What is the optimal testosterone blood test value? I'm not real comfortable taking testosterone. My value without supplementing is in the normal range for a post menopausal woman not on hormones. My doctor believes it protects against breast cancer as well as for the bones and would like my value to be much higher and wants me to use testosterone. So I'd like feedback on what other doctors are telling you is a desirable range.

Mine is 69 w/ a range of 14-76 so I'm at the upper level. I do take a compounded T. I'm not sure what is optimal as my doctors haven't mentioned it (or if they have my meno brain hasn't retained it) but I did find this from the NIH.

Normal Results: (this doesn't specify pre or post but is simply normal)

• Male: 300 -1,000 ng/dL
• Female: 20 - 80 ng/dL

HTH

(((Sandy)))

I couldn't tell you what my numbers are but I am using topical testosterone to help with libido and energy.
I always know if I am using too much as I start feeling agitated and irritable.
I had my ovaries removed four years ago so my energy levels were way down before I started it. I felt a difference within a few days and I feel really good on it. I have loads of energy and interest in life and I feel much younger than my age (57)

You are lucky to have a doctor who is so modern and up with the times in his approach and what he says is right. So many women have trouble persuading their old fashioned doctors to give them testosterone! If your doctor wants you to use it then why don't you go for it! You won't regret it I am sure

janet c

i'm using testosterone in a compounded formula but it is a very small dose - one line a week. I feel fine with it and understand that overdose leads to irritability, spots and oily skin and hair.
Hope this helps
Louise

I was just reading what my doctor wrote. My doctor would like my level to be between 60-80. I'm 34. This is without supplementing. According to the sheet from the doctor at a value of 34 I should be having all these symtpoms that I don't think I have. But the main reason is for breast protection. I've tried using T. in drop form and within days I have break outs on my face, I become agitated easily and I don't feel feminine sexual energy it's more like I want to pick a fight with someone.

And this is with using half of the recommended dose. I will give it another go, maybe half every other day.

My doctor wanted me to take triple the dose that I am able to tolerate. Despite his directions to use daily, I find that I only need it 3 times weekly. I also use much less than the amount he prescribed. It certainly helps with energy, mood and libido.

I have yet to come up with a consistent regime for the T. When I start to get what I think are side effects, I back off and stop using it for a few weeks. I will try again, using half maybe 3x a week. Thanks for your input.

I believe my TT was 75 without supplementing. My dr wants me to get mine down. I have a family history of ovarian cancer & he says that most people that have ovarian cancer have high TT. He suggested I take saw palmetto to see if that would lower it but SP was too irritating to my bladder. I have been postmenopausal for approx 20+ years. I've read that as we get older our TT goes up as our estrogen goes down but don't know if that's true or not.

Susie- I believe our T levels do not go up as we get older. I think as our estrogen levels naturally reduce the testosterone we already have becomes more dominant.

I have found with Testosterone supplementation, that it is not like estrogen, where it has to be taken every day .
I understand that women's bodies hold on to testosterone longer and it doesn't clear from the body in the same way as it does in a man. This is certainly what I have found for myself.
What may start out as being a therapeutic dose can very quickly turn into an overdose if I don't stop when the warning signs begin.
I think each of us has to be the judge of how much makes us feel good, regardless of the dose prescribed by the doctor. We are all individuals and one size does not fit all. I have always supplemented mine when I feel I need it. I sometimes go for weeks without using it and I feel no different.

janet c

Ovarian cancer is my biggest concern with using hormones long term. There is no history in my family. I've had problems with fibroids since starting bio-identicals about 5 years ago. I think the sole reason was using progesterone continuously. I now cycle the P. But also I use DIM Plus. That is making a big difference with the fibroid problem. I read one article on line that said they seem to think it also has protective properties for the ovaries. My doctor does believe in DIM and has said other patients that use it have also seen their fibroid problems diminish. Maybe check out DIM and see what you think as far as something to protect your ovaries.

But what your doctor told you just gives me another reason why I don't want to use it. I would prefer to use vit. D for my bones and breast protection, my doctor's main reasons for wanting me to use T.

