Estratest? Anyone ever heard of it?

[BronzedGoddess]

Thanks Fit Fossil. I thank you for showing me that web site becuase there is a lot of usefull info on there. I just feel so out of place because most of the women on there are older than me and I feel like a FREAK of nature.

Yes my doctor is really great. He's actually my hubbys doctor too. My husband called him and made an appointment for me because the OB/GYN I went to never even got back to me with results of my hormone test; so obviously my problem was not too serious in his eyes.

Sorry to ramble, just had to vent a bit. It sucks feeling "broken". I'm thankful I have such a great husband. He's been very patient with me. and I'm thankful for the helpful people on Elite!! Y'all are the greatest.

 

[wilson6]

"We discussed test injections but he told me that he's only given those to elderly men and it would do something to my cholesterol levels so I was not up for that at all."

Test inj are LEAST likely to affect your cholesterol levels, in fact a low dose is unlikely to have any significant effect, however the estratest oral probably WILL. Your doc hasn't a clue.

The gel is the best bet for controlling your daily test levels. While an inj will work, it gives you a high normal level for a few days and then you'll drop below where you want to be for a week or two before your next shot. Furthermore, IF side-effects occur, they will persist with the inj because of the prolonged action. The gel effects are greatly reduced in 24 - hours if you wash off the gel and within a few days if you don't.

I train a breast cancer survivor, early 40's who prefers to avoid estrogen, but takes 50 mg of test cyp every 5 weeks. She loves it. Feels better, more energy, improved sex drive, better workouts and thus far, no sides. Even her skin looks better.

None-the-less, the gel gives you absolute daily control.

The easiest way to monitor your dose is to apply a given amount of gel and check your blood test level a short time later. From Unimed's data, it looks like peak conc occur at 2 hrs following an application, then tapers around 4 hrs, then to a slow taper over the next 24 hrs. I'd check your test level around 4 hrs following an application, then again 4 hrs after an application after using the product for 5 days, that will tell you steady state conc. Then, you know what dose of gel produces what max T blood conc. and can make adjustments. I'd say 1/2 gram starting dose of andro-gel should work for a female. Lowest dose for guys is a 5 gram application and that produced a blood conc of about 550 ng/dl. It would be best to have a pharmacy produce a formulary mix so one application = 1/2 gram or so.

E2 is estradiol. If you want to know if what you are taking will suppress it, check it in the mid-luteal phase of your cycle and compare it to the normal range. OCs will keep the E2 conc in the early follicular range.

W6

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Thanks for the info W6. My doc did admit that he does not have much experience in this area with women my age, but he is willing to work with me so that we can find a solution. Also I go to a military hospital so I can't really see a doc that "specializes" in this area.

Thank you for your time. I will print this out and show it to the doc. --BG

 

[FitFossil]

Thanks Fit Fossil. I thank you for showing me that web site becuase there is a lot of usefull info on there. I just feel so out of place because most of the women on there are older than me and I feel like a FREAK of nature....

Don't feel like a freak of nature. I'm willing to bet there are many younger women like you right now, with plenty more to come down the pike.

Nowdays we're exposed to more and more estrogenic substances in our environment, coming from pesticides, foods, etc. These can act like estrogen in the body and throw our hormones out of balance. Hormonal birth control can also cause imbalances.

A lot of women are just going to suffer silently, because they think they're the only one, that it'll go away, or because they don't know it can and should be treated. Having a sufficient level of testosterone is important for many health functions in women, not just libido. You're going to be much better off treating it sooner rather than later.

 

[MS]

Hey there Bronzed Goddess-Have you had your test levels checked to verify that lack of test is the problem?? I mean, if they are not low then supplementing with more test may not be the answer. It would also be good to have your mid-luteal progesterone checked. I agree that oral androgens are not the best idea in terms of your liver and cholesterol health. Definitely push for the gel if your doc is a reasonable person.