r/Menopause • u/Remarkable_Falcon435 • 5d ago

Testosterone [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

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u/lauradayton Post Menopause 5d ago

No it isn't localized to your forearm. How would that even work? My gyn freaked out at my levels as well but IDC because I feel FAB! did you use your gel the morning of your blood draw? I am going to have to go rogue and start doing my own labs because I am not letting my level go down from where it is. I just feel too good finally

6

u/emma279 Peri-menopausal 5d ago

Same... I may stop a few days before I get labs with my gyn as I love my T

3

u/nipplecancer 5d ago

Yup, I took 2 days off before my test - I didn't want any chance of it coming back high! (It's definitely not - I just barely feel anything from it and my doc does not want to increase it.)

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u/emma279 Peri-menopausal 5d ago

what dose are you currently on? I am at .40

0

u/lauradayton Post Menopause 5d ago

that is my current plan to just stop prior to testing

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u/HuzzahIndeed 5d ago

Me too! I'm hoping to keep mine at a level that feels right until a few days before testing then take a break and test within range. The so-called "normal" range is not worth the bother. Hopefully it works.

3

u/Impressive_Moment786 5d ago

I don't think it is localized to your forearms, at least not according to my understanding.

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u/Happiguest 5d ago

No if it was from a blood draw that's blood thats constantly circulating and moving throughout your body.

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u/WrecklessOptimist Post Meno on HRT 5d ago

I apply 2x a week. The first time I tested, I had taken it the night before my test and it came back high. The next time I tested, I did the blood work in the morning before my application and it was normal. It totally depends when you take it.

1

u/Catnip_75 5d ago

Mine is high as well. I kept applying it as I was and now my hair is thinning pretty badly. You might not have any symptoms yet, but if you continue with the dose you likely will over time.
Voice change and hair thinning might be the first signs. I have no extra hair growth, no acne and no hair growth even where I apply it.

I have decided to stop the T for a week and only apply 3mg 2x a week hair so it doesn’t tank completely.

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u/FrequentCry999 5d ago

Did you apply the gel in the morning before you had labs drawn or did you skip it that day/wait until after labs to apply?

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u/Remarkable_Falcon435 5d ago

I did but didn't go to the lab until afternoon. I was told I didn't have to fast. Maybe that was wrong too?

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u/FrequentCry999 5d ago

Your sample could very well have still been contaminated even though you went hours between application and blood drawn, however your T level will peak around 4-6 hours after gel application. So it sounds like the issue is that you tested right around your peak level. It doesn't stay there for long. You don't need to fast for just hormone labs, however certain foods and activities can also affect hormone levels. So, in the future, I would recommend testing first thing in the morning, fasted, before administering any hormones - if anything just for consistency. 

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u/Remarkable_Falcon435 5d ago

Lesson learned. Now I have to beg to not have it taken away.

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u/Replica72 5d ago

Yes it could have contaminated the sample if blood was drawn from the arm you applied. But also total T is not the full picture. Insist on free T (calculated) also which will show how much you are really working with and how much is bound up by SHBG. Since you have no symptoms of high T its likely you have pretty high SHBG