Testosterone too high?!

[u/AngelWarrior79]

Hello, all! I'm 47. I've been on testosterone for over a year now. I started out at 11 and now I'm at 172! I'm thrilled!!! ZERO side effects, and I feel strong, confident, and amorous 💪😍

My doctor said that was too high and wants me to apply my cream every other day instead of every day. She wants it down to between 80-100. When I asked her why, she stated that those numbers are where she likes her patients to be. Now, I really like my doc. She's my age, she listens, and we have a good rapport. I explained that I feel great and have zero side effects, but that didnt seem to matter. And her explanation about levels didnt make sense either. I dont want to find another doc.

Is there anyone on here who can explain to me why she would be hesitant to allow me to continue on? Some scientific reason based on actual studies done on women? I know that you're all probably laughing at that statement, and admittedly, as I type it, I'm chuckling...but I do want to understand if anyone can help...

Thank you!

[u/RhubarbJam1]

I’m in a similar boat. My number is at 70 and she wants it lower. I haven’t had any negative side effects and very few positive ones, I was actually hoping to raise it more. Super frustrating.

[u/AngelWarrior79 → u/RhubarbJam1]

Ugh, that's very frustrating!

[u/bluecrab_7]

My is in the 200’s but my sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is high. You need to look at free T not just total T. Free T is what your body can use. Check out r/TRT_females.

[u/mountaintippytop → u/bluecrab_7]

Agreed, that community is better versed at this.

[u/AngelWarrior79 → u/bluecrab_7]

Thank you!

[u/LawyerDry8360]

Mine always told me around 100 give or take.

[u/biteyfish98]

My last test showed 152 for test, prior to that it was closer to your number, OP. I’ve been fairly steady for the better part of two years with the 150-170 number, no changes like voice or anything. Also sadly, no benefits at all that I can tell. 😑

Remember that averages are averages, every woman is different. If your doc is pushing you to lower it, I’d ask her to tell you why. If she does have some kind of logical, scientific answer, then I’d say no and / or find a new doctor. “That’s where I like my patients to be” needs a why. Because what works for some, or even most, may not be what works for you.

[u/justacpa]

My doc says she wants her female patients below 150.

[u/MercedesNyx]

Too high T in women can cause them to develop male pattern baldness, unwanted body and facial hair growth, voice deepening, acne/oily skin and hair, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, increase visceral (abdominal) fat, and higher risks for endometrial cancer.

Edited to add: Symptoms would depend how long levels have been high and some, especially facial hair growth may be permanent. Androgens can permanently change the hair folicals meaning if you start growing a mustache or beard/chin hair it may never go away even if your levels go back to normal levels for women.

[u/AngelWarrior79 → u/MercedesNyx]

Yah, I get that. But I dont have baldness, unwanted body hair, voice deepening, acne, increased visceral fat, high blood pressure or cholesterol. The other risks Im unsure of at the moment.

[u/lorrielink → u/AngelWarrior79]

Wouldn't this be easy to answer if you said how long you've been taking it since every other comment is about the duration??

[u/Tygie19 → u/lorrielink]

At the top of her post it says “over a year”

[u/MercedesNyx → u/AngelWarrior79]

You don't have that now. You don't know if they will develop if your levels remain too high. You think you develop things like insulin resistance and all of the more severe and less cosmetic issues over night?

[u/Objective-Amount1379 → u/AngelWarrior79]

I just found a doctor who is more open minded. He knows there is a wide range of “normal” and he said a lot of his patients (especially those in peri v post ) feel better and more themselves with higher levels than what your doctor wants.

Peri has been brutal for me. I finally feel better and that I’ve got my hormones dialed in. If it takes a couple of years off my life, so be it. I spent 40-43 miserable and barely getting out of bed. I’m 46 now and in a job and relationship that are great, back in the gym etc.

If your doctor can’t articulate her objections personally I would find a doctor who can explain the pros and cons of your treatment

[u/Strong-Insurance8678 → u/MercedesNyx]

The endometrial cancer link isn’t accurate per latest research. The other effects can be mediated with Finasteride, minoxidil, and regular blood work to monitor liver and metabolic health. https://www.powershealth.org/about-us/newsroom/health-library/2025/05/16/testosterone-therapy-doesnt-increase-cancer-risk-for-transmasculine-people

[u/mountaintippytop → u/Strong-Insurance8678]

Exactly tons of misinformation in here!

[u/Fashion_on_Fashion]

Side effects of high testosterone show up 6-9 months later. And some are irreversible. While you feel great now the dr. Is thinking about some time down the line.

[u/lorrielink → u/Fashion_on_Fashion]

Then the Dr should say that

[u/RhubarbJam1 → u/Fashion_on_Fashion]

I’ve been on it 9 months at this point.

[u/mountaintippytop → u/Fashion_on_Fashion]

No, they don’t. How on earth are the mods allowing answers like this but deleting others that are factually correct??

[u/saffron_monsoon → u/mountaintippytop]

Say more?

[u/Sandover5252]

Why does the medical and pharmaceutical world want to keep us down? FFS.

[u/Fashion_on_Fashion → u/Sandover5252]

It’s not about keeping women down. High testosterone cause irreversible side effects about 6-9 months down the line.

[u/Present-Pudding-346]

The target is based on what the “normal” range is for a premenopausal woman.

Natural/normal range is 15-60.

So 172 is way above normal for a woman.

The issue is that there can be irreversible masculization effects if a woman gets too high (changes in voice, genitals, etc) as well as increased cardiovascular risks and other risks.

[u/mountaintippytop → u/Present-Pudding-346]

15-60 aren’t OPTIMAL ranges, big difference.

[u/rain_on_trees]

The fact that u feel great and hav zero side effects, that's ur answer! I think ur Dr wanting ur Total T lower is unfortunately a red flag that she isn't looking at the whole picture, but just 1 number. My gyno did the same thing, she saw my Total T was 60 and told me to lower my dose, and ignored all other indicators. So of course I need a new Dr after hearing that. But sounds like u hav a good relationship with ur Dr, so u could try bringing in research articles & info from other Menopause experts. I would be curious wat ur Free T is, since that's wat practitioners monitor to help optimize HRT (but not as a stand alone of course). But the fact that u feel good without side effects, that is the goal!!!

[u/jalyth]

I’m new to it, so I dunno if this would work. But my doc keeps telling me to test at the high T mark for the day. Perhaps if you gamed the test timing?

[u/mountaintippytop]

Please ask this is the TRT_females community on Reddit instead, optimal ranges by person.

[u/SecretMiddle1234]

Mine was 142 and she had me apply three times a week. Next draw was 46. I felt a lot stronger and more energy at 142 however I noticed I was irritable.

[u/Futurekiwi69]

She doesn't want you to develop an enlarged clitoris, hair loss or deeper voice because those side effects tend to be irreversible. Just because they have not happened yet doesn't mean they won't. They like to keep you within a certain amount above the female physiological range for a young woman to reduce risk of it happening. In addition they just don't have safety data for higher. People say well trans people take higher, but trans people will often have their breasts and uterus removed. Basically you're playing with the unknown.