T and Health

[Nygeel]

I went to the doctor recently due to a concern about possibly having diabetes. My vision has been getting worse faster, and I've been urinating much more often. I found that my blood pressure has gone way up from what it was pre-T. This could be just from stress, but going from what is considered low blood pressure (if I sat up too fast, everything would go grey) to 140/100 is a little ridiculous. My diet hasn't changed too much and I'm actually a lot more active now than I was back then. The men in my family are prone to high blood pressure, and I'm realizing that for me testosterone has a  part to do with my blood pressure problems. On top of that, I believe my cholesterol may have changed. I had 40 "good cholesterol" and 100 "bad cholesterol" which really isn't very good (this was from my last appointment). Before it was overall lower, with higher "good cholesterol." I think if my health is getting worse and I'm prone to more illness I might be forced to stop taking testosterone.

I'm putting this out there sort of as my own story, but also so people that might have family history of blood and heart problems...you might have to look out for this sort of stuff.

[Hayzer12]

Your cholesterol wasnt great before starting T

I know your diet hasn't changed, but you're also getting older which also causes those things to heighten... not to mention, T makes you hungrier and being young and without time we often resort to sodium fueled foods.

If you want to continue T and you're afraid that you'll be forced to stop, then simply eat things from the earth. Don't eat ANYTHING that's processed, except maybe once per week. It's more expensive to do this, yeah, but if you shop around a little bit at grocery stores for the cheapest veggies and fruits, then you'll be ok. If you like meat, make sure you get lean meats, and take it easy on the beef. Chicken and fish are always the best alternative.

Don't eat too much dairy either.

As for my blood pressure and cholesterol, I haven't start T yet ... but I have  my first appointment next Tuesday. My cholesterol - last I checked - was doing pretty well, but being in college, I'm sure it's changed. My blood pressure, however, last I checked had a high diastolic and a perfect systolic number. I believe it was like 120/144 which is ridiculous. BUT to be fair, I had just eaten a very sodium filled meal at my grandmothers and hadn't drank my usual amount of water in a couple of days, and had also been drinking heavily. I'm curious to see what it is now that I'm back to my original diet and water intake. Once I know, I'll post it here, and then I'll post it after T.

I believe that is a good idea, just to see how different it can become after starting T. But it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and it's probably even more necessary after starting Testosterone.

[Nygeel]

Within less than a year my BP has changed that much, and if that's something that could be strictly because of age then I am completely f--ked. T hasn't made me hungrier, it's likely that I eat less now compared to what I was eating before. I usually opt for fruit and veg...my meat of choice is chicken. Beef I only get if it's 95% lean. I have nuts from time to time (today I had a pumpkin and chickpea veggie burger). I'm also no longer allowed to eat dairy for now, so no problems with that.

It's REALLY tough to not eat anything processed. Although, I wonder how non-processed something has to be in order to be considered "not processed."

[Lee]

Yeah, it might just be you getting older or stress related.  The only time I had higher blood pressure and cholesterol was while I was a vegan (and as I found out later not getting enough salt).  It was just a stressful semester, and my health has gone back to normal since then.

[jesse]

sorry to intrude that big of a change isn't related to t as much as possible stress blood pressure is fickle it may be way lower now that your not at the docs office while i was in the hospital mine swung from a low of 98 over 58 to a high of 140 over 90 norm is 120 over 80 but this is rarely seen perhaps if you find a way to exercise more you can help with your cholesterol issue or lipitor if you don't mind another pill i would rather increase my aerobic activities. oh and the blood pressure swings were in the matter of hours as they checked them every two hours so i wouldn't be too concerned as yet watch for trending instead if you notice it continuing to trend upward it could be another problem as far as diabetes go got that no big deal have your A1C checked its the best indicator of diabetes the lower the number the better mine currently is 7 it was a 9 diabetic this number is your average blood sugar over the last three months as i said the lower the better a number between 5 and 6 is pre diabetic and you definitely can change your diet and avoid it once you got it your stuck with it
Jessi

[bojangles]

Nygeel, do you take fish oil? That's what my dr recommended to keep cholesterol in check.
Seems to work. Also note that the thyroid can effect cholesterol. T can apparently effect either of those.
Doc increased thyroid med and had me double the fish oil when cholesterol spiked. Retested about 6 wks later, and was fine.

Blood pressure can go up if you're nervous or just ingested caffeine. Would wait and see if it's consistently up before worrying about it too much.

[Sharky]

Within less than a year my BP has changed that much, and if that's something that could be strictly because of age then I am completely f--ked. T hasn't made me hungrier, it's likely that I eat less now compared to what I was eating before. I usually opt for fruit and veg...my meat of choice is chicken. Beef I only get if it's 95% lean. I have nuts from time to time (today I had a pumpkin and chickpea veggie burger). I'm also no longer allowed to eat dairy for now, so no problems with that.

It's REALLY tough to not eat anything processed. Although, I wonder how non-processed something has to be in order to be considered "not processed."

Aren't veggie burgers processed? I always thought the fake meats were considered processed.
I've always wondered that too.

[Nygeel]

Aren't veggie burgers processed? I always thought the fake meats were considered processed.
I've always wondered that too.

