Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm curious to know what each of you here experienced when deciding to transition. Was it an easy decision, or were there things that made the decision difficult?

To tell you a little about myself I am currently not transitioning, but I'm planning to start this summer. I have always had low T problems and it has caught up to me in terms of weight, so I'm on T currently to try and boost my metabolism and burn off some pounds. (Good thing about synthetic T is it will help shrink my testicals and make future T production naturally lower)

I have come to the realization that deep down I am a female, & that I have always desired to have a body to match what my brain and emotions are telling me. The problem is, there are many things that are making the decision to let go of my male body difficult. For example, while I have always been "soft" emotionally (I cried during a move just the other night), I have always liked many of the aspects of having a male body. For example, I have always enjoyed sports, working on cars, hiking, camping, & just getting dirty in general. I never presented myself as an effeminate male, since I never saw my body in that way. I guess I'm just a tomboy at heart ;D

The other thing that gives me hesitation in deciding to go all the way with my transition is I'm just now making headway in my chosen career field, & someday I have dreams of working for the government in a high level position, or potentially running for office.

I feel that while my body should match the inner me, doing so would limit what i could accomplish in my lifetime. If being forced to continue presenting myself as a male is the only way that I can accomplish something great, that's a sacrifice I might be willing to make, especially if it puts me in a position to help further the aspirations of other transgender men & women.

At this point I have pretty much decided to give hrt a 3-6 month trial run, but I'm not sure if I should just stick to a low dose over a period of time to minimize the effects of lack of estrogen, or just stop cold turkey after 3-6 months. I'm not worried about my T levels being a problem. My doctor has diagnosed me with having T for many years (last reading was 195), & I know testicular atrophy will cause that drop even lower. I do understand that after 3-6 months there will be things that will not go away when I stop taking estrogen (breasts), but I also understand that unless I experience some massive breast growth, I should be able to continue presenting myself as a man, even after being on estrogen for up to 6 months.

What would you ladies suggest I do in terms of full time vs part time transitioning?

Hugs & Kisses,
Dana

You are really the only person who can make that decision for yourself. Just as you have your list of pros and cons, so have all of us at some time had to weigh up our individual benefits and sacrifices. There will always be some of both and how they all balance out can never be discerned until transition is actually well underway. If you had told me three years ago I could be living happily as a woman I would have laughed mockingly and disbelievingly at you. Anyway, it's always a case of taking it one step at a time. Three years ago I couldn't have gotten to where I am now in one fell swoop... it took three years with many incremental decisions and actions and changes (both physical, emotional and fashion wise) along the way.

I sense that you have presented to us the reasons why you should not transition.

To decide to go ahead is not a rational decision based on pros and cons, it is a decision you feel compelled to make regardless of what reason might say.  If you do not feel that compulsion, do not start.

All of your career goals can be as easily accomplished by women as by men.  If you do not think so then you should not put yourself in what you perceive to be a weaker position.  I appreciate your long range planning, but regardless of gender it is what you are going to do in the next five years that really counts, and will determine how far you get in a career.

After 6 months on HRT, it is not that you cannot go back -- you will not want to go back.  By that time you will have been able to glimpse a world that I suspect you not now know exists, and you will want to move forward within that world regardless.

This is the time to listen to your heart, not your head.  There is never a rational reason for transitioning -- you just must do it to retain your sanity, or you do not feel that compulsion.  Just being curious about the other side of the gender divide without feeling the real need to make the switch is not a good enough reason to start down that road.

Quote from: XKimX on January 31, 2016, 05:27:28 PM

After 6 months on HRT, it is not that you cannot go back -- you will not want to go back.  By that time you will have been able to glimpse a world that I suspect you not now know exists, and you will want to move forward within that world regardless.

This is the time to listen to your heart, not your head.  There is never a rational reason for transitioning -- you just must do it to retain your sanity, or you do not feel that compulsion.  Just being curious about the other side of the gender divide without feeling the real need to make the switch is not a good enough reason to start down that road.

Whew.... this is exactly what I needed to hear today, thank you :)

Transitioning was both the hardest and the easiest decision I have ever made. It was easy from the standpoint that it was transition or die. It was difficult because of the possibility of losing everything that was dear to me. The carnage from my transition wasn't pretty, but if I were presented with the same circumstances a second time, I'd probably do it all over again.


