question from a user
Hi, I am a 41 year old female, in peri menopause interested in TRT. Recent labs taken 2 weeks ago: Free testosterone 0.5 pg/ml and Testosterone NG/dl is 5. Current healthcare providers refuse to put me on testosterone replacement. My libido is non existent (and has been for a few years), and now my muscle endurance and ability to do my usual exercise/routines and runs is laughable. Where can I get topical testosterone prescribed? I am not interested in a 'pellet'. Edited to Add: SHBG: 126 nmol/L. Healthy, no issues or history of cancer (no familial risk either) no other elevated risk factors. I'm in healthcare myself and the lack of services/providers who are willing to even talk about Testosterone replacement for women is laughable. Please advise.
AlphaMD's Answer
Your lab results along with your reported symptoms would qualify you for TRT. It is rare to find medical providers that are comfortable with prescribing testosterone for women, but that is only because they don’t educate themselves on it. Another reason why few medical providers prescribe it is because TRT for women is never covered by insurance.
You mentioned interest in topical testosterone. As a tip from an insider; women tend to respond better to testosterone injections than to topical forms of testosterone. This is because the majority of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme (which converts testosterone —> DHT) is found in the skin. Topical testosterone leads to more interaction with the 5AR enzyme, causing higher levels of DHT. DHT is the hormone responsible for virilization (deeper voice, clitoral enlargement, body hair growth). If you are comfortable with doing twice weekly subcutaneous injections (similar to insulin shots for diabetics), then you bypass the 5AR enzyme in the dermal layer and significantly decrease the likelihood of developing unwanted side effects from TRT use.
There is no reason you should not work with someone to help you get the results you are looking for. If you still struggle to find help, you can visit us at AlphaMD.org. We are licensed to practice in all 50 states, DC, and Guam.
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