It was at a restaurant/cafe. They hand make the veggie burgers.
"the mission of [place I ate]: to unite health food lovers and skeptics by providing delicious, healthful, satisfying food that's as close to the earth as possible. Packed with protein, fiber, and low in fat...etc.

Sooo...I'm guessing not processed?

[Sharky]

It was at a restaurant/cafe. They hand make the veggie burgers.
"the mission of [place I ate]: to unite health food lovers and skeptics by providing delicious, healthful, satisfying food that's as close to the earth as possible. Packed with protein, fiber, and low in fat...etc.

Sooo...I'm guessing not processed?

I guess not. Sounds very healthy to me. I was thinking of the frozen ones you get at the store.

[insideontheoutside]

All I gotta say is hormones are very powerful and an imbalance in what your body would naturally have on it's own can cause all sorts of problems. I'm not on T because of all the problems it caused and the way it made me feel.

[Luc]

After 3+ years on T, my blood pressure is high, too. Problem is, I don't know if it's because of the T or because of the myriad factors that could also contribute (stress, bad diet, little exercise, you name it...). It's easy for people to say, "Just eat healthier!", but the fact of the matter is that for some of us, the money just isn't there. Personally, I have $70 for the next 3 weeks. That has to cover gas, food, incidentals... so basically, it won't cover it. I eat the cheapest crap I can find, because there's nothing more I can afford. I'm getting on food stamps, but that's less than $200 a month, and with food prices where they are right now, I'll be lucky if that'll even buy me the crap I've been eating.

All I gotta say is hormones are very powerful and an imbalance in what your body would naturally have on it's own can cause all sorts of problems. I'm not on T because of all the problems it caused and the way it made me feel.

I think I'd kill myself before going off T. I did 25 years of that, and I'm done with it. Most guys on T have no problem, and for those of us who do, I think it's probably a matter of staying in shape. Nygeel, luckily you seem to have the money to buy better food. Do it, and try to work out at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. You should be fine.

[LordKAT]

My story is the same, cholesterol exceptionally good and blood pressure easily under control. Now I fight the blood pressure part. Walking for a few hours outside of work helps tremendously.  It is the T, but like Luc, I would never quit.

[Bahzi]

I'm due back at the doctor next month for more bloodwork and a check-up, but at my 3 months on T visit, my blood pressure was lower than pre-T (probably because I was less stressed, unfamiliar medical situations/facilities freak me out), and my cholesterol hadn't changed from being what my doctor described as 'perfect'.  I'm also in very good shape, workout 5+ days a week, and eat a very healthy diet low in dairy and no red meat.

T is a risk factor for a lot of conditions and diseases, no doubt.  I was discussing this with another transguy from my local trans community group last week.  He says he's done a lot of research and has read many articles from medical journals and other sources that contend that there's no evidence that taking testosterone increases the chance of diabetes in FTM's who were not already in a high risk category, such as being significantly overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet choices, and high blood pressure and cholesterol.

T is only one risk factor though.  As others have said, healthy eating habits and exercise are crucial to maintaining good cardiovascular health.  Some people get dealt some really bad genetic cards, it's true.  It is really unfair, but it may come down to stopping HRT or making some major lifestyle changes. 

Nygeel, I'd definitely make sure your dose isn't too high first of all, too high of a testosterone level could definitely cause more of the elevated levels you described in that relatively short time period.  You're smart to seek help with the pre-diabetes symptoms you mentioned too.  Hopefully they ordered some glucose tests, that's nothing to play around with.  I'm sorry you're having such a rough time on T.  For what it's worth, I think it's very responsible and mature of you to consider the possibility of having to go off hormones for the safety of your health, although, hopefully your doctor will be able to offer some insight into the numbers and your symptoms and come up with a plan to improve them without ceasing HRT altogether.  Another thing to think about, even if you had to stop for the time being, it's totally possible that if you later had a hysterectomy maybe you'd be able to resume T since you'd need about half the dose to produce the same changes/effects.

[insideontheoutside]

After 3+ years on T, my blood pressure is high, too. Problem is, I don't know if it's because of the T or because of the myriad factors that could also contribute (stress, bad diet, little exercise, you name it...). It's easy for people to say, "Just eat healthier!", but the fact of the matter is that for some of us, the money just isn't there. Personally, I have $70 for the next 3 weeks. That has to cover gas, food, incidentals... so basically, it won't cover it. I eat the cheapest crap I can find, because there's nothing more I can afford. I'm getting on food stamps, but that's less than $200 a month, and with food prices where they are right now, I'll be lucky if that'll even buy me the crap I've been eating.

Just an aside, people always seem to think that it takes a lot of money to "eat healthy" and then just end up eating processed foods and fast food. Having had to survive on a grocery budget of $100 for an entire month for about a year of my life I can tell you first hand that's it's a lie that you can't eat healthy for cheap. Most of what I was buying was either bulk foods or going to the 99 cent store to get things such as lentils, brown rice, pasta, etc. I'd also get spices there so I would eat a lot of indian dishes, pasta, etc. Every now and then I'd get lean meats at the grocery store and fresh vegetables and fruits never set me back. I was eating quite well on $25 a week once I had enough of the "staple" items. And now there's tons of resources on the web for healthy eating on even extremely low budgets.

I think a lot of people are simply addicted to junk food or just believe that healthy food costs a lot of money.