Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Muriel on December 17, 2012, 10:48:52 AM
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Hi Ladies, I'm currently taking Angeliq with a third of a sachet of testogel daily and having really good results! :)
The only problem is that my GP will not prescribe Testogel as it's only available on the NHS for men in the UK nor will he do the necessary blood tests.
I would love to hear from any other ladies who use Testogel, how do you get your repeat prescriptions and blood tests?
I see a gynae privately at the moment but my insurance will not continue to cover me if it's just to obtain repeat scripts!
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Hi Muriel
I started using Testogel a couple of months ago. I had to pay for private specialist to prescribe it.
GPs CAN prescribe it off licence but WON'T as they are very wary of it for some reason.
I tried to explain to my GP that since I have had my ovaries removed then I have lost 50% of my testosterone and it needs replacing but she just wasn't interested.
I don't get my levels checked as most assays for testosterone aren't sensitive enough at the low end of the spectrum to be accurate.
I have to say that a third of a sachet a day sounds like rather a lot. My specialist (who uses testogel herself) has advised that a sachet lasts 10 to 14 days.
If you aren't having any adverse effects on that dose fair enough but I do know several women who use it and only use a very small dose.
My box of gel should last just over a year and I will ask my specialist fir another private prescription when the time comes.
Xxx
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Hi Anne, thanks for your speedy reply :)
How big are your sachets? My sachets are only 50mg so I'm only using a tiny amount or so I thought! I'm sure gynae said it was the lowest dose.
I'm going for my first blood test tomorrow with my gynae just to make sure that the Testogel isn't giving me any adverse masculine tendencies :o
Apparently Testogel is presrcibed as matter of course in the US and France,typically we come up against old fashioned thinking in our NHS.
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Hi
My sachets are 50 mg as well.
I think as long as you haven't turned into an aggressive hairy monster then you should be ok!
My specialist also says that it takes 3 to 6 months to take full effect.
I'm still settling into a new dose of oestrogen gel so I'm still experiencing some symptoms therefore can't tell if the testosterone is working or not. Suppose time will tell.
Good luck with your appointment.x
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I'm coming up to 3 months taking Testogel and Angeliq and have to say since starting menopause I've never felt better :) ( I had some horrible experiences on the more widely prescribed HRT)
Possibly because my dosage is high compared to yours, there will be a reading in my blood test? But no hairy monster side effects yet!
Thanks again for your reply, I'll ask gynae to prescribe for 12 months.
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There are no good biochemistry tests for tester one in ladies so be aware of the results. I worked in biochem and it is an on going problem to produce a good test
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I work in Biochem as well Ann and we just don't do women's testosterone levels.
I think with testosterone replacement in us ladies we just have to be sensible with the amount used and go by how we feel.
My specialist is not a fan of testosterone implants or patches as she feels they deliver too high an amount and there's no control as to dosage.
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I do find this subject interesting although I've not actually asked my doc about it yet. I found this blog which suggests women need one-tenth of the dose for men http://doctorrynne.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/major-breakthrough-in-treating-female.html
Taz x
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Taz, thanks so much for posting that link,very interesting and more or less the same information given to me by my gynae, although I have just had a blood test today to test my levels :o
I did mention that I'd read about blood tests not being accurate but she said that if my levels were too high there would be a reading although sometimes it can take months or even a year to show.
As I say this Angeliq/Testogel combination really seems to suit me and long may it continue :) and libido seems to have increased as well ;)
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Muriel im on this as i have no ovaries, i use just a small pea size amount every other day. I was told to use quarter of sachet every day at one stage and my blood levels of test were too high. I dont like to use much as apparently it can affect cholesterol
ST x
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Thanks sweettooth, I also have cholesterol tests so will see what happens the next time.
Do you have Testogel prescribed privately or on the NHS?
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Muriel, i have it prescribed on NHS. Any good gynae should do this. You can also be prescribed a testosterone patch by your GP x
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Muriel, do you have to keep an eye on your cholesterol?
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Hi ladies,
After my specialist ruled out another testo implant (I'd ruled it out myself before I went to see her anyway) and ruled out testo patches (both due to NHS cut-backs) I was given a prescription for testogel. I have 50mg sachets and was told to use 1/4 of a sachet every day ("The size of a broad bean" were her exact words!!) :-\
Can't imagine being told a sachet lasts 10-14 days :o
She said the gel was 'sticky' - it isn't, it's really runny.
I'm having a nightmare trying to work out what 1/4 sachet looks like so I've found an old syringe (I used it to shove olive oil in my ears for wax a year ago... don't ask, lol :)) which goes up to 10ml and I'll just fill that up then add a teeny bit more (1/4 of a 50mg sachet being 12.5mg.... however, I simply can't be THAT accurate).