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In terms of women being capable of the same things as men I completely agree. I do not feel that women are the "weaker" sex & apologize if that is the impression I left you with. What I meant was that when you transition and people see you as a transgender woman, a part of their brain that was willing to listen to you and what you have to say shuts down. Human reason & logic can't make it past someone who is completely unwilling to consider your point of view. By going all the way with a transition, I would place myself in a position where I would be limiting the audience I could reach. Not exactly beneficial to someone who wants a life in the public eye.

I guess what I was trying to say is that I'm considering a part time transition with low does estrogen, not a full transition. I do get what you were saying though about seeing things in a different light.

I think one of my biggest fears is that once I stop I will be so happy, I won't be able to bring myself to stop without being miserable afterwards.

It's not that I care what people think of me, its just that I have people that depend on me, & I can't let them down. Not without experiencing considerable guilt.

I have spent this whole week unable to stayed focused, sleep, or function properly thinking about this. It just seems that it took me 35 years to put it all together and come to this conclusion. I am a woman on the inside. It just seems that maybe I found myself too late to make a full transition, without potentially blowing up everything I have built to this point.

Thanks to each of you for positing and providing your insight. I'm finding that this road to discovery is a bumpy one, & it's not full of the easiest decisions to make

Quote from: allisonsteph on January 31, 2016, 05:54:07 PM
Transitioning was both the hardest and the easiest decision I have ever made. It was easy from the standpoint that it was transition or die. It was difficult because of the possibility of losing everything that was dear to me. The carnage from my transition wasn't pretty, but if I were presented with the same circumstances a second time, I'd probably do it all over again.


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I think that's what makes this all so difficult for me. If I had started transitioning in my 20's when I first felt these emotions, things would have been less complicated. Now that I have waited so long, carnage seems to be the only outcome of a decision to transition full time.

I have a daughter that I care about deeply, & a wife that while we are not sexually intimate, I do care about her on a personal level.

If I could spare either of them the pain that would potentially come from a full time transition, then I would choose their well being over my own.

The only possible solution that doesn't leave anyone hurt is a part time transition. I'm thinking at this point I can transition enough that the effects can be blamed off on testicular atrophy, & quitting my testosterone injections.

From what I have read, hiding anything above a b cup will be impossible, so depending on how well estrogen takes to my body and breasts grow, I might not be on it long.

You can be transgender without transitioning, too. It's all about finding the place where you're comfortable.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 31, 2016, 06:39:52 PM
You can be transgender without transitioning, too. It's all about finding the place where you're comfortable.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

Thanks Devlyn. I think that's somewhat the conclusion I'm coming to. Everyone has that different point that makes them feel complete. Whether it be non-transition, part time transition, or full time transition. For me, I just need to find that place of peace for myself.

It took several years but I finally couldn't continue living as a guy anymore. Felt wrong, VERY wrong. I had no choice in the matter. I went all the way! No regrets. :) Despite obstacles and what not.

Quote from: KayXo on January 31, 2016, 09:52:19 PM
It took several years but I finally couldn't continue living as a guy anymore. Felt wrong, VERY wrong. I had no choice in the matter. I went all the way! No regrets. :) Despite obstacles and what not.

I just know how I am as a person. I'm very emotional and tender hearted. To know that I was hurting others, would really depress me.

Just out of curiosity. I already have breast tissue, small feet, & little body hair. I've always had low t for years, without really knowing about it. How long do you think I could go before people would really notice? I'd love to grow a pair of size D boobs, but I know I wouldn't ever be able to hide them.

Also, any suggestions on things I can do with my hair (always had military style cut), & my clothing to not make the breast & body fat growth I will experience noticeable.

Also, I've read on other sites about aromatization, where the body continues feminizing after stopping estrogen. Is that true? I haven't found any scientific evidence to suggest it is, unless that person already had estrogen excess syndrome.

I feel nervous that if I stop at a size B, that they might keep growing without assistance.

Quote from: Adchop on January 31, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
I just know how I am as a person. I'm very emotional and tender hearted. To know that I was hurting others, would really depress me.

Just out of curiosity. I already have breast tissue, small feet, & little body hair. I've always had low t for years, without really knowing about it. How long do you think I could go before people would really notice? I'd love to grow a pair of size D boobs, but I know I wouldn't ever be able to hide them.

Also, any suggestions on things I can do with my hair (always had military style cut), & my clothing to not make the breast & body fat growth I will experience noticeable.

