Amount of T

[KarlMars]

I have watched people on T develop to all different levels of masculinity after they've been on it a few years and heard people talking about the amounts administered. As a patient does the doctor give you any choice of the level you receive. How long do you take it before you see all the changes that will happen in your lifetime?

I have a friend who's been on it a few years and he still looks like a butch woman to me.

[AnonyMs]

I don't know if the doctor will give you a choice, but you usually have a choice of which doctor to see.

[invisiblemonsters]

the doctor can give you a choice. mine started me on a low dose to make sure i would react okay with it. after a few months, he increased it, etc. but you could ask your doctor to increase it or decrease it based on your hormone levels because i am not on a "full dose" because my level is already in the male range. it is seriously something you talk with your doctor because everyone is different. testosterone takes years to make you see the "full" changes but a lot of people see changes within the first year and get a good idea of where they might be but it does increasingly change, especially things like hair. like i didn't get chest hair until over a year on T and my facial hair is still coming on. also things like body fat redistributing takes a long time.

[KarlMars]

the doctor can give you a choice. mine started me on a low dose to make sure i would react okay with it. after a few months, he increased it, etc. but you could ask your doctor to increase it or decrease it based on your hormone levels because i am not on a "full dose" because my level is already in the male range. it is seriously something you talk with your doctor because everyone is different. testosterone takes years to make you see the "full" changes but a lot of people see changes within the first year and get a good idea of where they might be but it does increasingly change, especially things like hair. like i didn't get chest hair until over a year on T and my facial hair is still coming on. also things like body fat redistributing takes a long time.

Thank you. This is a very exceptional and helpful post. I will soon be looking into the cost of hormones and all the doctor's visits that come with it and see how much my insurance will cover. I've noticed some people who look more adrogynous than masculine and have been on it a few years. I'd like to go for a hyper masculine look as much as I can. I guess that's a good thing to tell the doctor, right?

[invisiblemonsters]

Thank you. This is a very exceptional and helpful post. I will soon be looking into the cost of hormones and all the doctor's visits that come with it and see how much my insurance will cover. I've noticed some people who look more adrogynous than masculine and have been on it a few years. I'd like to go for a hyper masculine look as much as I can. I guess that's a good thing to tell the doctor, right?

that will depend on genetics and you (how you dress, present yourself, etc.) you can't have too much T in your system or it converts back to estrogen. your doctor will end up finding the right balance for you, you just need to be 100% honest with them at all times.

i was literally just looking at old pictures of myself and i had a really round baby face, i could easily be mistaken for 16 even though i was probably 20 at the time of the picture. now though, my face has definitely slimmed and i look 1000% more masculine. testosterone can do wonders.

[FTMax]

My doctor starts everyone on a low dose to acclimate you to the hormone. People who go straight into a full dose are more likely to have some fatigue early on. I stayed at a low dose for a month, and got just as many changes as guys who were on full doses who started at the same time. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so obviously doses can and should change to be what is most appropriate for you and your goals.

My doctor asked me before prescribing T what my goals were and how I identified (binary, non-binary). As somebody who feels very binary and wanted as much masculinization as possible, she recommended that I go up to a regular dose after a month on T. She has some guys wait until 3 months if they're feeling unsure about where they'd like to be. For non-binary guys I believe she has them stay on the low dose unless they express that they want more.

So in short, yes. A good doctor will listen to you and discuss your needs and how those line up with what they can give you and what your insurance will pay for.

[KarlMars]

My doctor starts everyone on a low dose to acclimate you to the hormone. People who go straight into a full dose are more likely to have some fatigue early on. I stayed at a low dose for a month, and got just as many changes as guys who were on full doses who started at the same time. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so obviously doses can and should change to be what is most appropriate for you and your goals.

My doctor asked me before prescribing T what my goals were and how I identified (binary, non-binary). As somebody who feels very binary and wanted as much masculinization as possible, she recommended that I go up to a regular dose after a month on T. She has some guys wait until 3 months if they're feeling unsure about where they'd like to be. For non-binary guys I believe she has them stay on the low dose unless they express that they want more.

So in short, yes. A good doctor will listen to you and discuss your needs and how those line up with what they can give you and what your insurance will pay for.

That is wonderful advice and thank you for sharing that experience. How much would T cost out of pocket per month if insurance didn't cover it? Thanks Max.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

Grr, my doctor is making me wait three months before doing blood work and recalibrating. She never asked me about my preferred rate of masculinization (=as quickly as possible) and actually talked about stopping T with other patients because of acne (doesn't that get better in time--btw, yes, my face is oiler, but I am dealing with it, srs, wtf).

