HRT Advice

[sigmafan]

Although I am not a FTM, I figured this would be a good as place as any to ask questions about it.

I have been diagnosed with super-low testosterone.  My level is 1/3rd that of what it should be.  So, my doctor is going to send me to a endocrinologist and more than likely, he will prescribe me Testosterone shots or a testosterone patch, which since I'm state insured, it looks like I'll be getting the shots.  My question to you guys is how do I go about doing all of the shots and what should I look out for when it comes to changes, physically and mentally and chemically to my body when I start doing this.

If this is the wrong place, then if the moderators can put this in the right place, then it would be greatly appreciated.

[Logan1986]

As far as the how part goes I would assume that your doctor will show you how to do the shots and when you order your T you'll be able to do it at home by yourself. When I first started the nurse showed me on an orange and then had me practice till I felt comfortable enough to do it myself at home. Of course if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself they'll definitely do it for you. I'm just a little north of you in Seattle so I guess that our experiences with ordering T will be similar. I go through stroheckers online pharmacy. It cost about $60 and last for a few months (but that depends on your dose). If you go through stroheckers your doctor just needs to fax in your prescription and then they'll call you for payment and shipping info. I'm sure there are other places you can get T but I don't know much about them.

[sigmafan]

Cool, thank you.  It's cool to see a poster that's within striking distance from here via the buses.  I will more than likely be receiving it from a local pharmacy that my doctor will tell me sells it for dirt cheap.  I just hope that the sensations that come with it can be quelled by myself and that the mood swings don't get worse.

[Logan1986]

I started out on a reasonably low dose compared to all of my friends and as far as mood swings go mine were non-existant. At the beginning it's a little bit of guessing to see what works. Some guys do better on big doses spread over longer times and some do better on smaller doses more frequently. I'm sure once the doc figures out what'll work the best for you it'll be smooth sailing!
on a side note because you're in the area, have you tried country doctor? they know a lot about hormones there because they see a lot of trans patients and operate on a sliding scale. i've been there while unemployed and my entire visit cost $15, which got discounted because I paid in cash. it's on capitol hill so it might be a few bus rides for you but it's always nice to have a backup if needed.

[sigmafan]

I will keep that in mind.  So, yay for backups.  I might have to check that out if my first couple of plans fail.  And that would be 3 bus rides, the 1 to downtown Tacoma, the 594 to Seattle and the 10 to Capitol Hill.  So, I'm sure it'll be figured out long before then.  I must say though, you look quite good in that picture.

[M.Grimm]

The shots are likely to be intramuscular, which is a large needle. It nearly put me off doing self-injection, but it's honestly not bad. The nurse had me watch as he did the first shot for me in the side of my thigh, and gave me a packet with detailed instructions. If you're feeling uncertain, ask if you can have the nurse or doctor watch you as you inject the first time to make sure you're doing it correctly.

I can only speak about my own changes, but mentally it smoothed out my mood swings completely and also cooled my temper down significantly. My aggression cooled way down and I have a much easier time focusing on any given situation. Also, now that my emotions are in control I'm also in greater touch with them, and I'm finding it's easier for me to let go of decades-long repression; that is to say, I can actually really feel things now, whereas before I stifled everything.

[Logan1986]

I will keep that in mind.  So, yay for backups.  I might have to check that out if my first couple of plans fail.  And that would be 3 bus rides, the 1 to downtown Tacoma, the 594 to Seattle and the 10 to Capitol Hill.  So, I'm sure it'll be figured out long before then.  I must say though, you look quite good in that picture.

thanks