My wife had a hormone panel ran by doctor. Her Total T was 16.62 ng/dL. The reference range is 13.84-53.35 ng.dL The doctor was recommending she start HRT including Testosterone, Estrogen and Progesterone. She is 42 and very active and lean. Does anyone know what health test number for a woman her age would be?
Women have phases of their life so age 42 isn’t as helpful.
Take Progesterone for example.
Follicular phase 0.1 - 0.9
Luteal phase 1.8 - 23.9
Ovulation phase 0.1 - 12.0
Pregnant
First trimester 11.0 - 44.3
Second trimester 25.4 - 83.3
Third trimester 58.7 - 214.0
Postmenopausal 0.0 - 0
Like men most good HRT docs look at Free T and not so much TT.
For example my wife is on HRT and her TT is 188 range 3-41 but her Free T is only 3.8 range 0-4.2. So that is where the doc wants her to stay.
They also try to hit ratios between Estradiol and Progesterone. The ratio seems to be more important than the amount. Within reason I am sure.
Anyway hope that helped.
Total T is bio unavailable, Free T is what matters. The proper doses for women is around 10mg weekly split injections per week keeping levels stable, 20mg weekly is above what most women can handle.
Do to the small quanties needed most HRT doc will put her on creams. Her T cream will be applies in the morning and a E and P cream to apply at night. T shots are not very typical for women. In fact according to Defy shots are only given if there is a bad skin reaction to the cream.
The Dr. uses pellets for the T and topical estrogen and progesterone. I will have her ask the Dr. for free T on the next blood work. This same Dr. has been trying to convince me to switch to pellets for my TRT for a while now.
The lack of Free T labs was troubling and now you mention doctor wants you on pellets, this is a bad sign. Doctors make a ridiculous amount of money on the pellet insertion. No Free T testing, it keeps getting worse.
These are what I call red flags.
I refused pellets and even switched to a different Dr. but several of our friends are on pellets and go to this urologist.
This site hates links so I will refrain from posting one. But do a google search for Free T calculators. I like the one that gives you (Free Bioavailable Testosterone calculator) so use that in your search. If you have a recent blood test with the right measurements (Albumin, SHGB, TT) you can calculate free T and some will say that is more accurate than the labs Free T test.
On a side note I am no fan of pellets. If the doc gets the calculation wrong you and your wife will suffer the consequence for up to 6 months. How does that saying go “If Mama ain’t happy in the house NO one is happy.” IMO find a doc that prescribes T creams for women.