Also, I've read on other sites about aromatization, where the body continues feminizing after stopping estrogen. Is that true? I haven't found any scientific evidence to suggest it is, unless that person already had estrogen excess syndrome.

I feel nervous that if I stop at a size B, that they might keep growing without assistance.

Hiding transition shouldn't be a huge problem. Male clothes and a five o'clock shadow will keep your male persona going. Unpadded sports bra or tight fitting tank top under your clothes do a wonderful job minimizing cleavage.

As for hair, you can easily go to a pixie cut and style it masculine or feminine. There are loads of options with shorter hair. Just part it to the side and you have a male haircut. Clothing, well... I'd suggest baggier clothing. Straight leg jeans, and hoodies are good options. Denim jackets work well. Button down flannels. Having patterns on your shirt will break up what silhouette you might be left with after you get into questionable territory with a sports bra.

I dont quite understand the last part. Transition is kind of a lifetime endeavor. You can stop estrogen, but you're going to need a hormone either T, or E... otherwise you'll be in to a menopausal state. So stopping after a B cup confused me.

You're going to grow breasts as long as you're on Estrogen. They will get as large as they're going be... not much control over that. Plastic surgery is really the only way to pick your breast size.

Going off estrogen will affect your skin, hair, body hair, pores, fat distribution etc... your breast tissue will stay but the other feminization qualities that you received from HRT will revert. Hope it helps.

Quote from: Adchop on January 31, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
I've read on other sites about aromatization, where the body continues feminizing after stopping estrogen. Is that true? I haven't found any scientific evidence to suggest it is, unless that person already had estrogen excess syndrome.

Not true. You need to take estrogen forever; otherwise, you will suffer physically and psychologically. You won't have much T to aromatize to E anyways.

The decision to transition was the hardest decision I have made in life yet.

Quote from: Adchop on January 31, 2016, 03:24:02 PM
To tell you a little about myself I am currently not transitioning, but I'm planning to start this summer. I have always had low T problems and it has caught up to me in terms of weight, so I'm on T currently to try and boost my metabolism and burn off some pounds. (Good thing about synthetic T is it will help shrink my testicals and make future T production naturally lower)

Low T is a symptom of liver disease, which can occur if you are overweight. Have you checked for that? It can be quite serious (i.e. fatal). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is quite common.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-alcoholic_fatty_liver_disease

There's other drugs that can help if you have that, like metformin, but losing weight is the only real solution.

After read all the answer I had to agree very fascinate.

Transition could be either hard or easy depend each own person and setting, since no one is the same.  For a long time, I has been daze and confuse about whether I am a cross dresser or a transsexual person. Ever since I was 16 I had the feeling I was born in a wrong body. After I got caught with cross dressing my married was over, and I lost my house and children.  Lucky that I still had my job! Since I was on my own I begin to despair and confuse, and some time I just want to end it all to get over it. I finally found a support group in San Jose call South Bay TransWomen and friends, and I find out that I am not alone with my condition since other like me.

Recently I decide to take COmbine Gender Identity And Transsexuality Inventory (COGIATI) MtF test, and my result came back with Classification level 5 Transsexual with Gender Dysphoria problem. Now I will get to Gender Dysphoria program to seek for help.

Thanks for reading.  Luanne

Quote from: AnonyMs on February 01, 2016, 09:57:48 AM
Low T is a symptom of liver disease, which can occur if you are overweight. Have you checked for that? It can be quite serious (i.e. fatal). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is quite common.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-alcoholic_fatty_liver_disease

There's other drugs that can help if you have that, like metformin, but losing weight is the only real solution.

Losing weight by cutting down on carbohydrates as these are the reason why fatty liver occurs in the first place.

The ''decision'' ( not a decision imo) to transition was the hardest but also the easiest thing i had to do in my life. I transitionned the moment i couldnt keep coping with my male life anymore.  I had explored and tried everything to be a male knowing at the very begining i was not one. I spent all my energy, the fuel tank was empty and i just.. collapsed, accepted my failure and how things were really like.  Since the moment i accepted it,  everything was easy because i knew what i wanted for YEARS.   I knew everything about transition since i was a teenager so i am just going forward..  My therapist says that transitionning is making little step by little step until your feel comfortable with transition.. I am not  exactly doing this, i am doing rabbit steps, i am making it a  marathon, skipping all the useless stuff of questionning and doubts because i KNOW where i am going, i know who i am !