My area is kind of rural and I don't know what other providers may be out there. My pharmacist is starting to think she's a nut, though. 0.o

[Laura_7]

That is wonderful advice and thank you for sharing that experience. How much would T cost out of pocket per month if insurance didn't cover it? Thanks Max.

You could look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,206087.msg1829070.html#msg1829070


*hugs*

[Laura_7]

Grr, my doctor is making me wait three months before doing blood work and recalibrating. She never asked me about my preferred rate of masculinization (=as quickly as possible) and actually talked about stopping T with other patients because of acne (doesn't that get better in time--btw, yes, my face is oiler, but I am dealing with it, srs, wtf).

My area is kind of rural and I don't know what other providers may be out there. My pharmacist is starting to think she's a nut, though. 0.o

Many people start out with half the dose for a few weeks or months.
There are trans men into singing who say it can help the larynx expand more naturally. In cis people the dose also rises somewhat gradually in the beginning.

Concerning acne there are people who had improvements by drinking more water.
One possible cause is the buildup of toxins and excretion through the skin.
So drinking some water to flush out toxins and a healthy nutrition, imo. avoiding fast food with artificial flavour enhancers, might help.


*hugs*

[KarlMars]

Many people start out with half the dose for a few weeks or months.
There are trans men into singing who say it can help the larynx expand more naturally. In cis people the dose also rises somewhat gradually in the beginning.

Concerning acne there are people who had improvements by drinking more water.
One possible cause is the buildup of toxins and excretion through the skin.
So drinking some water to flush out toxins and a healthy nutrition, imo. avoiding fast food with artificial flavour enhancers, might help.


*hugs*

Thanks for the information, Laura.

[Felix]

My doctor has been very open to my goals and concerns. I got lucky in that I was shuffled over to her because she was known to have experience treating trans people (back when that was a bit more obscure), so I didn't have to deal with any weird preconceptions. She always listens and she is very clear about risks but she trusts me when I want to take chances.

I keep my T at the starting dose that most transguys on T are familiar with. My blood levels are below what would be normal for a cisguy, but most health professionals react with alarm when they see I'm taking it. I have high blood pressure, "pre-diabetes," kinda severe PTSD, lots of chronic pain and metal in my body, and I get HIV tests often enough that it's obvious I sleep around. I see my doctor regularly and also communicate by phone and email and she lets me take the lead on my treatment as long as I don't act stupid. Even with serious risks she listens to me about what my goals are and what I'm willing to sacrifice.

For me personally I care about health more than beauty, but also I care about being absolutely male in any way I can. I don't care if I go bald or have a higher risk of heart disease or whatever if that's what I would have had if I had been born a cisguy. I don't care how many years get shaved off my life by transition. I don't care if I get zits or if my orgasms stop being as awesome as they are for women. I don't care if I get a beergut (which I did get despite eating vegan and walking a couple miles a day) or if I can't sing like I used to. I literally have no health goals that are more important than becoming a regular guy as much as possible. My doctor has been very practical and helpful with this.

I admit that my intense focus on caring for my kid makes it easier for healthcare providers to do whatever they feel is best. I don't have a career or family of my own or even much self-interest. They could all be quacks and it wouldn't really matter as long as my kid stays out of jail.

I've been on T for I think at least 4 years. My masculinization was drastic and quick at first but it plateaued within a year or so. Since then my muscles have gotten harder and my emotions have subsided and the way I smell has changed a lot. My veins look bigger and the hair on my arms is blacker and more extensive.

Most of my health problems have gotten worse on T. It's worth it, but I'm not going to pretend T is all miracles and rainbows and unicorns. It's all that for my mental health though for sure. I'm way more stable than I was when I tried to be a girl.

[KarlMars]

My doctor has been very open to my goals and concerns. I got lucky in that I was shuffled over to her because she was known to have experience treating trans people (back when that was a bit more obscure), so I didn't have to deal with any weird preconceptions. She always listens and she is very clear about risks but she trusts me when I want to take chances.

I keep my T at the starting dose that most transguys on T are familiar with. My blood levels are below what would be normal for a cisguy, but most health professionals react with alarm when they see I'm taking it. I have high blood pressure, "pre-diabetes," kinda severe PTSD, lots of chronic pain and metal in my body, and I get HIV tests often enough that it's obvious I sleep around. I see my doctor regularly and also communicate by phone and email and she lets me take the lead on my treatment as long as I don't act stupid. Even with serious risks she listens to me about what my goals are and what I'm willing to sacrifice.

