Dealing with low T

[silliemunkie]

So this goes against what I'm trying to accomplish, but I've hit a wall. Over the past year my energy level has been dropping, and it finally got to the point where getting up, and going to work was close to impossible. Changing my diet, and more sleep helped for a bit, but the symptoms steadily got worse. My doctor ran a large range of blood test, and my T level was 247 ng/dL. The norm should be somewhere in the 500's for my age. I reluctantly agreed to a shot to see if a boost in my level would make a difference. After a couple of days, my energy returned, and i felt much better. Long term this is probably not a solution, but I'm feeling trapped at the moment.

Anyone else dealt with a similar situation?

[Cimara]

If you are MtF and you intend to transition I would think adding testosterone would be the last thing you would want to do.

[Dee Marshall]

If you have enough of either T or E you won't feel tired, or so has been my experience. Have you begun HRT? Does your doctor know you're transgender?

:

April 22, 2015, the day of my first face to face pass in gender neutral clothes and no makeup. It may be months to the next one, but I'm good with that!

Being transgender is just a phase. It hardly ever starts before conception and always ends promptly at death.

They say the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. I say, climb aboard!

Think outside the voice box!

[Devlyn]

My baseline was 115 and anyone who knows me will tell you that I bounce around like a superball! I think your energy issue is something else.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Randi]

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed as hypogonadic, low T. My complaint was that even if I had a full night's sleep if I sat down in a comfortable chair, I couldn't stay awake.  I felt lethargic and just couldn't get going. The doctor, when describing my problem and the effects of low T actually said "We're talking about a sex change here".  I started testosterone injections.

Well, the Testosterone helped immensely. I began walking, first just around the block and gradually worked up to 5-7 miles at a time.  I was going to two consecutive water aerobics classes and then doing a full hour on the elliptical exercise machine.

In addition to the high hemoglobin (thick blood), and in increase in gender dysphoria, I found about aromatase.  Aromatase is an enzyme, often present in fat cells.  Aromatase converts testosterone to to estradiol, the most potent of estrogens.  My estradiol level was 80 on a male scale of 0-50, before I added in an exogenous estradiol.

Six months after starting T, the estradiol kicked in.  My nipples were erect all the time, and I could feel my breasts swelling.  I've gotta say that growing breasts was a very pleasant experience.

Psychologist Anne Vitale wrote of the effect SOME men experience of increased dysphoria due to testosterone.  http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm   

I knew that some sort of sex hormone is necessary for health and well being.  Over the next few years, I gradually cut back on the testosterone and began using estrogen.  I started with Estrogel and then added in injections of estradiol valerate.

I had my T levels measured a few years later and they were effectively zero.  I still take an occasional shot of testosterone. Healthy women have SOME testosterone.  Zero is not a good level.

So here I am 10 years after that diagnosis of hypogonadism.  I've grown substantial breasts, very little body hair, smooth skin and a butt of nearly Kardashian proportions.  I'm mostly bald, and usually dress androgynously.  I'm not into makeup and wigs.  I've attended a few transexual group meetings. Before I told my story I think many assumed that I was FTM, and I can't blame them.

I should also note that my mother was given DES while carrying me, and I've never felt very male.

I'm not certain that there are any lessons to be learned from my experience.  There ARE aromatase inhibitors that are given to women with breast cancer.  If I had taken those along with the T, I might have remained male.

The bottom line: Hormones are very powerful and can change your sex.

Randi
   

[Harley Quinn]

Low T or E will get you feeling sluggish. You just have to get your levels to where you're comfortable. Granted MTF section, so assuming that you are wishing for estrogen. If your T is low, cool. Then it's a good time to persue Estrogen. You'll get some of your energy back from E. However, if E is not something you're prepared to start, then T will definitely give you a boost. It won't really hurt you if you have already been through puberty and have taken on the more masculine traits. The main thing is that your health and well-being come first. If T is what you need now, I wouldn't hesitate.

[silliemunkie]

Low T or E will get you feeling sluggish. You just have to get your levels to where you're comfortable. Granted MTF section, so assuming that you are wishing for estrogen. If your T is low, cool. Then it's a good time to persue Estrogen. You'll get some of your energy back from E. However, if E is not something you're prepared to start, then T will definitely give you a boost. It won't really hurt you if you have already been through puberty and have taken on the more masculine traits. The main thing is that your health and well-being come first. If T is what you need now, I wouldn't hesitate.