When i talk about it, i look so confident about my "decision" that none is questionning it.   

just giving example,
- i did not require any letter for FFS and BA early transition ( it is usually a requirement for early stage).
- My endo gave me my HRT medications without even having report from my therapist. He said that i will need to send it to him in the next few months however.

So yes i am confident with transition and  i know where i am going .  You must have no hesitation the day you begin your transition.

Quote from: AnonyMs on February 01, 2016, 09:57:48 AM
Low T is a symptom of liver disease, which can occur if you are overweight. Have you checked for that? It can be quite serious (i.e. fatal). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is quite common.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-alcoholic_fatty_liver_disease

There's other drugs that can help if you have that, like metformin, but losing weight is the only real solution.

I don't think I have a liver disease. My GP doctor did bloodwork and determined that my T level was 195, but he also said I had high triglycerides, & my cholesterol was high. He basically said my low T was due to be being over weight, & that I need to lose some pounds. Also told me that I need to cut out all carbs & sugar.

I have always been a stockier guy, due to weight lifting over the years, & even now I still have a broad chest & Shoulders. My biggest problem is belly fat, & fat on my breasts, & under my arm pits. I have started a strict low carb, no sugar diet with lots of lean meats, & fresh fruits/veggies. I'm currently 260, which I know will most likely decrease with muscle loss on estrogen, but I also want to cut down on fat levels as well. I'm ok with being a thicker girl, but I don't want to be obese.

Quote from: KayXo on January 31, 2016, 09:52:19 PM
It took several years but I finally couldn't continue living as a guy anymore. Felt wrong, VERY wrong. I had no choice in the matter. I went all the way! No regrets. :) Despite obstacles and what not.

I think I'm coming more to this point in my life. The last 5 years sex with my wife has felt like a job, more than something pleasurable. We have had sex probably twice in the past year. I always overcame my feelings by self medicating on mtf fictional stories, which I always brushed off as a fetish. Now I'm starting to realize more and more that my desire was something much deeper than a fetish. I've always known deep down that I've been a woman on the inside, just never realized how realistic it was to make the outside match without surgery.

I dont quite understand the last part. Transition is kind of a lifetime endeavor. You can stop estrogen, but you're going to need a hormone either T, or E... otherwise you'll be in to a menopausal state. So stopping after a B cup confused me.

You're going to grow breasts as long as you're on Estrogen. They will get as large as they're going be... not much control over that. Plastic surgery is really the only way to pick your breast size.

Going off estrogen will affect your skin, hair, body hair, pores, fat distribution etc... your breast tissue will stay but the other feminization qualities that you received from HRT will revert. Hope it helps.
[/quote]

Your right, if I do start transitioning, even on low does t I will always keep growing breasts. I had intended to try and transition as far as I could, while still being able to pass as a male. My plan was to take estrogen long enough to grow a feminine body, but not one that would be unable to pass for male. I'm plus size, so I could pass off breast growth as gynecomastia. I just have this odd feeling that If I start hrt my body will be the type that wins the genetic lottery and my breasts will grow quickly. Not a problem for most women here, but for someone like myself that would like to still be passable it could become a problem.

Also, while I want a feminine body, I don't want to kill my testes and cut off all T (essentially killing my libido). My T level is low enough now that I'm hoping that it won't cause massive reversals if I go off estrogen. I've suffered from low libidio the past 10 years, to the point that I have to get intimate to really want sex. I haven't had morning wood in years, not at least until my doctor put me on T. So what I'm saying is I'm ok with the drop in libidio that comes from hrt, just don't want a complete end to my sex drive.

Would cycling on and off estrogen still allow my body to produce enough T that I won't have to go full time on hrt?

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 01:10:36 PM

Would cycling on and off estrogen still allow my body to produce enough T that I won't have to go full time on hrt?

Going in and out of hormones will create more problems then anything else.  You need to be on hormones for a good moment before your T is low enough and that E actually do something so... you will get feminization the moment T is not dominent  but a consequence of this is lower libido...  HOWEVER for me orgasms after hormones are SO MUCH better then before transition it is wonderful.  I can only think about how good that will feel post-op.