For me personally I care about health more than beauty, but also I care about being absolutely male in any way I can. I don't care if I go bald or have a higher risk of heart disease or whatever if that's what I would have had if I had been born a cisguy. I don't care how many years get shaved off my life by transition. I don't care if I get zits or if my orgasms stop being as awesome as they are for women. I don't care if I get a beergut (which I did get despite eating vegan and walking a couple miles a day) or if I can't sing like I used to. I literally have no health goals that are more important than becoming a regular guy as much as possible. My doctor has been very practical and helpful with this.

I admit that my intense focus on caring for my kid makes it easier for healthcare providers to do whatever they feel is best. I don't have a career or family of my own or even much self-interest. They could all be quacks and it wouldn't really matter as long as my kid stays out of jail.

I've been on T for I think at least 4 years. My masculinization was drastic and quick at first but it plateaued within a year or so. Since then my muscles have gotten harder and my emotions have subsided and the way I smell has changed a lot. My veins look bigger and the hair on my arms is blacker and more extensive.

Most of my health problems have gotten worse on T. It's worth it, but I'm not going to pretend T is all miracles and rainbows and unicorns. It's all that for my mental health though for sure. I'm way more stable than I was when I tried to be a girl.

Did you develop the high blood pressure and pre diabetic condition because of T or did you have that anyway? I thought the only real health risk was liver trouble. Thanks for the long story- sorry to hear about your health troubles.

[Alexthecat]

Any health concerns that cis men get you can get on T. You manage it the same way a cis men does; eat healthy and exercise.

[KarlMars]

Any health concerns that cis men get you can get on T. You manage it the same way a cis men does; eat healthy and exercise.

Most definitely  Bless you!

[Felix]

Did you develop the high blood pressure and pre diabetic condition because of T or did you have that anyway? I thought the only real health risk was liver trouble. Thanks for the long story- sorry to hear about your health troubles.

I was like that to begin with. I focus on it because my doctor mentioned both as contraindications if she were giving testosterone to a woman. She asked me a lot of questions to be sure how secure I was in my identity and then went with what I wanted. My high blood pressure was episodic with panic and only became consistent (though mild) about a year before I started testosterone. The pre diabetes is something I first got diagnosed with when I was starting puberty and it came up again shortly after my daughter was born. I had never drank straight water in my life until I was breastfeeding and the baby magazines said to drink a lot of water. It never even crossed my mind that water by itself could be consumed like that. I was raised on sweet tea and koolaid. When I got my stuff together and stopped being dumb my blood sugar got better but not perfect.

My liver panels are always fine and I'm happy about that. I did talk to my doctor though about what would happen if they weren't. I told her I'm willing to take any health problems that any normal cisguy would have and I'm willing to make any lifestyle changes that might help offset the longevity difference.

[FTMax]

That is wonderful advice and thank you for sharing that experience. How much would T cost out of pocket per month if insurance didn't cover it? Thanks Max.

I actually pay out of pocket for mine. It would only cover 1 month at a time, and those vials are very difficult to get a full final dose out of, so I pay for the larger vial. It's usually around $80 and that lasts me around 5 months.

Grr, my doctor is making me wait three months before doing blood work and recalibrating. She never asked me about my preferred rate of masculinization (=as quickly as possible) and actually talked about stopping T with other patients because of acne (doesn't that get better in time--btw, yes, my face is oiler, but I am dealing with it, srs, wtf).

My area is kind of rural and I don't know what other providers may be out there. My pharmacist is starting to think she's a nut, though. 0.o

Acne should get better in time, just like with normal puberty. If it doesn't, you'd probably just need to switch facial care products until you find something that works for your skin - not stop hormones.

[Felix]

My T out of pocket is 60 dollars for 5 months. I never had any flare up of acne with it but it makes my skin greasier so I'm sure some people do. I have psoriasis and that's mostly a cosmetic problem for me but it cleared up almost completely when I started testosterone. I also had Reynaud's, the thing where your fingers or toes turn into corpse fingers and toes, and that has only happened one time since I've been on T, and it was on a really stressful night when I stayed up too late and smoked a lot of cigarettes.

[unclesean]

Any good doctor will monitor your levels and keep them in the right range and watch for the changes to happen at the right pace.

Once you're in the right range, having more in your system will not help your changes come faster and in fact can slow them down and increase unwanted side effects and health risks.

Like most guys I have been impatient for the changes to happen immediately but am glad my endo does what she thinks is right rather than dispensing extra medication on demand. 

Also don't quote me on this but I heard that for subQ the normal dose is lower than for IM so the method you're using might also make a difference.  Like for subQ a regular dose is /week and for IM it's /2 wks or /wk. 

Mod Edit- no dosages please. TOS 8

[Laura_7]

You might want to edit out exact dosage. Like its half of im .

Here is a link to a medical resource concerning injections:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,80762.msg564084.html#msg564084


*hugs*