Progesterone & Testosterone eye drops

[farmgirl]

So jads, in your opinion which is the best test method, saliva or blood?

[jads]

DCR, there's much debate around saliva vs blood testing. I've had both, and like yourself, believe that tissue levels of 'free' or bioavailable hormones are the most accurate marker. As you may have already read, free or unbound testosterone is the one to watch. Sounds like you are on the right track.

Best of luck getting onto those drops! I'd be more inclined to focus on the systemic side of things

[heyjude0701]

I've read that testosterone levels vary thoughout the day (higher levels in the morning, lower levels later in the day? maybe the other way around, I forget) so it is possible that your tests were at different times of the day, reflecting different levels of testosterone. Judy

[DCRdryeye]

Thanks bunny and Jads for the information. I'll look into all that.
It's interesting that my local "medical" doctor tested me to have "normal" levels of Testosterone via a blood test. However, I had an extensive hormone profile done via a saliva test and it revealed some imbalances including low Testosterone. Certain biochemical markers are tested better in saliva than blood, and vice versa. My overall systemic symptoms suggest low Testosterone so I'm going with the saliva test being the most accurate. I plan on either taking herbs/nutrients to boost Testosterone or bioidentical hormones. Obtaining a normal Testosterone level will assist health on multiple levels, but we all know how difficult it is to 'cure' dry eyes. So I believe, whilst normalizing my systemic Testosterone, I'd require local, targeted testosterone applied to the eyes via drops/cream. It's good to know there are other options to try for these darn eyes, we just need to fight to obtain them!! I'll begin my quest to obtain these testosterone drops now.

[jads]

Hi DCR, Allergan have been tinkering with testosterone eye drops but as you suggest, finding someone that has much of an idea about it in Aussie would be near on impossible I'd say. Someone else here may confirm whether the drops ever actually came on to the market in the US?

I see the original thread goes back to 2010. There are very definite links to hormone deficiencies or imbalance with many cases of DES. I know first hand and have mentioned it here many times over the years. There is an ever-growing market for transdermal progesterone and pregenenlone creams. They're relatively inexpensive, and a large volume of testimonials can show that they work quite well - and not just for dry eyes. However most of this information becomes diluted somewhat with discussions on hormone drops and other such solutions and then never really discussed further as it all seems too complicated and so on.

If you have low T - and I hear this story a lot more often these days - I would be asking your doctor about the above creams to get your levels up to normal and provide some balance to your hormone profile. If you get the run around from your GP then you may need to take matters into your own hands.

Feel free to private message me if you need any more info.

cheers

[bunnyrabbit123]

I beleive these are the drops that Dr. Panzer (Houston, Tx) has been prescribing to patients. He claims great success with these. I have not been able to get anyone to write for either drops or cream- I'm told that 10% testosterone is enough to cause all kinds of cardiovascular problems. Yet, Boxer-Wachler in CA is apparently using the cream and this Dr. Panzer has formulated drops- It's really frustrating to read about this and not be able to access it. I'm thinking that since DHEA is some kind of testosterone precursor is should work in the same way, So Jude,Please keep us posted on what happens with your appt. with Dr. Rosenblatt. A dry eye buddy mentioned to me that DHEA drops were suggested to her by someone at Scheie Eye in Philadelphia, but she did not pursue it at that time-

[DCRdryeye]

I've been tested to have low testosterone levels and believe a testosterone eye drop would help, but how on earth will I find an eye doctor to prescribe it (or even know about it) in Australia? I know a compounding pharmacy who'll make anything we want, but they need the prescription with the correct ratio's. It will be a nightmare to source an eye doctor here to prescribe it.

Furthermore, will "DHEA" eyedrops work or "Testosterone" eyedrops...?? There are many variables - which hormone, what ratio, etc.

[farmgirl]

I have been prescribed testosterone cream in the past (before I had dry eye). Not so that I could have high levels of testosterone (the last thing I want to be is a man! lol) but rather so that my testosterone levels would be normal for a woman my age...yes guys we all share hormones. I quit after about 5 years because I was starting to look more like my father than my mother. I went from sparse hair on my legs and arms to feeling like a gorilla. That I could deal with, but the icing on the cake was when my hairline started to recede at the temples.

Maybe it would have anyhow but I was not about to take any chances. Currently my testosterone levels are again very low for a woman but I am OK with that at least I don't have to shave my legs every morning. I said all of that to say this though. The good news is that after I quit the hormone I saved my leftover hormone cream in the off chance I decided to resume the therapy. Having read this post I think I am going to drag it out and start applying it to my poor old eyes. Since I have Sjogren's it probably won't cure me but I find every little bit helps and I'll take 10%. Time will tell...F/G

[hankm9]

/////////////////////

[sunshinelover]

Yes, please post again, and also please ask if he knows what is happening with the trials. What an inreadibly stupid thing to say of your doctor!
The thing is that people didn t live longer than approx 45 years in ancient times , so may be humans were not supposed to become older! But with that kind of argument we could just as well stop trying to cure or treat any age related disease then!

[heyjude0701]

I wish I knew about any progress too. I am a post-menopausal woman and could not convince anyone (family doctor, ophthalmologist, endocrinologist) to prescribe testosterone cream for my DES even though my testosterone level tested low. The FDA (in the US) has not approved testosterone use for women, and none of my doctors will assume the risk of prescribing it for me. One of them, the endocrinologist, even said to me that God did not intend postmenopausal women to have high testosterone!!!! (I told her that God must not intend for me to drive or read either, then). I contacted Dr David Sullivan at the Schepens Eye Research Institute at Harvard and he referred me to Dr Mark Rosenblatt at Weill Cornell in NY. I have an appointment in two weeks, and am hoping that he will prescribe testosterone cream. I'll post again after my appointment. Judy

[sunshinelover]

Wow!!!
I read this old thread and this sounds so really really promising! Has anyone heard anything more about how these trials are progressing?

[Kezza]

From my experience, not all doctors will prescribe compounded medicines (drops, creams) especially with hormones involved.

How I found my doctor was by contacting my nearest compounding pharmacy and asking which doctors were prescribing through them. That way you can find someone who has the expertise to work out the best dose for you.

My previous doctor, even with all the evidence I presented, just said outright "There's no way I would prescribe testosterone for you".

At the pharmacy they will know what sort of base to put the hormones in - I doubt it would be alcohol.

[fundryeyes]

I'm not sure why the formulation would be progesterone for men and testosterone for women ? You'd think our glands would be similar in their response. Does anyone know what formulation I'd have to ask my doctor for in terms of the percent of testosterone/progesterone and the creme type?Is it alcohol based? I think testosterone may be better for me as I may have an issue there. Thanks in advance.

[Bekkestad]

The second formula is for men also:

"ARG102 is a progesterone cream or gel formulation used to treat DES in men and younger women"