I can still get wood when i want it ( on demand and when i am turned on) but no morning or random errection. ( i truly enjoy this to be honest)

Quote from: archlord on February 01, 2016, 01:16:42 PM
Going in and out of hormones will create more problems then anything else.  You need to be on hormones for a good moment before your T is low enough and that E actually do something so... you will get feminization the moment T is not dominent  but a consequence of this is lower libido...  HOWEVER for me orgasms after hormones are SO MUCH better then before transition it is wonderful.  I can only think about how good that will feel post-op.

I can still get wood when i want it ( on demand and when i am turned on) but no morning or random errection. ( i truly enjoy this to be honest)

From my understanding of the depo testosterone shot I'm on, the moment I stop taking the T, my T level will drop to next to nothing, since my testes will not be accustomed to producing its own T. That can give me a window of 1-3 months of little to no T production, which would mean that I would be estrogen dominant almost immediately.

If all of this is true, that should mean I will see results faster than most transitioning women, correct?

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 12:52:22 PM
I don't think I have a liver disease. My GP doctor did bloodwork and determined that my T level was 195, but he also said I had high triglycerides, & my cholesterol was high. He basically said my low T was due to be being over weight, & that I need to lose some pounds. Also told me that I need to cut out all carbs & sugar.

I don't think you can tell from those tests, although I think they both also suggest it as well. I believe what you need is  liver function tests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_function_tests

If your doctor has not done it I think you should make sure you get it done. Best make sure, doctors make plenty of mistakes.

Here's a recent paper. Some of its easy enough to understand, especially how common it is (and how bad).

NAFLD: A multisystem disease
http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278%2814%2900933-7/abstract
http://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278%2814%2900933-7/pdf

You might also find some doctors reluctant to prescribe estrogen with this. I think its more dangerous.

Great and informative post.

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Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 01:24:13 PM
From my understanding of the depo testosterone shot I'm on, the moment I stop taking the T, my T level will drop to next to nothing, since my testes will not be accustomed to producing its own T. That can give me a window of 1-3 months of little to no T production, which would mean that I would be estrogen dominant almost immediately.

If all of this is true, that should mean I will see results faster than most transitioning women, correct?

Unfortunately no, your body's ability to accept Estrogen, and your age will be the deciding factors. Having little T to begin with may mean that you haven't been overly masculinated which is good if you want to be feminine. The point of HRT is to floor our "T" production so you'd theoretically take different dosages to get to the same estrogen levels as anyone else. But female levels are female levels.

You need a sex hormone (testosterone or estrogen) in your body to avoid getting osteoporosis.

To answer the original question - the decision was both easy and agonizing. It was easy because I was working very hard on drinking myself to death and I simply did not care about anything else - it was a way to escape from the dysphoria and to escape from who I knew I was. It was agonizing because I had an idea of all of the things it was going to cost me if I transitioned so I just kept drinking.

Eventually my stomach was hurting all of the time and I was going to work still buzzed from the night before. I knew that I had reached a turning point and a decision had to be made - it was either to keep going down the dark path that led to a pine box, or transition and take my chances with my fate.

I chose to stay alive and transition. It was extremely hard, but I did it. And yes, I had large losses.

IMO being alive trumps any loss from transitioning.

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 12:52:22 PM
I have started a strict low carb, no sugar diet with lots of lean meats, & fresh fruits/veggies.

This can be harmful for you as the lack of carbs and fats (fats are important and need to replace lost carbs, they are healthy as evidenced by recent studies) can result in rabbit starvation. You won't feel good, you will be hungry. It can be fatal.

http://backacrosstheline.blogspot.ca/2007/09/rabbit-starvation-syndrome.html

Fat, including saturated fat is not bad. Please read Gary Taubes, Robert Atkins, Stephen Phinney, Jeff Volek, Peter Attia, Sally Fallon, Mary Enig. And latest studies like these ones

Ann Intern Med. 2014 Mar 18;160(6):398-406.

"Current evidence does not clearly support cardiovascular guidelines that encourage high consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids and low consumption of total saturated fats."

Obes Rev. 2002 May;3(2):59-68.

"Diets high in fat do not account for the high prevalence of excess body fat in Western countries; reductions in the percentage of energy from fat will have no important benefits and could further exacerbate this problem. The emphasis on total fat reduction has been a serious distraction in efforts to control obesity and improve health in general."

Adv Nutr. 2013 May 1;4(3):294-302.

