Dr thinks I'm intersex - Feeling lost, talking it out

[Takoto]

Hey ya'll

So a bit of background, I'm a transman whose pre-T currently, been in the system for about four/five years and due to administration issues at CX my apps keep getting cancelled which is why I'm not on hormones yet.

I had my first blood test with Dr. Seal last year. A few months after-ward he sent me a letter saying he needed to see me ASAP, which I'd never heard of happening before. When I went to the appointment, he asked me a general round of questions- but then they started getting more specific- "did you ever have surgery when you were a child", "are there any gender variant people in your family", "has anything abnormal happened during puberty", "are your genitals normal" and I caught on pretty quickly where it was going.

He explained that my hormone levels were very odd, and what with the answers to his questions, he thinks I'm intersex/there's a high chance. He checked my genitals and said they outside they're pretty normal-looking, but I might need to have an ultra sound.

My testosterone is high for someone DFAB, but my dihydrotestosterone is very high. I had another blood test more recently and it came back as slightly higher (general T level was the same iirc), I have my results but I don't really know how to get meaning from them - I've been googling on and off for weeks what the "average" level for people of my age is, what the affects of high dihydro-testosterone are on trans dudes pre-T, etc. but I've found no solid answers.

Prior to the start of this year, I sort of knew a bit about intersex stuff, but could never really find any information about it online, or never really came across any. Now I need information and I can't find any, anywhere, I feel so lost. I've checked my university library, local library, talked to friends in the community, and friends who studies medical and biological sciences at university but so far I don't feel like I have any more information than I did back in January.

I'm not like, upset or frustrated that I am/may be intersex, honestly it doesn't bother me at all- it actually would explain many things about myself such as absolutely brutal moonsickness since I was 11 (not so heavy flow, but pain so bad I had to call hospitals before, I would be off school for a solid week, vomitting constantly if I tried to eat anything for the first three/four days, etc), body hair growth much more in-line with my brothers than the women in my family, etc. I guess?

I just feel... frustrated that I can't find any information, there's no local support groups, and I don't see Charing Cross for another three/four months (and that's IF they don't cancel my appointment, again). I want to ask, does high T and high DHT pre-hormones affect a trans mans transition? Or getting hormones? Will it change anything, like making it harder to get them? Will the effects be less noticeable?

Am I at any risks of having high T/DHT pre T? How can I get an ultrasound to check what's going on internally? Do I talk to CHX? My GP? My other endocrinologist? My other endocrinologist never brought up the fact I had high T or DHT, so why did only Charring Cross notice it?

I just feel kinda lost, and have been feeling this way since January, when I found out

[FTMDiaries]

I noticed nobody replied to this and you're probably still feeling worried, so here goes: Dr Seal is right that there's a chance you're Intersex... but it's also possible that you have PCOS. That's why he wants you to have an ultrasound: to check your ovaries for signs of any conditions that could cause raised T levels.

PCOS would fit with the heightened levels of T & DHT, your incredibly difficult shark weeks, weight gain, and the body hair patterns you mentioned. But so might various Intersex conditions, so he's trying to figure out which one (if any) is causing this.

I'd recommend you go to your GP (with a printout of Dr Seal's test results if possible), tell them that an endo noticed that your DHT levels are abnormally high & he recommended you get an ultrasound, and ask your GP to refer you to your local Gynaecology unit for an ultrasound scan. They'll scan your ovaries, checking for any abnormalities that might suggest either PCOS or an intersex condition. The results will be reported back to your GP with a recommendation for further treatment (if any). This is generally an external scan: if you make sure your bladder is full when you get scanned, you should only have to expose your abdomen.

In terms of transition, CHX will most likely want to keep an eye on your T levels and adjust the doses accordingly. They'll want to know the results of any tests before they'll approve you for T, so you'd best get onto your GP pronto. If you can, take the results with you to your next CHX appointment.

Your other endo might not have tested for DHT, which might explain why it was never brought up.

[HughE]

I don't know if it's of any help, but I came across this article written by someone who seems to be experiencing much the same as you are.

https://disruptingdinnerparties.com/2014/04/08/take-the-red-pill-the-truth-behind-the-biology-of-sex/

From what I've read about the process of sexual development in the unborn child, and the quite substantial weight of evidence for ->-bleeped-<- being the result of actual opposite-sexed brain development having taking place, it's my opinion that trans is a form of intersex, and there's often subtle physical evidence of this in the form of differences in body structure and differences in hormones between trans people and cis people of their birth sex.

[ChasingAlice]

I've not been told or tested, but if things are questionable then that is good enough for me. I cramp every month and get bitchy. I'm not proud to be bitchy, but thats just the way it is. I also don't mind the cramps, its the 'period runs' that piss me off. Hence bitchy, but I am getting better. This is how I was 'clocked' when I was younger and is still a dead give away to those who pay attention.

btw...male->female

[Takoto]

I noticed nobody replied to this and you're probably still feeling worried, so here goes: Dr Seal is right that there's a chance you're Intersex... but it's also possible that you have PCOS. That's why he wants you to have an ultrasound: to check your ovaries for signs of any conditions that could cause raised T levels.

PCOS would fit with the heightened levels of T & DHT, your incredibly difficult shark weeks, weight gain, and the body hair patterns you mentioned. But so might various Intersex conditions, so he's trying to figure out which one (if any) is causing this.

I'd recommend you go to your GP (with a printout of Dr Seal's test results if possible), tell them that an endo noticed that your DHT levels are abnormally high & he recommended you get an ultrasound, and ask your GP to refer you to your local Gynaecology unit for an ultrasound scan. They'll scan your ovaries, checking for any abnormalities that might suggest either PCOS or an intersex condition. The results will be reported back to your GP with a recommendation for further treatment (if any). This is generally an external scan: if you make sure your bladder is full when you get scanned, you should only have to expose your abdomen.

In terms of transition, CHX will most likely want to keep an eye on your T levels and adjust the doses accordingly. They'll want to know the results of any tests before they'll approve you for T, so you'd best get onto your GP pronto. If you can, take the results with you to your next CHX appointment.

Your other endo might not have tested for DHT, which might explain why it was never brought up.

Sorry for late response - but thanks so much, I will do just that when I see my GP next ! I'll explain what Dr. Seal said and see about getting onto the list for an ultrasound (I'm not sure if there's a waiting list - but where I live there seems to be a waiting list for everything so I'll just assume for now). Thanks so much for the response, it's very useful and I feel much better knowing what to do next.

I don't know if it's of any help, but I came across this article written by someone who seems to be experiencing much the same as you are.

https://disruptingdinnerparties.com/2014/04/08/take-the-red-pill-the-truth-behind-the-biology-of-sex/

From what I've read about the process of sexual development in the unborn child, and the quite substantial weight of evidence for ->-bleeped-<- being the result of actual opposite-sexed brain development having taking place, it's my opinion that trans is a form of intersex, and there's often subtle physical evidence of this in the form of differences in body structure and differences in hormones between trans people and cis people of their birth sex.

Thanks so much!! Will read that link a bit later today.