Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Mindfulmoomins on March 31, 2018, 09:02:20 AM
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Hi,
Can anyone help me with my testosterone levels? I have tried reading some links in other threads but have to admit I'm struggling to make sense of things as the threads seem to be dealing with different measurements.
So my blood test result for testosterone was 1 nmol/L (0.5-2.6). I am on 4 pumps of Estrogel and utrogestan 7-10 days a month vaginally 100 mg (in consultation with and monitoring by NHS menopause clinic).
I get achey easily despite exercise and some yoga daily and my mood is ok (I take ad's) but I do miss the ease of well-being and sense of security I had before peri started. Libido is ok but sometimes low (never been a problem on ad's previously I so don't think it's them).
I did mention it to the NHS menopause clinic but they didn't say much. Shall I ask them again? I just feel like there is a missing piece to this hormonal jigsaw.
Xx
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Hi
When I first saw Prof Studd my testosterone level was 0.7 pmol, which he told me was 'very low.'
I am also on 4 pumps + 100mg of Utrogestan x 7 days a month.
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Hi Gypseyroselee,
Thank you so much. Did you get prescribed testosterone by Prof Studd and if so how much? Xx
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Hi, Testosterone is thought to help with low libido, “brain fogâ€, low mood and energy levels. All of those things dropped off a cliff for me about 6 months ago. I've recently been found to have low testosterone and am 6 days into starting a testosterone gel.
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Hi, Testosterone is thought to help with low libido, “brain fogâ€, low mood and energy levels. All of those things dropped off a cliff for me about 6 months ago. I've recently been found to have low testosterone and am 6 days into starting a testosterone gel.
I started testogel 6 months ago for the brain fog and low mood but the main problem was sudden energy crashes. It took about 5 months for me to feel back to normal. It wasn't a quick fix but it's transformed my life I hope you have the same success.
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Thank you Wilma and Stillsearching. I think I'm going to speak the clinic about it again. Really appreciate your responses. Xx
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Mindfulmoomins, I started Testogel on 12 January this year. It took a couple of months to notice any changes, but stamina, mood and libido have now improved. It helps build muscle strength too, which should help with your achiness. I would recommend trying it.
JP x
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Thanks Stillsearching and Joaniepat, that sounds encouraging. Gives me some hope!
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How much testogel do people take daily/weekly?
My consultant is writing to my GP to say I should have testosterone, but while my GP is very open to it, she doesn't have a clue about delivery - the letter my consultant sent doesn't have details.
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1 sachet of testogel lasts 7 - 10 days.
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I'm on Testim gel, and one tube (a day's dose for a man) should last 10 days, by applying a pea-sized blob daily. Testim is being discontinued imminently, though, but there are other similar products including one which is twice the strength which you apply every 2 days.
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Noheroicsplease, the printed label on my Testogel says one sachet should last 7 - 10 days. The prescriber at the menopause clinic told me to make one sachet last 10 - 14 days, aiming for 14. I don't know why the 14 days, perhaps it's age-related? (I'm 68.) It works at that dose for me.
JP x
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On another post I said that the testogel sachets have been discontinued and I have been given a testogel pump. I have put 2 pumps of gel into the syringe that I previously squeezed the sachet into. The sachet contained roughly 6 ml of gel, 2 pumps of the new strength is 3 ml.
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Testogel sachets contain 5g of gel which is 50mg of testosterone.
Testogel pump pack = One pump actuation delivers 1.25 g of gel containing 20.25 mg of testosterone. Two pumps gives you 40.5mg of testosterone.
So 2 pumps is roughly equivalent to a sachet.
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I also started using testosterone in January this year. I use testim. I've been rather cautious in my petit pois sized blobs. Too cautious I think - the first tube lasted 49 days ;)
Note to self: I need to buy some petit pois and recalibrate I think! ;D
Having said that I do feel slightly better .....
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Mindfulmoomins - not all gynaes will measure testosterone levels ecxept to make sure you are not getting too much once you start taking it. The same test is used for women as for men, and our levels are right at the lower end of the scale which apparently is therefore very inaccurate for women. I have been told it is more important to go by symptoms of which libido would be the most obvious. For example if your libido was fab and you had aches and pains (especially after exercise) and fatigue it could be well be something else (eg thyroid?). Definitely something to explore with your gynae. A very small pea-sized blob might make all the difference. I use testogel sachets ( until they run out!) but my pea-sized blob means a sachet lasts a fortnight I would say. Women who have had full hyster + ovary removal I think are often prescribed more as they don't have ovaries to make any T at all.
49 days roadrunner :o !!!!
It's very annoying that the lower strength T products are being discontinued - but as they are not licensed for women presumably the manufacturers are aiming towards ease of use for men?
Hurdity x
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On another post I said that the testogel sachets have been discontinued and I have been given a testogel pump. I have put 2 pumps of gel into the syringe that I previously squeezed the sachet into. The sachet contained roughly 6 ml of gel, 2 pumps of the new strength is 3 ml.
I have had an e-mail letter from the manufacturers and they confrim that the Testogel sachets will still be available but they recommende the pump ( but my query to them was assumed to be about men!). I think there are just temporary supply problems (we've heard this before haven't we!).
Hurdity x
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Hurdity,
Why do you think 2 doctors this week (a consultant and a former private GP) recommended Tostran? Why not testogel (si that the same as Testim)?
I have just looked a the sites and Testogel contains 16.2mg/g and Tostran is 20mg/1g of tesosterone. Not a wild difference, but more.
My sister (pharmacist) keeps telling me it makes no difference, you just adjust the quantity but it still strikes me as odd.