"The focus on dietary manipulation of serum cholesterol may be moot in view of numerous other factors that increase the risk of heart disease. The adverse health effects that have been associated with saturated fats in the past are most likely due to factors other than SFAs, which are discussed here. This review calls for a rational reevaluation of existing dietary recommendations that focus on minimizing dietary SFAs, for which mechanisms for adverse health effects are lacking."

Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):535-46.

"A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat."

Nutrition. 2012 Feb;28(2):118-23.

" Results and conclusions about saturated fat intake in relation to cardiovascular disease, from leading advisory committees, do not reflect the available scientific literature."

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2013 Jun 15;304(12):H1733-42.

" In conclusion, a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet reduced blood pressure and improved arterial function in SHR without producing signs of insulin resistance or altering insulin-mediated signaling in the heart, skeletal muscle, or vasculature."

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2005; 2: 21

"We believe restriction of saturated fat is not warranted on a low-carbohydrate diet because of our work showing favorable responses in clinical risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in low-carbohydrate diets that were rich in saturated fat [2]. In addition, German & Dillard [3] have reviewed several experimental studies of the effects of saturated fats and the results are found to be variable and there is a general failure to meet the kind of unambiguous predictions that would justify the recommendation to reduce saturated fat in the population [3]."

"we believe that the recommendation to restrict saturated fat in favor of unsaturated fat on a low-carbohydrate diet is unnecessary and may even diminish some of the beneficial physiological effects associated with carbohydrate restriction. At the very least, the food restriction required to reduce saturated fat will compromise the palatability of the diet"

Eur J Nutr. 2013 Feb;52(1):1-24.

"The observational evidence does not support the hypothesis that dairy fat or high-fat dairy foods contribute to obesity or cardiometabolic risk, and suggests that high-fat dairy consumption within typical dietary patterns is inversely associated with obesity risk."

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2006; 3: 24.

"Because of its effect on insulin, carbohydrate restriction is one of the obvious dietary choices for weight reduction and diabetes. Such interventions generally lead to higher levels of dietary fat than official recommendations and have long been criticized because of potential effects on cardiovascular risk although many literature reports have shown that they are actually protective even in the absence of weight loss. A recent report of Krauss et al. (AJCN, 2006) separates the effects of weight loss and carbohydrate restriction. They clearly confirm that carbohydrate restriction leads to an improvement in atherogenic lipid states in the absence of weight loss or in the presence of higher saturated fat."

QuoteI also want to cut down on fat levels as well.

Dangerous if you are cutting down on carbs as well. Increased fat consumption decreases obesity, not the other way around. I can provide many other studies as well.

Eat Fat And Grow Slim
http://doczine.com/bigdata/2/1367179203_9e0b9b3b62/eat_fat.pdf

The Stone Age Diet
http://www.mitodascalorias.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Voegtlin_1975_The_Stone_Age_Diet.pdf

The Fat of the Land / Not By Bread Alone
http://owndoc.com/pdf/The-fat-of-the-land.pdf

Letter On Corpulence
http://www.thefitblog.net/ebooks/LetterOnCorpulence/LetteronCorpulence.pdf

STRONG MEDICINE
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015003228171;skin=mobile#page/ii/mode/2up
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015003228171;view=1up;seq=7

Adventures in Diet
http://abelix.hive.no/wp-uploads/abelix.hive.no/2011/02/Adventures_in_Diet.pdf

Also the book Good Calories, Bad Calories & Why We Get Fat.

--------------

Also, I can relate to reading MtF fictional stories...for several months and enjoying it very much but I wasn't truly living.

Lack of T might lessen libido but the addition of estrogen (and sometimes progesterone) will enhance libido as well, but in a different way. Hard to explain until you have experienced it yourself. You will only be E dominant if you take E. Bio-identical E does not adversely affect liver, other forms of estrogen can.

Do as much reading on the subject as you can. Best of luck. :) 

Quote from: KayXo on February 01, 2016, 02:15:04 PM
This can be harmful for you as the lack of carbs and fats (fats are important and need to replace lost carbs, they are healthy as evidenced by recent studies) can result in rabbit starvation. You won't feel good, you will be hungry. It can be fatal.

http://backacrosstheline.blogspot.ca/2007/09/rabbit-starvation-syndrome.html

Fat, including saturated fat is not bad. Please read Gary Taubes, Robert Atkins, Stephen Phinney, Jeff Volek, Peter Attia, Sally Fallon, Mary Enig. And latest studies like these ones

Ann Intern Med. 2014 Mar 18;160(6):398-406.