I'll see how that goes....(can't be any worse than what I'm doing at the moment - getting it all over the place).
Also now on Evorel100 patches, so hoping that the gel will help balance/boost my hormones (eventually).
Early days though....
Interesting comment about cholesterol as I'm on statins (that's never been mentioned to me in regard to testo).
x
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Muriel, i have it prescribed on NHS. Any good gynae should do this. You can also be prescribed a testosterone patch by your GP x
Sorry I've taken so long to reply. :'(
I see my gynae privately and have agreed to see her once a year for blood test and check up. She did write to my GP explaining the situation and giving him all the up to date reports on Testogel but he refuses to prescribe for me! He has written to me personally saying that as it's not prescribed on NHS he's unable/unwilling to be involved.
I'm in Surrey, perhaps the rules are different in other parts of the UK?
If it is, then once again is it a postcode lottery with our health,not to mention our pockets as it is very expensive to buy >:(
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Muriel, do you have to keep an eye on your cholesterol?
I do have cholesterol checked regularly,well once a year and it's normal.
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Hi ladies,
After my specialist ruled out another testo implant (I'd ruled it out myself before I went to see her anyway) and ruled out testo patches (both due to NHS cut-backs) I was given a prescription for testogel. I have 50mg sachets and was told to use 1/4 of a sachet every day ("The size of a broad bean" were her exact words!!) :-\
Can't imagine being told a sachet lasts 10-14 days :o
She said the gel was 'sticky' - it isn't, it's really runny.
I'm having a nightmare trying to work out what 1/4 sachet looks like so I've found an old syringe (I used it to shove olive oil in my ears for wax a year ago... don't ask, lol :)) which goes up to 10ml and I'll just fill that up then add a teeny bit more (1/4 of a 50mg sachet being 12.5mg.... however, I simply can't be THAT accurate).
I'll see how that goes....(can't be any worse than what I'm doing at the moment - getting it all over the place).
Also now on Evorel100 patches, so hoping that the gel will help balance/boost my hormones (eventually).
Early days though....
Interesting comment about cholesterol as I'm on statins (that's never been mentioned to me in regard to testo).
x
Panda, I've given up on trying to be accurate with the dose!
As I said before I'm on 1/3rd sachet a day, new sachet I probably will use slightly less and third day just slap on what ever is left! :)
Gynae did say I could try 1/2 tube twice a week but I found that after the second day the early morning sweats were coming back, so a daily dose works best for me.
I assume your specialist knows you're on statins?
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Hi ladies,
Interesting post. The doc at meno clinic told me in dec that when I go back to see ( next week) she will be discussing to include testosterone in my Hrt.
I have early meno and I am 35 and have had one of my ovaries removed when I was 15. So, I often thought that it may be a contributing factor.
Anyway, reading your posts I am worried that my gp will not prescribe it.
I definitely don't want patch or implant, but would like gel instead and started to look forward to the thought that It may improve libido, my energy and general sense of well being.
I used to have lots of hair on my legs and that ( too much info I know) but then the hair practically disappeared, may be that because testosterone levels dropped etc etc.
So I really want the gel and really afraid that gp won't prescribe. Can they do that if the hospital instructs them?
Suz x
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Hi Suz,
I think it's a bit of a postcode lottery to be honest. In my area they won't prescribe testo implant or patches any more, so gel is the only NHS option.
I have a box of 50mg testogel sachets and am using 1/4 of a sachet per day (measuring is hit & miss).
Been 2 months now and I don't feel any better (just have a few more chin hairs :o) but will persevere as I really have no other option.
I know the implant I had previously worked.... but only after a couple of months and it only lasted 2 months before I was back to square one.
Meno specialist told me the gel will work "quickly" but that's what she said about the implant (!)
I remain hopeful that if I carry on with 1/4 sachet a day it'll eventually work (fingers crossed!!)
When my testo implant DID actually work I felt fantastic ;D
Fingers crossed that you get a sympathetic GP (if you don't then ask to be referred to a specialist or a different gp).
x
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Hi Suz, I hope you can get Testogel on the NHS, as I say my GP refuses to prescribe for me so have to pay for it.
Panda, is your 1/4 sachet delivering the same dose as your previous implant? Maybe your dose needs adjusting? Just a thought. :)
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Hi Muriel,
The implant was 100mg (I think) but was meant to last 6 months.... however, it takes time to build up the levels and then it appears to fizzle out again quite quickly (or it did in my case).
I did think about adjusting the dose but was a bit worried as I'm on 1/4 sachet now (1.25mg) which seems quite high. It's also not the easiest thing to accurately measure (have tried a syringe but got most of the gel on the outside of it!)
