High Testosterone Level

[Sallybones]

Has Anyone experienced high testosterone level along with hypothyroidism or have any ideas why I should have it.

I haven't posted for a long time for various reasons and being very unwell.

However reached the end of my tether with our GP practice and everything else.

Getting nowhere and no life I found a private Endo willing to see me but needed GP referral.

Brief related history is 20 years of low t4 and low normal tsh and on and off a couple of trials of Levo but other health problems got in the way and then GPs certainly wouldn't put me back on it because blood test says 'normal'!! (practice has been bought up by corporate company)

She did agree to doing the private referral I think to get me out of their hair as had a bit of a melt down and not for the first time.

Within 2 days I got a phone call and an appointment for the following week from the Endo.

Nice man listened and talked to me like a human being. It was more like a discussion between equals.

He put me back on Levo starting dose and because of some of the newer symptoms I mentioned suggested GP test my female hormones plus testosterone level. I'm 68 well over menopause and full hysterectomy 11 years ago.

GP agreed but I would have had to wait a month for them to do it at the surgery. Think they must get paid for doing them now. So made them print the blood test forms off and got an appointment at our local hospital tomorrow.

In the meantime I paid Medichecks to do it and had the result within 2 days. GP won't accept those but the Endo will.

So the result came back with very high level of testosterone and being impatient and so ill I'm wondering why?

thanks SallyB

[SlowDragon Administrator]

please add most recent Medichecks results

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am, only water to drink between waking and test

What vitamin supplements are you taking

PCOS is often linked to high testosterone

PCOS and autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s) often linked

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Info on high testosterone

healthline.com/health/high-...

[Sallybones in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon thanks for replying.

I've never had PCOS as far as I'm aware but I don\t think my testosterone has ever been tested even when I had my hysterectomy 2012. No symptoms of it anyway.

I was quite slim before then but have steadily put weight on in the last 10 years and its a puzzle because gastropareisis means I eat very sparsly and have done for a long time.

Tests always done as protocol and vitamins all good.

I'll probably have to wait til the Endocrinologist gets back to me but thanks for the link and I'll check that out.

[Sallybones in reply to SlowDragon]

I mean't to add that I'm wondering if its Pituitary related.

[gabkad]

Did you have both total and free testosterone checked? Free testosterone is like free triiodothyronine: it's active. Most testosterone is locked up with protein and not active.

What are your results and ranges?

[Sallybones in reply to gabkad]

I will have to look at my test again to check. Will get back to you later today. Thank gabkad

[Sallybones in reply to gabkad]

Hys gabkad2

Just Serum testosterone tested. It doesn't say free or total So? My level is top of the range though. Will try and find out if total or free.

Thanks for your reply xx

[gabkad in reply to Sallybones]

you're welcome.

[annnsandell]

Have they tested HbA1c blood glucose levels? My testosterone is high and I discovered caused by the underlying Polycystic Ovaries which has worsened with a reduction in female hormones with menopause. There is not a lot of treatment but your Edo should be able to advise, the important thing is to ensure this doesn't turn to diabetes if it is PCOS.

You say hypothyroidism and TSH and T4 testing. I have found it is virtually impossible to get a T4 or T3 test in recent years so private it is. There are also links with Hashimoto thyroid disease so hopefully your Edo will sort this out for you. I don't have a Thyroid so know my high testosterone is not thyroid-related.

Good luck

[Sallybones in reply to annnsandell]

Hi annnsandell thanks for replying. I don't know anyone else with elevated testosterone so good to know I'm not alone.

I'm too tired after a bad night to reply right now but will do later today. when get my thoughts together. Food for thought thanks. SallyB

[Sallybones in reply to annnsandell]

Hi annnandell

I'm not pre-diabetic. Blood pressure perfect. BPM perfect. Vitamin levels all good I've never been diagnosed with PCOS and never had any problems with periods and now I'm 68 and was well through menopause before total hysterectomy in 2012 so no ovaries exist. My thyroid results always pointed to Central Hypothyroidism since about 2003 but my GPs face looked blank when I've mentioned that in the past.

I remember some years ago asking if I could have my testosterone tested and GP said we don't test that in women! Gas lighted all the way. So it it could have been raised earlier but will never know. Thats partly why I started paying for private tests some years ago like the Medichecks Well Woman once a year so all the levels were done in one go. Really helpful.

But this situation has me flummoxed at the mo so at least I have the Endo on my side for discussing things. The weight has been piling on over the last few years though and I know Im all out of kilter.

Most info online is about women who want testosterone supplements. I've found some useful bits here and there. My raised level certainly hasn't given me any more energy in fact I'm even more exhausted. I have Oestrogen Only 25 Patches for Osteoporosis so maybe somethings going awry there.

I'm just curious how I can be producing more testosterone without ovaries unless things like adrenal pituitary 'things' come into play.

I shall have my question sheet ready for my follow up in a couple of months time and see if the levo is moving my thyroid at all. Its going to be a slow journey still but at least I'm back in control much to my GPs chagrin as they now have to continue prescribing what the consultant has given me.

Sorry thats all a bit higgldy piggldy but so appreciate your response thanks SallyB

[annnsandell in reply to Sallybones]

I wasn't aware of any PCOS problems until after the menopause. Testestone is made in the ovaries and in the adrenal glands in women.

If you look on the net there is a list of causes. Perhaps the patches are a cause. Your Edo should be able to help.

Good luck

[Sallybones in reply to annnsandell]

ah ha thank you for that info thats interesting you weren't aware of any PCOS til after menopause annnsandel. I will check out adrenals again. I 've done quite a bit of research but its good to hear stuff from other people too. Thanks v much.

[sparkly]

Hi, if you did a finger prick test then these are renowned for giving false high results in women.All the advice I hear is to only have venous blood drawn test.

Also I read good article from Professor Annice Mukherjee discussing testosterone blood tests in women and whether most nhs labs even have correct levels set for women.

If it was finger prick I would definitely get venous drawn done.

I will only have mine checked by Gp or menopause specialist as I know both are from same lab so ranges won't be different

[Sallybones in reply to sparkly]

Hi sparkly thanks for replying I will check out your info on Professor Annice Mukherjee. Most info is about women wanting testosterone supplements unfortunately. Thanks SallyB

[sparkly in reply to Sallybones]

facebook.com/share/p/D6VrF3... Not sure if this link to the article will work

[Sallybones in reply to sparkly]

thanks sparkly x