"Current evidence does not clearly support cardiovascular guidelines that encourage high consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids and low consumption of total saturated fats."

Obes Rev. 2002 May;3(2):59-68.

"Diets high in fat do not account for the high prevalence of excess body fat in Western countries; reductions in the percentage of energy from fat will have no important benefits and could further exacerbate this problem. The emphasis on total fat reduction has been a serious distraction in efforts to control obesity and improve health in general."

Adv Nutr. 2013 May 1;4(3):294-302.

"The focus on dietary manipulation of serum cholesterol may be moot in view of numerous other factors that increase the risk of heart disease. The adverse health effects that have been associated with saturated fats in the past are most likely due to factors other than SFAs, which are discussed here. This review calls for a rational reevaluation of existing dietary recommendations that focus on minimizing dietary SFAs, for which mechanisms for adverse health effects are lacking."

Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):535-46.

"A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat."

Nutrition. 2012 Feb;28(2):118-23.

" Results and conclusions about saturated fat intake in relation to cardiovascular disease, from leading advisory committees, do not reflect the available scientific literature."

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2013 Jun 15;304(12):H1733-42.

" In conclusion, a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet reduced blood pressure and improved arterial function in SHR without producing signs of insulin resistance or altering insulin-mediated signaling in the heart, skeletal muscle, or vasculature."

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2005; 2: 21

"We believe restriction of saturated fat is not warranted on a low-carbohydrate diet because of our work showing favorable responses in clinical risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in low-carbohydrate diets that were rich in saturated fat [2]. In addition, German & Dillard [3] have reviewed several experimental studies of the effects of saturated fats and the results are found to be variable and there is a general failure to meet the kind of unambiguous predictions that would justify the recommendation to reduce saturated fat in the population [3]."

"we believe that the recommendation to restrict saturated fat in favor of unsaturated fat on a low-carbohydrate diet is unnecessary and may even diminish some of the beneficial physiological effects associated with carbohydrate restriction. At the very least, the food restriction required to reduce saturated fat will compromise the palatability of the diet"

Eur J Nutr. 2013 Feb;52(1):1-24.

"The observational evidence does not support the hypothesis that dairy fat or high-fat dairy foods contribute to obesity or cardiometabolic risk, and suggests that high-fat dairy consumption within typical dietary patterns is inversely associated with obesity risk."

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2006; 3: 24.

"Because of its effect on insulin, carbohydrate restriction is one of the obvious dietary choices for weight reduction and diabetes. Such interventions generally lead to higher levels of dietary fat than official recommendations and have long been criticized because of potential effects on cardiovascular risk although many literature reports have shown that they are actually protective even in the absence of weight loss. A recent report of Krauss et al. (AJCN, 2006) separates the effects of weight loss and carbohydrate restriction. They clearly confirm that carbohydrate restriction leads to an improvement in atherogenic lipid states in the absence of weight loss or in the presence of higher saturated fat."

Dangerous if you are cutting down on carbs as well. Increased fat consumption decreases obesity, not the other way around. I can provide many other studies as well.

Eat Fat And Grow Slim
http://doczine.com/bigdata/2/1367179203_9e0b9b3b62/eat_fat.pdf

The Stone Age Diet
http://www.mitodascalorias.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Voegtlin_1975_The_Stone_Age_Diet.pdf

The Fat of the Land / Not By Bread Alone
http://owndoc.com/pdf/The-fat-of-the-land.pdf

Letter On Corpulence
http://www.thefitblog.net/ebooks/LetterOnCorpulence/LetteronCorpulence.pdf

STRONG MEDICINE
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015003228171;skin=mobile#page/ii/mode/2up
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015003228171;view=1up;seq=7

Adventures in Diet
http://abelix.hive.no/wp-uploads/abelix.hive.no/2011/02/Adventures_in_Diet.pdf

Also the book Good Calories, Bad Calories & Why We Get Fat.

Thanks for the information. It seems like a lot to take in right now.

I have a friend who has turned me on to Kerrygold butter from Ireland. It's from grass fed cows, so its much healthier than our american options. He also told me that healthy fat is good for your bodies.

To all the ladies out there, what would you recommend for me diet wise pre-transition?

Grass fed cows have the advantage of carrying fat that is more abundant in omega 3 (less omega 6 which is inflammatory), vitamin E and beta-carotene (Vitamin A).

