I wanted to share my story about TRT and let you guys know that it will change your life forever and to stay hopeful!
At age 18, I got diagnosed with a rare severe medical condition for someone my age called Hypogonadism. I essentially had the hormone/testosterone levels of a female. So I was essentially a FTM. I felt like garbage, hopeless, and like things would not get better. Then my doctor put me on TRT. My testosterone levels were now ABOVE the reference range of a normal male (1200 ng/dl) and I suddenly felt like superman! Within months, it gave me super human strength, agility, coordination, athleticism and reflexes.
Before TRT, I had a 2-67 high school wrestling record. After TRT, I found myself rag-dolling grown men on the mats!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy89%2Fjdinatale%2Fbeforeafter.png&hash=38f7885d7fe2a703e724dc829cbb3f85e4a5cc3e)
TRT is life changing and life saving! It makes you feel like a genetically engineered superhuman! There is hope and life gets much much better!
"TRT"= testosterone replacement therapy
What's severe about it? Isn't it kinda...not good to have hormone levels over where males are supposed to be?
Severity: Lethargy, Low Libido, Sluggish, no muscle mass, no facial hair, no body hair, weak, no endurance, no explosiveness, can't compete with the other guys
My endocrinologist said, "There's no such thing as having too high test. Professional athletes take steroids and they aren't dropping off like flies." He's really liberal and cool and maximized my dose until I hit the limits of a normal human.
Let me chime in here about the doctor's steroid advice.
It's wrong. Anabolic steroid abuse has plenty of known short-term side effects, and other suspected long-term side effects.
http://www.testcountry.org/long-term-effects-and-complications-of-steroid-abuse.htm (http://www.testcountry.org/long-term-effects-and-complications-of-steroid-abuse.htm)
Quote from: Ultimus on June 12, 2012, 02:53:52 PM
Severity: Lethargy, Low Libido, Sluggish, no muscle mass, no facial hair, no body hair, weak, no endurance, no explosiveness, can't compete with the other guys
My endocrinologist said, "There's no such thing as having too high test. Professional athletes take steroids and they aren't dropping off like flies." He's really liberal and cool and maximized my dose until I hit the limits of a normal human.
That doesn't really sound severe, and the muscle mass thing.
And yes, there is such thing as having too high testosterone. I know because my brother has high T. He's emotional/violent, has high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. When I started T my cholesterol and blood pressure shot through the roof. Your results aren't from just T.
Quote from: Ultimus on June 12, 2012, 02:53:52 PM
My endocrinologist said, "There's no such thing as having too high test. Professional athletes take steroids and they aren't dropping off like flies." He's really liberal and cool and maximized my dose until I hit the limits of a normal human.
Your endo is an idiot. There is definitely such a thing has having too high of a testosterone level. You didn't just start TRT and then gain the muscles and stuff. You had to work out to get like that.
I can see how it can be considered quite severe and devastating for the person experiencing it. Being a teenager is tough and that's made even worse when you're a male who hasn't started puberty by age 18. You probably would experience something similar to gender dysphoria, since internally you feel a lot more masculine than your appearance would suggest.
Thanks for posting, dude. It does help to know there are non-trans guys who don't produce testosterone naturally, because then I don't feel like taking synthetic hormones invalidates my status as a male, like some people try to say it does.
Quote from: poptart on June 12, 2012, 04:15:26 PM
I can see how it can be considered quite severe and devastating for the person experiencing it. Being a teenager is tough and that's made even worse when you're a male who hasn't started puberty by age 18. You probably would experience something similar to gender dysphoria, since internally you feel a lot more masculine than your appearance would suggest.
Thanks for posting, dude. It does help to know there are non-trans guys who don't produce testosterone naturally, because then I don't feel like taking synthetic hormones invalidates my status as a male, like some people try to say it does.
This exactly. Thanks for posting man
Quote from: Casey on June 12, 2012, 05:07:57 PM
I agree, thanks for posting. Although the really high levels are a bit concerning, given that my doctor was saying he had some patients with high T who were having problems, quite similar to what nygeel said about his brother.
On another note, you look really familiar somehow.
I'm pretty sure this user used another screen name....
Quote from: JasonRX on June 12, 2012, 05:16:39 PM
I'm pretty sure this user used another screen name....
That is true, but we respect the member's privacy.
My cis boyfriend was recently diagnosed with hypogonadism and was started on testosterone therapy about a month ago. It really sucks that he has to deal with injecting the rest of his life too now, but it is also really cool to have something so personal that we share and can relate on. He told me how he felt better after the first injection, as I knew he would. He definitely made it through puberty, but now his facial hair is growing faster and he has noticed an increase in body hair as well. It feels good to know that relying on injected testosterone doesn't make anyone less of a man, as well as knowing that if I should become stealth and anyone should question why I may be injecting testosterone, I could claim hypogonadism and end the discussion.
Quote from: poptart on June 12, 2012, 04:15:26 PM
I can see how it can be considered quite severe and devastating for the person experiencing it. Being a teenager is tough and that's made even worse when you're a male who hasn't started puberty by age 18. You probably would experience something similar to gender dysphoria, since internally you feel a lot more masculine than your appearance would suggest.
This so much! Somebody gets it!
Quote from: Casey on June 12, 2012, 05:33:48 PM
Oh, OK. My apologies. I didn't mean to be nosy, I more wondered if I knew him IRL.
Maybe, but I don't know any Casey's.
Too high testerone can cause problems (some pretty serious):
This is a listing (nothing to mess with);
http://www.livestrong.com/article/31056-high-testosterone-side-effects/ (http://www.livestrong.com/article/31056-high-testosterone-side-effects/)
--Jay Jay
Yeah there totally is such a think as too high of T levels. There's also such a thing as medical "professionals" who are pretty much quacks. Nevertheless, the condition is certainly real and T is the fix to make you feel normal again. The T levels should be checked regularly though and you should be looking out for side effects such as the high blood pressure, etc. Increase in side effects should mean a lowering of your T dose.
