People calling you prefered name + health risks of T?

[Gilbert Rose]

I have two things bugging me quite a bit, which are:
Health. I'm not going to be starting T anytime soon, but as I'm super lazy, I've decided it's time to do something about that. I used to do no exercise at all and was a couch potato, so I've now started going for short walks and lifting my brothers weights... It's a start. I hope to build up on that and start *actual* exercise soon.
Something that I'm wondering is, am I at more risk of blood clots from T? My father was at a risk of them, and my aunt, but that was due to one being wheelchair bound and the other confined to a bed. Breathing problems run in my family, but that's from smoking and I've never smoked anything, or consumed tobacco in any other way. My family has a bit of a history with multiple types of cancer, too.

Should I be worried? How and what can I do to make sure I stay healthy? I'm really trying but I'm in low moods and I've never really done exercise in my life because I'm a stubborn so and so.

Second thing is, I'm in care and only out to my two keyworkers and one other member of staff, none of the 5 children here. I've decided to make a leap in my social transition, and have asked if all staff could call me Oz or Ozzy. I've also asked about referring to me as a He. My keyworker has to conform with my camhs worker that it's okay, then they will start. Although I'm happy and it's amazing, I'm getting quite anxious and scared. Can anyone offer a bit of comfort with that? Social transition is scary... I don't want to come across as weird by the other children for doing this, but being called my birthname and a she is like stabbing me each time.

[Elis]

You're more likely to have stuff wrong with your cardiovascular system once you start T. Cis men are at greater risk than women so it's normal. As long as you have regular blood tests done there's nothing to worry about when taking T . It's good that you're starting to excersise now. On T you tend to gain a bit of weight; how much depends on genetics though. I'm lazy myself so haven't been doing as much exercise as I probably should  .

It's definitely a nerve wracking experience when asking people to use your real name and pronouns. And to be honest it will feel awkward for a while. Just remember how awful it made you feel when people referred to you as female and the awkward feeling will ebb away

Btw; it's kinda a good thing the children will know that you're trans. At least maybe then they will understand trans people better and not grow up to be potentially trans phobic. Just a thought.

I hope it goes well for you

[FTMax]

That is a question for your doctor. I was told that it was important to maintain good cardiovascular health because men are generally at a higher risk for heart-related issues. So getting more active now is definitely a step in the right direction. As far as blood clots, I was told that T had an anti-clotting effect, and my doctor's questions were more about whether or not I currently had a bleeding disorder that could potentially be made worse with T.

In general, eat right and try to do 30 minutes of straight activity per day, whether that is just walking around your neighborhood or something more intense. Like Elis said, T can cause some guys to gain weight and being overweight on T will be unfavorable in terms of masculinization as well as your health overall. Definitely start slow with the exercise if it isn't something you're used to doing. It is easy to hurt yourself early on or overdo it and lose the desire to start again.

I had very few issues with socially transitioning. There were a few people I stopped talking to prior to coming out because I knew they would never get it. There were only 2 relatives that refused to get on board, so I cut them off as well. IME, kids are easy. Just tell them what you want them to do and why and they do it.

[Randi]

Although I'm MTF and now estrogen based, I spent 5 years or so taking testostrone cypionate shots.  Before HRT my T levels were 150 ng/dL on a 300-100 scale. I was diagnosed with hypogonadism.   I experienced 3 problems.

1. High hemoglobin and red blood cell count.  In layman's terms "thick blood". I've been told this can lead to blood clots and stroke.  The solution was to donate blood 2 or 3 times a year.  If hemoglobin goes over 18, the blood bank can't use it.  The blood bank will test your hemoglobin, and it should be between 14-18.

2. Sleep apnea.  I would wake several times a night gasping for air.  At times I had to get out of bed and sleep in a recliner chair.  After I cut back on the T, this didn't happen.

3. Conversion of testosterone to estradiol through the action of the aromatase enzyme. (the reverse, conversion of estrogen to testosterone, is chemically impossible) When I was tested, my estradiol level was 80 pg/mL.  For men this should have been 10-40 pg/mL.

I ended up with estrogen levels higher than a man and lower than a woman.  My T levels were higher than a woman and lower than a man.

The increased estradiol level had a bizarre result.  I really liked the way the estradiol made me feel.  I also started developing breasts and my nipples were erect nearly all the time.  That started me down the path to become female.

Of course for FTM's, T will lead to a hairy body, bald head and enlarged clitoris. Hopefully that's what you want.

[Kylo]

T supposedly increases blood cell count so that's one reason for increased risk of clots - thicker blood.

To stay healthy in light of T I would suggest trying to maintain a healthy weight if you aren't, stay away from salt because there's enough of it in normal food and it only increases blood pressure in junk food amounts... and blood pressure puts you at all sorts of cardiovascular risks if it is too high, like strokes. Try to exercise or at least do some stretches if not full on exercise to get the blood flowing. Being sedentary and not moving around much is bad for your health. It's easy to sit there and think it won't affect you, but I'm sitting here now after thinking the same thing and I wish I wasn't and had taken it more seriously before it got serious. Now I have pre-hypertension and feel like my head's gonna explode any moment.

I got told anyway that I would need to get more in shape and reduce blood pressure if they were going to even give me T.

[Gilbert Rose]

T supposedly increases blood cell count so that's one reason for increased risk of clots - thicker blood.

To stay healthy in light of T I would suggest trying to maintain a healthy weight if you aren't, stay away from salt because there's enough of it in normal food and it only increases blood pressure in junk food amounts... and blood pressure puts you at all sorts of cardiovascular risks if it is too high, like strokes. Try to exercise or at least do some stretches if not full on exercise to get the blood flowing. Being sedentary and not moving around much is bad for your health. It's easy to sit there and think it won't affect you, but I'm sitting here now after thinking the same thing and I wish I wasn't and had taken it more seriously before it got serious. Now I have pre-hypertension and feel like my head's gonna explode any moment.

I got told anyway that I would need to get more in shape and reduce blood pressure if they were going to even give me T.

I'm underweight and trying to sort that out. Thank you for telling me about staying away from salt, I wouldn't of thought about that. I'm a noob when it comes to exercise, I have no idea what to do, or even how to do it...