Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: LisaBenno on October 07, 2021, 07:21:45 PM
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Hi can any of you lovely ladies help me with these results from my recent blood tests please?
Testosterone - <0.5 nmol/L
SHBG - 42 nmol/L
Androstenedione 1.1 nmol/L
My gynaecologist tells me that they are normal, so why do I feel like I’m going mad, forget what I am saying mid sentence, have to write everything down or I will forget it and have zero libido?! 😞
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Peri-menopause?
When was your last period etc.? Some find it helpful to keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress. Which symptom would U like to ease first?
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Apologies, I had an Oophorectomy (still have uterus) 8 years ago and am now on utrogestan and estrogel. I have struggled for a long time with lack of libido and brain fog.
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Are you taking testosterone? This is an important hormone for those of us who had their ovaries removed. Particularly helpful with brain fog and energy. I would try that.
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Hi Gnatty, no I am not unfortunately, I have been battling to get testosterone for years now without success ☹️
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Hi LisaBenno, sorry to know you've had trouble getting Testosterone prescribed & as another without ovaries I can testify to the value of replacement. Just off out the door so can't write much now though will try to add to this later if no-one's answered your question by then. Imagine you may have seen these links before if you've been trying for some time to get T prescribed, but just hoping they might be helpful if you haven't seen them. The relevant section in NICE guidelines is 14.8 I believe.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations
https://thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians/testosterone-replacement-in-menopause/
https://bjgp.org/content/70/693/203
You may also like to have a look at a recent thread called Question for those taking testosterone - I posted a couple of Newson Health podcast links there.
The lab that does my bloods gives the ref range for testosterone as 0.10-1.42 nmol/L which doesn't help you if we don't know how much below 0.5 yours is. Never had SHBG or Androstenedione tested I'm afraid. Do you know the ref ranges for your tests?
The following shows how to calculate your Free Androgen Index if that's of any use:-
https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/services-we-offer/pathology/tests-and-investigations/free-androgen-index-fai/
If your gynae isn't a meno specialist could you maybe ask for a referral to a Menopause clinic?
Sorry, none of this answers your question, but I feel for you & kinda hope the more info you're armed with the more likely you'll be to get help with it.
Wx
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I think that a Consultant has to recommend your GP 2 prescribe testosterone ?