On another note, I've noticed an increase in the diagnosis of "low T". There's a number of very gimmicky "natural" products on the market now targeted to men in their later 30s on that have latched on to the fact that T does decrease over time. There's also a new wave of HRT happening targeting men for this exact thing - replacing "lost" testosterone.
I get it, in the sense that I know it to be an upsetting condition. You certainly looked miserable. However, I also worry about losing your health with too much of a good thing.
>On another note, I've noticed an increase in the diagnosis of "low T". There's a number of very gimmicky "natural" products on the market now targeted to men in their later 30s on that have latched on to the fact that T does decrease over time. There's also a new wave of HRT happening targeting men for this exact thing - replacing "lost" testosterone. Also you mentioned "explosiveness". Not sure what exactly you want with that.
Haha, I know exactly what you are talking about. I might even be able to quote the danged commercials they play them so often. "Don't be that guy!" (that lies on the couch all the time and doesn't do anything). "Use Ageless Male". :)
Lots fo quack products promising prowess in the bedroom.
--Jay Jay
I'm happy you got treated, and I know you're trying to be inspirational, but...
Quote from: Ultimus on June 12, 2012, 01:46:24 PM
So I was essentially a FTM.
No, you weren't. You were raised and socialized as a boy, you didn't have doctors or family trying to prevent your treatment, you don't have a vagina or periods to be disgusted by.
Quote from: Isaac on June 14, 2012, 01:25:31 AM
I'm happy you got treated, and I know you're trying to be inspirational, but...
Ultimus: So I was essentially a FTM.
No, you weren't. You were raised and socialized as a boy, you didn't have doctors or family trying to prevent your treatment, you don't have a vagina or periods to be disgusted by.
I agree with this. I'm honestly not sure the purpose of this thread.
Quote from: Adio on June 14, 2012, 07:13:35 AM
I agree with this. I'm honestly not sure the purpose of this thread.
And I agree with this.
Quote from: JasonRX on June 14, 2012, 10:26:28 AM
And I agree with this.
To show FTM's how hard it is to be born male.
I think the OP just made an honest mistake. I think the purpose he intended was to show that T works to make you feel better when you're male (and he's including FTM in that) but your body is not making enough of it.
Of course FTMs will pounce on him for comparing himself to one of them ... that's his mistake. It breaks one of the rules, because someone who's not something can not possibly understand what it would be like to be that something they're not, right? Isn't that what a lot of ignorant cis people who don't understand trans accuse trans people of (ex: "you can't possibly understand what it's like to be a man because you weren't born with a penis!")?
I'd just let this one slide and not turn it into a federal case.
Quote from: insideontheoutside on June 14, 2012, 04:46:18 PM
I think the OP just made an honest mistake. I think the purpose he intended was to show that T works to make you feel better when you're male (and he's including FTM in that) but your body is not making enough of it.
Of course FTMs will pounce on him for comparing himself to one of them ... that's his mistake. It breaks one of the rules, because someone who's not something can not possibly understand what it would be like to be that something they're not, right? Isn't that what a lot of ignorant cis people who don't understand trans accuse trans people of (ex: "you can't possibly understand what it's like to be a man because you weren't born with a penis!")?
I'd just let this one slide and not turn it into a federal case.
I agree that it was likely an honest mistake. But comparing a cis guy with low T to a trans man...it's just not truly comparable. Guys who were AMAB do not usually have the legal and social issues that trans men do. Guys with low T are generally seen as men whereas pre-T trans men are often viewed as female even when presenting as male. Yes, T can do great things, but men with low T are not transitioning. Low physical performance is completely different than being perceived as female. Some might consider cis men with low testosterone to be effeminate or weak, but it's not the same as being viewed and treated as a girl.
"Ultimus" was trying to be supportive.
It's an admirable trait for someone posting at a "support" site.
I think he was just trying to relate the best a cismale could. I know there was a cisfemale asking about hair removal techniques because she had such a problem with it and I don't mind it all :).
Quote from: Erin_Grey on June 14, 2012, 06:17:28 PM
I think he was just trying to relate the best a cismale could. I know there was a cisfemale asking about hair removal techniques because she had such a problem with it and I don't mind it all :).
It would be more like a cis female coming in and saying how she used to have light facial hair which was really horrible then got laser and now her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.
Telling and asking are two different things.
milkshake brings all the boys to the yard--LMAO! Thank you for that :icon_clap:
but yeah I can see how it would be offensive to have these two situations compared as if they were the same.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 14, 2012, 06:11:30 PM
"Ultimus" was trying to be supportive.
It's an admirable trait for someone posting at a "support" site.
I know this is a support site, but given the user's history with posts and how they have treated users in the past, I think it's more than just that some people are slightly skeptical of and or offended by the OP. I'm not saying they don't mean well in this particular situation, but still. Also for a while, this user did not present with the status of a cismale, so I'm also slightly baffled what to make of their post anyway.
Quote from: JasonRX on June 14, 2012, 06:59:11 PM
I know this is a support site, but given the user's history with posts and how they have treated users in the past, I think it's more than just that some people are slightly skeptical of and or offended by the OP. I'm not saying they don't mean well in this particular situation, but still. Also for a while, this user did not present with the status of a cismale, so I'm also slightly baffled what to make of their post anyway.
I have not seen any reports made to the moderators (via the button). There is little to be gained talking about the status of the OP, as compared to the content of the post.
I'm locking this topic it is not serving anything useful IMO.
There are too many contradictions and none helpful comments.
Cindy James
Global Moderator.