I'm now concerned about the cholesterol bit (after reading this thread) as testo has never been mentioned when I've had bloods done and I've now been on statins a couple of years...and my last test was a bit high so they changed me from Simvastatin to Lipitor.
It seems such a difficult balancing act....
x
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Hi ladies, thanks for ur wishes.
I feel I need an extra boost so may be testo will do the trick. Kind of being reasonably young don't want to write off my desire entirely. At the same time bit worried about extra potential hair and acne but I guess will cross that bridge when I come to it.
I used to be extra hairy, legs like a wear wolf if not attended to, but in retrospect that was better than now: look like a plucked chicken (althoughi try and pretend that was my thorough epilady doing the trimming :D), but not that much leg hair...is a blessing, however willing to risk that too.
Funny, how when we have things we wish smg else, but when we lose those things we realise what we had!!!
Anyway, fingers crossed Tuesday is the day for the clinic...gp wants them to check the HRT as the stuff they prescribed hasn't worked and we had to change it to kliovance and I think they want me to be on a higher dose Hrt..so the worry is that they may say:u need a diff Hrt and we won't entertain testo until the other Hrt is sorted.
Anyway, time will tell...
Thank you ladies for all your support and understanding,
S x
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Hi Muriel and Panda,
Had my meno clinic today, and couldn't believe the dr remembered me!!!
Good thing or bad thing, but she even remembered what we talked about, I was soo elated. Anyway, she was so lovely and I was totally taken by her.
Cutting a long story short she put script for my gp for continuous testogel!
Kliovance so far working out ok, and fingers crossed it will be good. She even agreed that I may need a little extra oestrogen, and she was very open to my suggestion of topping up with estro gel.
I asked her to write in detail to my Gp! Just to help her out, as she is not confident in experimenting, so after my bloodtest results she is gng to write to my gp!!!!!
Thanks ladies for your support.
Suz xx
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Excellent news Suz :)
Thrilled for you :ola: x
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Great news Suz
Taz :foryou:
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Hey Suz that's fantastic and I wonder where this clinic is?! Is it an NHS clinic? It's a pity that treatment is so variable in different areas as I am sure I would benefit from some....
Would love to hear how it goes.
Hurdity x
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I think that Suz will have been prescribed it more easily because she is only 35 and she is replacing what she should naturally be making at her age?
Taz x
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great news suz, have you had a hysterectomy? you definitely need replacement hormones at your age :)
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Suz, what good news for you!
Personally I think Testogel was the missing part of my HRT because so far ( fingers crossed) I've not had any serious problems :D and even better, all my old problems have disappeared.
Testosterone is regularly prescribed with HRT in Europe and in the USA.
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Thanks Ladies.
Yes, I am 35 and not had hysterectomy but only had 1 ovary since my other1 was removed at age 15.
So, I guess I managed to have 2 kids with just 1 ovary and the other 1 now prob tired. :-\
I am in London at Queen charlottes hospital, but she had a little tube for demo, so may be I am not the only one they prescribe to.
She prob remembers me because I was a wreck at my last apnt and then near attacked (joking of course) a receptionist who decided she wasn't going to give me an apnt as directed by dr.
Xxx
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Suz - sorry to hear you are going through this at a young age but so pleased to hear you managed to have two children in spite of problems with ovaries - glad you are now getting the treatment you need and hope it works for you.
Muriel - I keep thinking about all of this - (the testosterone idea) - and I think I have spoken to you on here about HRT before when I was a member last year? I was just wondering how far post-meno you are and how old (if you don't mind my asking) as interesting to see if a gynae would prescribe to someone of my age (59) and 4 years or more post-meno, because my GP practice isn't interested either?
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity.
I'm 55 and 4 years post meno, if you remember I had a terrible time on Tridestra and the other regular HRT's. Looking back I'm surprised I kept my sanity!! :'(
Unfortunately GP's don't have a lot of time or interest in HRT ( in my experience) and will just prescribe one you haven't tried before, it's all very random.
I see my gynae privately and as I've said will now have to pay for Testogel but for me it's worth it!
However it's very frustrating that something that has been proven to work and can relieve the horrible symptoms of menopause still isn't available to every woman on the NHS :(
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An NHS gynae should prescribe this. Muriel could your private gynae not write to your doctor to prescribe this? shame you have to pay for it!
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Yes my gynae did sweettooth and my doctor sent me a very polite letter saying why he wouldn't!! >:(
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For those ladies using Testosterone Gel, any idea what the daily dose equates to ie in mg? Just interested to know.
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If you use the whole tube then
5 g of gel (i.e. 50 mg of testosterone)
according to http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/12391/SPC/Testogel
Cheers!
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Thanx for that SD but from what I gather one spreads a tube out over how many days? Just trying to work out what the daily intake of Testosterone would be?