I know it's a lot to take in but in the end, it will be worthwhile. Baby steps, one day at a time. It tooks me years to assimilate all of that.

Quote from: Harley Quinn on February 01, 2016, 02:09:19 PM
Unfortunately no, your body's ability to accept Estrogen, and your age will be the deciding factors. Having little T to begin with may mean that you haven't been overly masculinated which is good if you want to be feminine. The point of HRT is to floor our "T" production so you'd theoretically take different dosages to get to the same estrogen levels as anyone else. But female levels are female levels.

My body has also straddled the line between masculine and feminine. I have a masculine chest and shoulders, but small hands, feet, & genitalia. Even though I have lived most of my life as a masculine male, I have never felt that way on the inside. My emotions tended to always be more to the feminine side.

I think these are all reason why I think estrogen might effect my body much quicker than most women, though the only way I will know is giving it a try.

Quote from: KayXo on February 01, 2016, 02:30:17 PM
Grass fed cows have the advantage of carrying fat that is more abundant in omega 3 (less omega 6 which is inflammatory), vitamin E and beta-carotene (Vitamin A).

Yeah, that's what I have read. I actually try and put it in my bowl of oatmeal I eat every morning. My doctor said whole grains would be ok for me.

I think the biggest thing for me will be finding a good feminine diet, since I have always ate food with the intention of packing on muscle and mass.

I would avoid grains considering your situation, even whole grains. It's indeed true that fiber slows down the digestion and allows sugar to gradually hit the blood but still...fruits, especially sweet fruits can increase the risk of fatty liver. Best is vegetables that grow above the earth like cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, kale, leeks. Cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil....berries, the list goes on and on. Plenty of nutritious foods that don't raise insulin (and triglycerides) to a significant degree. Nuts are fine too. Macadamia, hazelnuts, almonds.

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 02:31:27 PM
My body has also straddled the line between masculine and feminine. I have a masculine chest and shoulders, but small hands, feet, & genitalia. Even though I have lived most of my life as a masculine male, I have never felt that way on the inside. My emotions tended to always be more to the feminine side.

I think these are all reason why I think estrogen might effect my body much quicker than most women, though the only way I will know is giving it a try.

You'll definitely know for sure if estrogen is right for you once you take it... it has a very noticeable effect on your mind.

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 02:24:45 PM
To all the ladies out there, what would you recommend for me diet wise pre-transition?

I would consult a nutritionist as part of your transition. To minimize health risks, and provide you the best possible results.

Quote from: Harley Quinn on February 01, 2016, 02:40:13 PM
You'll definitely know for sure if estrogen is right for you once you take it... it has a very noticeable effect on your mind.

That's what I'm somewhat worried about. Once I start, there is a very good chance that I will be so happy, I won't be able to bring myself to stop. Especially if my body really starts to feminize fast. (I deream of being a size D ;))

Quote from: Adchop on February 01, 2016, 02:44:49 PM
That's what I'm somewhat worried about. Once I start, there is a very good chance that I will be so happy, I won't be able to bring myself to stop. Especially if my body really starts to feminize fast. (I deream of being a size D ;))

Ha ha ha... don't we all... don't we all...

But you'll know what's right for you when the time comes.

Quote from: Harley Quinn on February 01, 2016, 02:49:44 PM
Ha ha ha... don't we all... don't we all...

But you'll know what's right for you when the time comes.

I think that's the decision I'm coming to. I'm 34, I don't want to late till later in life to give this a try. What effects estrogen has on my body, emotions, and the decisions that come afterwards will just have to all be part of the package deal. No point in turning away out of fear.

It was hard to come to the decision to transition. I knew I'd be starting a new life and it would be difficult. There was decisions I had to make but once I had accepted the decision to transition, things became much easier for me. I knew who I was and had my new life to live. Looking back, I wonder why I had doubts as my life is so much better than it was before.

Love,
Clare

Quote from: TG CLare on February 01, 2016, 06:24:27 PM
It was hard to come to the decision to transition. I knew I'd be starting a new life and it would be difficult. There was decisions I had to make but once I had accepted the decision to transition, things became much easier for me. I knew who I was and had my new life to live. Looking back, I wonder why I had doubts as my life is so much better than it was before.

Love,
Clare

CLare, just like you I have make decisions on my transition, and now I look forward to my new life. Now my mind are clear that what I want to do.

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