I'm way past the puberty stage, and never really took on any super masculine traits. I can grow a beard, but I have a really young boyish face, which helps.

Being in conservative Texas, finding a good doctor has been tough. My primary care will not provide any HRT, so I was forced to look for someone else. I found a nurse practitioner who will prescribe me estradiol, which has been a huge help. I have a follow-up in a couple of weeks, and we are going to discuss how to improve the sluggishness, and get my energy back. Seems like I need to hang on, and have a little patience.

[silliemunkie]

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed as hypogonadic, low T. My complaint was that even if I had a full night's sleep if I sat down in a comfortable chair, I couldn't stay awake.  I felt lethargic and just couldn't get going. The doctor, when describing my problem and the effects of low T actually said "We're talking about a sex change here".  I started testosterone injections.

Well, the Testosterone helped immensely. I began walking, first just around the block and gradually worked up to 5-7 miles at a time.  I was going to two consecutive water aerobics classes and then doing a full hour on the elliptical exercise machine.

In addition to the high hemoglobin (thick blood), and in increase in gender dysphoria, I found about aromatase.  Aromatase is an enzyme, often present in fat cells.  Aromatase converts testosterone to to estradiol, the most potent of estrogens.  My estradiol level was 80 on a male scale of 0-50, before I added in an exogenous estradiol.

Six months after starting T, the estradiol kicked in.  My nipples were erect all the time, and I could feel my breasts swelling.  I've gotta say that growing breasts was a very pleasant experience.

Psychologist Anne Vitale wrote of the effect SOME men experience of increased dysphoria due to testosterone.  http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm   

I knew that some sort of sex hormone is necessary for health and well being.  Over the next few years, I gradually cut back on the testosterone and began using estrogen.  I started with Estrogel and then added in injections of estradiol valerate.

I had my T levels measured a few years later and they were effectively zero.  I still take an occasional shot of testosterone. Healthy women have SOME testosterone.  Zero is not a good level.

So here I am 10 years after that diagnosis of hypogonadism.  I've grown substantial breasts, very little body hair, smooth skin and a butt of nearly Kardashian proportions.  I'm mostly bald, and usually dress androgynously.  I'm not into makeup and wigs.  I've attended a few transexual group meetings. Before I told my story I think many assumed that I was FTM, and I can't blame them.

I should also note that my mother was given DES while carrying me, and I've never felt very male.

I'm not certain that there are any lessons to be learned from my experience.  There ARE aromatase inhibitors that are given to women with breast cancer.  If I had taken those along with the T, I might have remained male.

The bottom line: Hormones are very powerful and can change your sex.

Randi
   

You have described almost everything I'm feeling, and given me quite a bit information to think about. I have a follow-up with a nurse practitioner in a couple of weeks, and we are going to discuss adjusting my prescription for E.

[silliemunkie]

If you have enough of either T or E you won't feel tired, or so has been my experience. Have you begun HRT? Does your doctor know you're transgender?

:

April 22, 2015, the day of my first face to face pass in gender neutral clothes and no makeup. It may be months to the next one, but I'm good with that!

Being transgender is just a phase. It hardly ever starts before conception and always ends promptly at death.

They say the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. I say, climb aboard!

Think outside the voice box!

My primary care knows, but is not supportive. So, I've been looking for someone else, and have seen a nurse practitioner who prescribed my E. I supposed it's going to take time to get the right dosage, and bring back my energy

[Saskia_F]

Being at an E level of 223 pmol/l and a T level of 0.7 nmol/l I also feel that subtle fatigue all the time.

Getting up is less of a problem since I've been experiencing sleep disturbances that makes me getting up too early most of the time. I would definitely not want to boost Testosterone. There must me another solution other than going back where I was. You should talk to your endocrinologist as to what the most convenient dose for your body would be.

[KayXo]

Being at an E level of 223 pmol/l and a T level of 0.7 nmol/l I also feel that subtle fatigue all the time.

Getting up is less of a problem since I've been experiencing sleep disturbances that makes me getting up too early most of the time. I would definitely not want to boost Testosterone. There must me another solution other than going back where I was. You should talk to your endocrinologist as to what the most convenient dose for your body would be.

At E 223 pmol/L, you are most likely not getting enough to compensate for the loss of T and low T values. You need to discuss this with your doctor. Perhaps, the fatigue is temporary though...