Mine was very low. I think it was 24-26 (range 20-76). In meno women the dose ranges from .05 - 2.0 dosed 2x a day. I am in peri and take Testosterone. It is wonderful stuff! Women NEED testosterone, too, but not much. In the doses that you doctor is giving you, you should experience minimal side effects. I have a bit more hair growth on my upper lip, but it is a small inconvenience compared to the wonderful benefits. Testosterone increases you sense of well-being, converts body fat to muscle, and etc. and etc. Since it is anabolic, it will build your bone and tissue, and restore your libido. It helps with joints, headaches. I read research as to why it stops urine leakage, too. It increases your energy level, too.


If you are low....use it. My doc says that if he could only give one hormone to women, it would be testosterone.

I'll PM you with one of my favorite articles, which is very readable. I don't think you want the research papers. Although they contain lots of information, they will take you too long to sift through them.

Shebee

Oh, you testosterone looks in range, but your doctor should treat for the symptoms. The references are only a guidline. No one knows what level of Testosterone that you were running when you were 25.

If on Testosterone supplementation, if you start feeling very aggressive, you can just back of and "self regulate." I do this sometimes. After a while, I seem to know when to back off a bit or add a bit more. Yep, we are just life Lab Rats, only prettier! LOL!

Shebee

My doctor wants me to be on the high end of normal which I don't think I need to be at. I was 34 unsupplemented. She wants my level to be between 60 - 80. The range is the range you listed above 20-76. I think I will do like a few of you have said, just take half maybe twice a week. I don't feel I have any symptoms that would justify it. But my doctor has one article on a 20 or 30 clinical trial using T where the women had less incidences of breast cancer. So for that reason only my doctor wants me taking it if I'm going to use estrogen.

That should be a 20-30 year cilnical trial.

interesting with T, but what if a women has more subcutaneous fat, then T will be converted into more estrogen, via fat enzymes aromatization, I have read about this trial on PubMed also.
But I am not sure if there is much sense, since testosterone is raw material for all types of estrogen, it will be protective only when a women has plenty of estrogen,.
If a women in menopause and does not supplement with estrogen to keep level high enough, and is overweight, then the T will turn into estrogen and contribute to imbalance, just thinking out loud...

I think that is the key...being balanced out. Lack of Estrogen, Progest. or Test. cause symptoms of their own.

Without ovulation, less progesterone is produced, which balances out the Estrogen. A right mix of all three hormones are necessary. It seems that many docs don't even test for Testosterone or supplement it when needed.


From what I have seen, most women have to experiment a bit to find the right balance. A good doctor can do this. A great doctor can tell what is wrong with very specific questioning of their patient, and adjust accordingly.

Perhaps the ratio of estrogen to progesterone is the key to keeping your testosterone balanced? Just thinking, too....
I do know that you can take a lot of estrogen IF your progesterone is high enough.

Shebee

Given that natural progesterone is precursor to E and T also, it seems to be hard to "balance" all three, but this is another topic.
My point was, they see reduction in breast cancer rate in controlled group of women taking HRT (both E and P) that used T versus group that just used E and P.
My guess, there should plenty of both E and P to safely take T, although majority of women had issues with low HDL, which is typical problem for male, seems T while protecting breast tissues from estrogen stimulus, may at the same time, inhibit positive effects of estrogen on cholesterol profile and CAD in general.
Double aged sword, one has to make sure to have plenty of estrogen and progesterone before supplementing with testosterone, as we get through menopause, we already have too much of T, with little E and P, naturally.
JMHO

Pete Huesman at Bellevue has told me that it is fine to supplement with just testosterone, as I am unable to use estrogen-all of it makes me feel ill . I have no ovaries but he says that a portion of it will convert to estrogen naturally. So I am getting some E by an indirect route.
I feel very well on it but I do need a little vaginal estrogen to help make libido complete.
I keep the T at a level where I do not have bad side effects and it works great for me! So there is no one size fits all approach as I said earlier. I do not do well on estrogen or progesterone. Testosterone seems to cascade down for me and balances itself out nicely.

janet c

Janet,
This was my point, the natural hormones conversion pathways are very interesting.
If anyone cares, here is interesting video on the subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGUF-q5h2cE

Iradan
I think we both posted at the same moment so I had not read your post when I posted mine.
Thanks

janet c

Janet, are you using a perscription compound of testosterone, or an over the counter brand?

I am using Testogel for men which we have in UK. It is the equivilant of Testim in US.
It is only available on prescription and it needs to be used with great caution as it is very strong. I have got to the stage now where I dilute mine into vaseline and use just a tiny dab once in a while.

janet c