Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Sarai on March 20, 2020, 06:48:41 PM
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I recently found a friend of 60 has managed to get back on her HRT and testosterone shes had since 48, after moving areas.
I then realised I had never ever at 58 had my levels tested. I knew it played a part in bones and as I have osteoporosis and on low dose HRT I decided to ask for a blood test.
The GP however agreed they will follow NICE guidelines on prescribing and would contact a gynae for help but that I may should be allowed it without a blood test.
Is this common, I was shocked but really hope it can help my bones along with other little things long since forgotten, lol
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I had a blood test but they also asked for guidance from an nhs gynae x
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I had a blood test but they also asked for guidance from an nhs gynae x
Did you end up getting it that route?
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Yes I did. But then I moved town and the new gp refused to prescribe it and stopped ALL my hrt, I was in his office an hour arguing with him. He referred me to the hospital gynae and they were not happy about the rigmarole I was going through and reinstated it all for me. During that time I had a really nasty kidney infection because I'm sure I wasn't flhaving any vagifem x
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Hi Sarai
There is a long running thread about testosterone starting with my experience of being prescribed it here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27959.0.html
Blood tests are not needed - libido is the guide, and in particular sexual response. If this has gone or diminshed and you are not taking oral HRT or Anti Deps then it's a likely sign that T is low. Age is also a guide as it declines throughout life from its peak around ??35 maybe (sorry can't remember the age!). I didn't have a T test for the first 3 years and was prescribed it as a result of symptoms. My GP has now done a couple of tests as once you start replacement you want to make sure T remains within range for women, but SHBG (Google is your friend) needs measuring too.
I don't know about its effect on bones - it's not normally prescribed for this purpose as far as I know :-\ . However if your doc says otherwise this is interesting?
Keep us posted!
Hurdity x
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#Hurdity , I got the testogel, it was easy because of the crisis all arranged online and she spoke to a gynae too the crisis. I was meant to have blood tests but we agreed safer not to bother right now. So I have 30 tubes which last 10 days she says so 300 days eek! What was the blood test you mentions SH something? Im hopeing for it to help bones as a side line but its more for the other stuff!!!
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Well done! SHBG is the test you need if you are having testosterone tested too as the T one tests total T, so if you have SHBG done you can work out Female Androgen Index. Also helpful to know whether Total T is within female range.
My Testogel sachets last at least a fortnight I would say.... (small pea-sized blob daily).
Hurdity x