HRT - Low T

[bingunginter]

How to deal with the side effect of low testosterone while on hrt ?
Sure hrt can be adjusted so that its not low but then the feminization effect is reduced as well no point.

[Lara1969]

Which side effect? You want a low T to become feminized by the Gemälde Hormonen. Estrogen replaces the Testosterone for all necessary biological functions of the body.

Lara

[bingunginter]

I wrote this on another thread,
- Less motivation to do anything much
- Less competitive drive
- Lack of energy, get tired quickly
- low sex drive

[Cindy Stephens]

I have had no surgery as patches and spiro seemed to alleviate the worst of the dysphoria.  I really didn't want to transition (Though my wife wanted me to) because of my work environment.   I changed doctors and we decided to switch to injectables; estradiol and medroxyprogesterone.  I am fully aware of the medroxy bad press, but it seemed (in my case) the way to go after full and careful consideration.  My T is virtually nonexistent.
I have a lot of the symptoms you list as well as the bad memory one you didn't.  All are well documented effects of low T.  I have adjusted my medroxy intake to spread a one month dose over a month and a half.  I can tell that my T is just a little higher and the ambition is up.  I wasn't really planning much surgery, but will probably get an orchi, which will cause my T levels to go up when I drop the Medroxy!  Pretty counter intuitive.  I hope and assume that you are employing a DR of some sort for your HRT.   I suspect he/she will have no problem if you experiment a little and use LESS of the AA.  Figure out what feels right for you.  Sometime slow and steady is the ticket, especially if the sides are troublesome.  Besides, women's bodys transition during puberty with far higher levels of T than what I have had. I believe that there is an inflection point where lower T does not promote faster transition just more troublesome sides.  You just need, with your Dr, to find yours. 

[bingunginter]

I've mentioned its already been adjusted. My experience so far is either lower T, more feminization, more side effect or higher T, less feminization, less side effect.
So maybe I need solution other than adjusting HRT.

[monarch]

bingunginter, I have everything you listed plus anxiety.  I tried talking to my endo about low T, but he was not interested in entertaining any ideas of placing me on T.  At this stage, I am just living with the symptoms, and I am hoping there is nothing else wrong with me.  Thus far none of my tests suggest anything else.

[monarch]

I've mentioned its already been adjusted. My experience so far is either lower T, more feminization, more side effect or higher T, less feminization, less side effect.
So maybe I need solution other than adjusting HRT.

Oh, I see.  Well, I think there are other medications that can address some of the items on your list, but I guess you need to weigh your options.  I know there are medications to deal with my anxiety, for example, but some of them can make my other problems worse.  Plus I am unsure that taking such medications would address the cause as opposed to just the symptoms.  If the cause of your side effects are low T, then the best solution is raising your T levels, and yes, I realize there is a cost to higher T levels.  Probably not what you wanted to hear.  Perhaps someone else has a better answer.

[bingunginter]

Should I find more experience Dr ? This might be hard and most likely have to drive out of town too.
Should I just accept the side effect if I want feminization ?
Is it really possible to have not low T and feminization ?

[monarch]

Should I find more experience Dr ? This might be hard and most likely have to drive out of town too.
Should I just accept the side effect if I want feminization ?
Is it really possible to have not low T and feminization ?

It never hurts to get a second opinion.
Only you can answer the second question.
The last question depends on complex interactions within your body.  You and your doctor may have to experiment and figure things out via trial and error.  I have been transitioning for roughly four and half years, and I am still not convinced all of the kinks have been worked out yet.  Transition is a process, and I am unsure any of us can truly answer your questions, sorry.

[bingunginter]

Only you can answer the second question.

I guess different question to ask is if my expectation (feminization with no side effect) is realistic. If not then I will forever stuck trying to achieve unattainable goal.
Its easier to accept if know that it is just what most mtf will have to compromise.

[monarch]

I guess different question to ask is if my expectation (feminization with no side effect) is realistic. If not then I will forever stuck trying to achieve unattainable goal.
Its easier to accept if know that it is just what most mtf will have to compromise.

Well, everyone is different, but I can relate my experience.  At the beginning my main issue was too little estradiol, so I really did not feel too many side effects.  In fact, my changes were very gradual, and I did not realize they were happening.  Later my estradiol dosage increased, but I noticed a slight change but still no real side effects of note.

The real change occurred for me after my orchiectomy (I have since had srs).  I broke down and cried, which is unheard of for me.  Then I started having anxiety attacks.  I am always a little anxious, but nothing like what I was experiencing post orchiectomy.  I have had weakness, muscle pain, fasciculations, brain fog, et cetera.  Several doctors examined me and pronounced me fine.  As to the cause of all these symptoms, perhaps a drop in T or something else, which is yet be identified.

I asked my endo to test my T levels, and he refused saying that my levels are going to be low so why test.  I then asked for low level T treatment and he refused again.  I have very little endogenous T, so exogenous T is my only real option here.

I would like to reiterate that the exact cause of these symptoms are unknown, and their onset may only be coincidental to my orchiectomy and subsequent lowering of T.  There are people who have this operation without any real issue.  Perhaps I am paying a price for transition, perhaps not.  That written, I do not regret my decision to transition.  I hope that helps you in some way.

[bingunginter]

I'm confused how majority mtf people deal with this then since the symptom of low testosterone is common and well documented.
Is is just for them the low T does not effect at all ?

[monarch]

I'm confused how majority mtf people deal with this then since the symptom of low testosterone is common and well documented.
Is is just for them the low T does not effect at all ?

Honestly, I do not know, but I must admit that I do not see a lot of mtf folks complaining about low T.  Perhaps they are unaware as to the cause of their symptoms despite being well documented, or perhaps they do not suffer any symptoms at all.  It would be nice if others voiced their experiences on this subject, but at this point, I feel like I am having a PM conversation with you.  However, you probably are not alone because I suspect that I too suffer from this issue.