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Is taking Testosterone safe?

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Posted 5/18/2023 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
My girlfriend (who likely has lyme babesia and bart) was tested for testosterone relatively close to her period. She has a test level of 5. Her functional medicine doc said it should be 50. She tried DHEA but had to stop because it caused bad breast pain. The doc now wants her to take testosterone directly.
She is concerned about irreversible body hair and deepening voice. Are these potential side effects likely?

Thanks
Posted 5/18/2023 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
I would get a second opinion on that.

Testosterone is something that is easily tested by a conventional healthcare labs such as quest. I’m guessing your functional medicine doctor used a nonconventional lab test of some type.?

Hormones do like to work together. Have other hormone levels been tested?
Posted 5/18/2023 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
many doctors prescribe testosterone for women - eg as part of HRT

the dose is key - mostly low doses - within what are expected to raise levels to within the normal range for women are used - with obvious risk associated with going over physiological type doses

i don't know enough about the subject to advise further - but i am not sure if supplementing based on a single reading is generally advisable -

it may be better to have several readings over the course of a month to have a better idea of levels before prescribing

bart plays havoc with the hormones - and these things tend to improve with successful antimicrobial treatment
Posted 5/18/2023 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. Based on my experience of supplementing with a testosterone cream and a progesterone pill, when I was wickedly ill with Lyme disease and Cohen factions, I would not recommend supplementation. I had to halt the use of hormones as they made my symptoms, particularly the neurological symptoms worse.

I would also recommend getting a second opinion. We are all different in how we metabolize hormones. However, again, based on my experience, I am inclined to consider that Lyme disease and Cohen factions may cause changes to the body which make hormone supplementation a precarious endeavor for some of us.

Best to your girlfriend in which ever path she chooses.
Posted 5/18/2023 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Supplementing testosterone could be fine as long as it's in proper proportion to all of the other other hormones. People of all sexes naturally produce testosterone (and estrogen and the others), so it's certainly possible for her to see benefits if her body is not producing the right amount. That said, balance is extremely important with hormones, so definitely make sure that her other hormone levels are optimal, not just testosterone.
Posted 5/20/2023 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Robinhobb,
I have been using testosterone implants (pellets) for 2 months. I also get a small estrogen pellet as well, to keep everything balanced.

I took had extremely low testosterone levels, and what can happen to women with extremely low testosterone are things like loss of bone density, increased breast cancer risk, higher blood pressure, and a whole lot more.

Now, I'm turning 60 (!!!!! OMG, I've made it!!!!!), but I decided I owed it to myself to give it a try. And it blew my mind all the benefits it has brought to me.

My voice didn't get lower, I didn't get increased acne, sore breasts, or any of the other many possible side effects.

So, what improved, even though I have only had one set of implants so far?
Increased energy, lowered pain, I have that spark that makes me me back (!!!), I am starting to have improved sleep, and more!

So, I chose testosterone pellet therapy because it's the most accurate way of getting the amounts you need. Testing all hormone levels before hand is a must, and the practitioner should state that (or find another one, please!), and for me, my practitioner included blood testing, and follow-up care in the price. I go in 3 times a year for the implants, had a blood test 6 weeks after the first dose to be sure my hormone levels were right where the doc wants them.

This is an important decision, so please do your research thoroughly, and don't forget to check out the practitioners offering this service.

Best of luck to both of you!!
Posted 5/23/2023 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I would be careful taking testosterone. I think it's a lot more dangerous than people realize.
Posted 5/23/2023 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
That was my hubby's opinion as well when my testosterone levels came back severely low and after he read "The Women's Health Initiative". Fortunately, we don't have to base medical care on that one study, which wasn't done appropriately.

There have been numerous studies done now on women taking testosterone. The more recent ones now support replacing not only estradiol, but testosterone as well. For women, it's important to get both, if receiving hormone replacement therapy.

But, as with all things medical - tests are needed, and it's not right for everyone.
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