Post Op Taking T

[Rachel]

Hi, I am post op 2 years and have been taking T on and off. I initially went on T at 3 months post op and when my T was measured at 6 months post op it was 86 ng/dl so I stopped. Then about 3 months ago I restarted T. I take a dab every other day and my T was less than 3 ng/dl (test goes down to 3 ng/dl).

I am taking T every morning now, just a dab. I am getting 10 or 12 dabs out of a packet. I believe trans men take 2 packets a day. So I am 1/24 or 1/20 a man (LOL) dose.

I will not see my doctor until April 2019 and I was wondering what other woman do for T replacement. What levels of T do you shoot for? Dr. McGinn recommended 39 ng/dl.

T is important in the body for bone, healing and libido. I do notice a little increase in libido. If I was less then 3 ng/dl then doubling the T would most likely still mean my T is still very low. I am afraid of getting too much T. My hair looks really good now and I do not want to mess that up and I do not want muscle bulk ( I have started back up in the gym). So far the muscle I put on is lean muscle and looks awesome. I even have some butt definition from spinning 3 times a week.

So I think I need to be consistent with the T and wait for the test results in April to definitively know my T. However, what are some rules of thumb?

[Dorit]

This is an interesting topic for me.  I am one year HRT and one month PRE-OP.   Just did my blood work and my testosterone is 11 ng/dl.   This does seem too low according to what you wrote.  I have an appointment with my endocrinologist next week.   So my question is did you find your testosterone level changed after you stopped taking a T-blocker post-op?  Thanks!

[AnneK]

I thought you didn't need T, if you were on E.

[Devlyn]

With my T factories removed (orchiectomy), my T level from my adrenal glands is 53 ng/dL. A lot of transwomen feel validated by the exceptionally low T levels achievable on blockers, but it's not a healthy place to be. At least in the opinion of my doctor, and myself.*

*I'm not a doctor.... but she is! 

[Kendra]

My T levels were tested half week before GCS, 142ng/dl.  I was on E six months before GCS, never a T blocker. 
Checked T three times post-GCS, average 14 ng/dl.  I'd like to bump it up just slightly. 

My endocrinologist is hesitant to have me add T - she has had other MTF patients overshoot target levels.  So she prescribed DHEA which is the building block for both E and T.  I'll have additional numbers a couple months from now.

[Dena]

My T levels have only been tested once, 3 year ago and the lab showed 36 ng/dL. This is midway between the normal values of 6 and 86 for a CIS women. I don't see any reason to tamper with the levels. To be honest, I think that my T was tested to confirm that I was post surgical as I didn't have a physical examination so she only had my word to go on. She also mentioned that my levels were low enough that I didn't need Spiro. I would hope so after all I did to get where I am today. 

[Rachel]

Hi,

I was on HRT 2.5 years before GCS.

My T on low dose  blockers ( spiro)  and E pre-op took me to 20 ng/dl about 1 month on HRT. It dropped to 12 at about 6 months and below detection (3 ng/dl) after that (from memory). I am 2 years post op and I had a difficult time wrapping my head around going on T. I was on it briefly and went to 80 ng/dl and I went off T. If I would have cut the dose in half it would have been perfect.

I went on Travada just in case I was to have sex. That can soften bone so the doctor insisted I dab a little T every other day. My T stayed below detection. I went off Travada as I am pretty sure I will never be with someone ever again. Plus my doctor said I could take 2 pills 1 hour (better 24 hours) before sex and 1 pill the next day and I would be safe.

So I am off travada and my T was below 3 ng/dl with an every other day dab of T. I feel better and stronger. It may be from spinning 4 days a week and rucking 5.5 miles with 85 pounds in a backpack. I have never felt better in my life. I switched to a dab of T every day. I am sure I am very low in T, perhaps still below 3 ng/dl. I will find out in April.

My prostate is non-existent and I do not have the past symptoms of T so I must be very very low. Anyhow, I just wanted to see how others deal with T supplements and what levels they shoot for. As Dr. McGinn recommended I am going to shoot for 36 ng/dl.

T is an important factor in bone health and libido.

[Dorit]

I just returned from my endocrinology appointment.   The doctor thought my testosterone level of 11 ng/dl was just fine.   Some do consider it below normal female level, but not her.   I asked about post-op testosterone supplements, and her reply was neither herself nor any of her post-op patients thought it was necessary.    I have a new appointment for two months post-op in February, I am very curious to see what my levels will be then.

[HappyMoni]

Related to this is the taking of products for hair preservation. I had a hair transplant and it was recommended I take Finasteride. When I told them I was taking T, they recommended Dutasteride instead. They said it worked better with T. Unfortunately my insurance wouldn't pay for it so I pay out of pocket. Luckily it is not that expensive.

[KayXo]

Since 2 years ago, I started adding some T to see what (if any) positive effects it might have as I've been struggling for years with low energy/interest in life. I'm post-op since 2005 and I have been on estrogen alone or with progesterone, at low, medium and high doses.

I started with gel (Androgel) and recently switched to injections (T. Cypionate) which I prefer for its effects. I will admit that, despite taking some T, I still somewhat struggle with low energy/interest although at least now, there are days, here and there, where I feel an improvement but it's not constant. Mood is also overall, slightly better but still not where I'd like it to be. My skin has significantly improved since T. It's never dry, very moist and has some bounce to it. It shines. My vagina is also rarely dry these days, is so tender/elastic, lubricates plenty. My libido has significantly increased and I like it! I can now reach orgasms just with my clitoris and touching my nipples has become somewhat arousing. I also ejaculate a good amount. My memory (finding/retrieving words) has also gotten better. And my cellulite....OMG, has MAJORLY improved, none on my thighs, much much less on my buttocks. I lost some weight too and my body looks better. Hair gets oily faster so I need to wash every 3-4 days instead of weekly. No other side-effects.

p.s.: since switching over to a new compounding pharmacy for my estradiol valerate IM injections, a few weeks ago, I have surprisingly noticed further improvements in my skin, hair (thicker, fuller, softer) and my interest in life as well as energy have improved somewhat significantly. My appetite has also increased.  I take a HIGH dose of estradiol and inject frequently. I also supplement with Estrogel, all under the supervision of a doctor who is well versed in the matter and gives me freedom to try.

I don't aim for a level but instead titrate dose according to physical/psychological symptoms. Every individual is different and intracellular concentrations cannot be had with blood tests.