How long will I be on a low dose of T?

[Carson]

My therapist just told me that Dr. McGinn puts one on a low dose of T to make sure that one's body is able to handle it for medical reasons. I can understand this but at the same time I am desperate for changes Even though I will be very grateful for just that low dose I was wondering if any one had any experience with this and could tell me how long it might be until I am on a full dose?

[Nero]

I was on a low dose at first. a fourth dose the first two weeks, then half the next two, then full the fifth week.

[Arch]

I started at the full dose, but my buddy was at one quarter dose for a few months before he went up to half a dose. He's a small guy, though, so three-quarters of a dose might wind up being his max. I know another guy who was at something like 40% for months and months. He might still be.

But both had existing health problems. One is bipolar and the other has some mental health issues as well.

When do you see the doc?

[myles]

I was scheduled for 6 weeks on low dose, went 7 becasue I was out of town.  I think that is a pretty common amount of time. The time was pure hell for me, I felt like I was stuck between genders, got my period and so forth. All changed and my changes really started when I moved to full dose.
Congrats
Andrew/Myles

[Chamillion]

I think it varies a lot.  I was on a half dose the first month, then moved up to 75% of the 'standard dose'.  I'm still on that and I've been on T 6 and a half months.  I really wanna move up to the full dose soon but my doctor hasn't mentioned it 

[Carson]

I see Dr.McGinn on December 3rd. I am really small too (like 110 pounds) but I don't want that to be a reason that I have to be on a low dose. But I don't have any health problems. I don't mind if it's for a few weeks. Even a month or 2 but anything more than that I don't know...

[Radar]

I was started on a lower dose and it was gradually increased. I reached the dose I'm staying at after about 2-2 1/2 months after starting.

[Arch]

I see Dr.McGinn on December 3rd. I am really small too (like 110 pounds) but I don't want that to be a reason that I have to be on a low dose. But I don't have any health problems.

I know a few guys with no underlying health problems who started at a low dose. A couple took a few months to get up to a full dose, and a couple took several weeks only, like four to six weeks. It varies.

I know one guy who initially said he wanted to start with a low dose, and he did. Then, when he'd been on T for a few months, he started complaining that he'd NEVER wanted to be on a low dose but the endo was intentionally holding him back. I don't know what his dosage is now, but his case seems to have been exceptional. I think that if he'd asked for the full dose, he would have been up there in a matter of weeks.

You don't have too long to wait before you see the doc. I went in with a written list of questions--you might want to do that, too, if you have any other issues besides dosage. It's a smart strategy. Sometimes people get so excited that they forget about everything but the first injection!

Good luck.

[Carson]

Thanks everyone, all of your answers were very helpful. And I will do that Arch, thanks, I think I'll start writing down questions this week. My mind will hopefully hit all the major topics at some point over the span of 2 weeks.

[myles]

Agree with what Arch suggested, bring a list of questions. When my Doc said I needed to start on a half dose I asked why and for how long. That way I knew how long. Unfortunately I forgot to write it down and so I was panicked until I went back because I forgot what she said. I was just so excited. Definitely ask for and set a timeline. It's your care and you need to know what is going on.
Congrats
Andrew

[Radar]

Asking about a deadline is a good idea, but my endo goes off changes and how you feel before raising the dosage. So, the progress/timeline may not be set in stone depending on how you react to the T.

[Ender]

How long you're on a low dose seems to depend a lot on what your doctor's 'common practice' happens to be.  Some doctors think that it's smart to start on a low dose to 'ease' their patients into the T and check for any adverse reactions.  If you have one of these doctors, they're probably unlikely to change their methods.  I like Myles' advice: get a timeline so you know when your dosages will be increased (provided you don't have any adverse reactions).

Other doctors just start their patients off on the full dose and keep a close eye on blood test results.  This is what my doctor did, and it worked just fine.

[J.T.]

It is very smart to start out on a low dose.  I know you're anxious, but health is most important.

I have been on T for 1.5 years and i am not on full dosage.  I doubt i ever will be.