopped and the next morning woke up without a headache for the first time in weeks. My question is - does this mean I can’t tolerate testosterone and should give up? Or is there a chance things might get better if I persist with the headaches? Or has anyone experienced this but found testosterone worked for them in another form etc? Thank you

[CLKD]

Your body probably doesn't require testosterone.  Or mayB. not as often? 

[bombsh3ll]

If there was some benefit on the lower dose and the headaches only started after increasing, it may be worth having a break and then reintroducing a small dose.

It also sounds like you may be using a male product and if so the androfeme version may be gentler for you but isn't funded by the NHS

It really depends what you are hoping the testosterone will do for you.

As an alternative there is also DHEA which I take sublingually. This can be bought without prescription and converts into testosterone in the body. Because it is a pro-hormone the delivery is more slow and steady than a sudden large peak of testosterone which is seen with transdermal.

This might suit you better although my reasons for using DHEA are cost, access and safety data for use with a combined oral contraceptive pill.

[cocopop100]

Your body probably doesn't require testosterone.  Or mayB. not as often?

Thanks for replying. Yes maybe that’s it. Although my blood test showed I was right on the cusp of it being below optimal so that’s why my consultant / I thought it might help. It’s just a shame as I did feel better immediately.

[cocopop100]

If there was some benefit on the lower dose and the headaches only started after increasing, it may be worth having a break and then reintroducing a small dose.

It also sounds like you may be using a male product and if so the androfeme version may be gentler for you but isn't funded by the NHS

It really depends what you are hoping the testosterone will do for you.

As an alternative there is also DHEA which I take sublingually. This can be bought without prescription and converts into testosterone in the body. Because it is a pro-hormone the delivery is more slow and steady than a sudden large peak of testosterone which is seen with transdermal.

This might suit you better although my reasons for using DHEA are cost, access and safety data for use with a combined oral contraceptive pill.

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Yeah my consultant had mentioned Adrofemme but my understanding is it’s the same basic ingredient - it’s more the dosing that it’s easier with it?

Interesting to know you find DHEA helpful. I did try that but felt awful on it. Just another supplement / medication in the long list that I didn’t respond well to! It’s so tiresome!

Perhaps you’re right that I should take a break and give it another go with a smaller dose. I might give that a try. Thank you for your help!

[bombsh3ll]

Testosterone deficiency isn't usually diagnosed based on a blood test in women as there is no validated lower cut off and the blood tests used are not sensitive enough to be meaningful at very low levels - they were developed for males when nobody knew or cared that women even had testosterone.

They are good identifying a female with too high a level eg ruling out starting treatment in someone who has a high level anyway, or once on treatment making sure it is not too much, but cannot really tell you anything at the low end.

If someone is symptomatic it is worth treating but not just on the basis of a blood test.