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Just read back on one of the previous posters, think it was Panda Bear saying that she uses a quarter sachet a day which equates to approx 12.5mg daily? Sorry ladies I plugged accounting at school lol
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Cassie,
I have to take 1/4 of a sachet a day (which I don't think is enough for me so I intend to try 1/3 sachet per day)...which is 1.25g of gel, or 12.5 mg testo. x
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Thanks so much, Panda, so I guess that the dosage is really much like HRT, very much dependant on symptom relief, have heard that the gel takes a while to kick in, am quite keen to try though as my Gynae said that he would give me a script. Please keep us posted as to whether increasing to one third of a sachet per day makes you feel any better, am holding thumbs, I just want some libido back, I am afraid, that I am really lacking in that dept badly so :( Just could not be bothered! Eab whose Doc recommended the sachet lasting between 10 and 14 days is obviously then on a much lower dose, how is that working for your Doc, did she perhaps say how she is feeling on it, just interested to know. x
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Unfortunately, libido isn't as cut & dried as upping the old hormones. Chronic/acute pain can put you off doing anything remotely 'fun' :bed:, as can tiredness (up all night with flushes :hotflash:), low self-esteem ( where did all that belly flab come from?!) relationship woes (men don't have a clue what we're going through) or a combination of everything... :sigh:
I know my hormones are far from where they should be (possibly affected by thyroid woes - am being tested) so there's lots of 'other' stuff that can make a big difference. Maybe I can get some Thyroxine in me and that'll help make the testogel / Evorel 100s work better without me having to change dosage?! Or maybe not... It's all very hit & miss and unfortunately Rome wasn't built in a day....
xx
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When I first started testogel I was told to use about a 5th of a 5g sachet but it was far too much (for me). I currently use about a "pea sized" amount but even that isn't every day - not exactly good dosing practise, but hey, ho - if it works ::)
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Just goes to show how different we all are and how much of it is trial & error.
I guess it'll also depend on whether you've had a full hyster, when you had it done and your age etc etc....
I'm 50, had hyster Jan 2008 (ovaries taken out later but weren't functioning from 2008), and was therefore very depleted for several years before I finally got a testo implant last May.
Just hoping that I'll eventually manage to get the gel to work (been on it since the beginning of Jan 2013) and actually feel a bit more human again...
xx
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Hi Cassie,
I haven't got my prescription yet, but dr at clinic told me to use 1tube to last 10days.
She said if lasting longer u r not using enough. So, I kind of summed it up to be a pea size.
SUz x
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Agree Ladies,it is all very trial and error ::)
My gynae prescribed 1/3rd sachet each day and that's what I've been using,along with Angeliq, seems to work for me.
I still have the occasional black moods and a bit weepy but nowhere near as bad as I was before the tesogel. I think whatever hormones we have left in our bodies :'( still fluctuate but the HRT is a set dose so that would account for off days.
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Just been back to my meno specialist to tell her the testogel isn't really helping (after 4 months) so she's now raised my dose from 1/4 of a 50mg sachet per day to 1/3 of a 50mg sachet per day :o
Still got Evorel 100 patches (she saw no reason to change those).
Got to go back in 5 months for a follow-up appointment.
I also discussed the issue with her about how hard it is to judge an accurate dose and she said the best option is to decant the gel into a small glass jar with a lid (and label it!!) and then use a syringe to measure the right amount (something I'd toyed with but wasn't sure I should do). She said I could even empty several sachets into a jar as it should 'keep' for a while, but I shall stick to one at a time for the moment.
1/4 was 12.5mg and 1/3 will be 16.66mg (quite a jump in daily dosage).
Will see how it goes...........
xx
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Argh I have given up on the Testosterone gel, it did nothing for me, I saw excellent results with the Oestrogel so was hoping for the same thing....I find if I drink enough white wine it has the same effect lol!
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hi there
ive been on testogel for 3 months and my blood tetsts just came back as the same as when i started! 0.3 testosterone.. still no increase in energy or sex drive etc..
annie evans private meno clinic put me on it...told like some others here to make one 50g sachet lats 10 to 14 days...been making it last 14 days so will try a bit more and make it last 10 days....
that would be how much testosterone a day? do you think i shouold use more like some others on here?
i still have womb but am on hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficency and that lowers testosterone..
also on sandrena and uetrogestan and thyroid meds so have complex health issues which all need balancing..
fliss x
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Hi peeps
Don't forget that your body will first of all address any oestrogen deficiency you have - it will take the testosterone you are putting into it and convert it to oestrogen if it feels that is appropriate - unless your E2 level is what your body deems is adequate it is pointless adding in testosterone.
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Soupdragon that is one of the best pieces of advice iv seen on MM! I must do that myself. Someone else had said she was told to get the estrogen right first and now i know why :) tks