I haven't had my T levels checked in quite a few months because of my physicians condescending attitude. The last time I saw him, he cut my T in half because it was too high. I am, by the way, setting up an appointment with a trans friendly doc.
During the time I have been using only half the T I was, I started noticing changes, especially after a couple of months. Same diet, same activity level, but my muscle tone is seriously lacking and I've put on weight in my lower abdomen and hips. I hate looking in the mirror and feel like I'm going back in time.
Has anyone else had those symptoms show up when they had low T? I tend to wear loose clothing though I've had upper and lower surgeries, but I feel very self conscious. I've also noticed that my facial hair doesn't come back as quickly after shaving, and i have lost body hair.
I'm having to wait a bit to get into the Dr. I want, (he was recommended by the local trans support group), but feel bad both physically and mentally. I was looking at the levels of testosterone in men, which is dependant on age, but does anyone know if it takes more endogenous T to keep an F to M's secondary sex characteristics than it does cis men? (If this is too close to a dose question, I understand that it can't be answered). Mainly, I just wanted to know if other F to M's have had this with low T.
sam1234
I'm afraid I can't give advice on your main question, but could it be possible to discuss a dose halfway (or anywhere really) between what you have now and what you used to have? If it will make you feel better and keep your levels within male range I think a doctor should be willing to consider it. Or is it that your levels now are still on the higher end of 'average'?
Dealing with fairly low T right now, but I'm only 3 months in, and my first dosage was obviously a conservative test to see how much I'd need; logically, my endo wanted to be careful I didn't get too high of a dose that it would stall any changes I might have gotten (and did get) with a more reserved dose. Sorry I can't be much help, but I do know that when my T is low (as with many other trans guys), energy starts to decrease, which may be a sign of a decreasing metabolism and, in effect, body/muscle mass. Sorry about the poor doc, that must really suck, but at least you're getting someone better soon, right? :)
As for T levels, I believe that's safe to answer based on guidelines; the only thing you can't mention is literal dosage, such as _x_mL per _x_ weeks, etc. Generally, the goal is to get your testosterone levels within the average of a cis male, which varies depending on your age. For reference, here's a link to a handy chart I referred to lately, after I got my first blood tests done since starting T: http://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/testosterone-levels-by-age (http://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/testosterone-levels-by-age).
Good luck, man, hope this gets settled for you soon!
At my last visit, my Dr. said my T level was twice as high as it should be. I asked for a copy of the blood work and then matched it to some medical literature on the ranger of T for guys my age. It was high, but not twice as high, and at the time I felt good about my body.
At that visit, he dropped my dose to half of what it had been, which, I personally think was too much given the changes I had. I know the dangers of endogenous testosterone, they told me when I first started it. I'd rather be on the high side of normal and retain my secondary sex characteristics then at the low end. Prior to seeing this guy, he was the predisesor of my old doc, my levels were fine.
I'm getting an appointment soon with a trans friendly Dr. and have asked that my blood work be sent to him and not my present doc. I just wanted to know if others had been in that position and what they did about it/what their symptoms were.
sam1234
Obviously I won't talk dosage but the medical literature on transmen showed very low risks of T on men's health. So I would be perplexed on why your dose was cut.
On the other hand there were and are significant risks for E in TG females.
Quote from: Cindy on March 16, 2015, 01:17:39 AM
Obviously I won't talk dosage but the medical literature on transmen showed very low risks of T on men's health. So I would be perplexed on why your dose was cut.
Well, the only real risk is our bodies converting excess back into estrogen, but it really doesn't sound like this was the case. However, depending on when Sam got his tests done, that result might have been high for the point at which he took the test in relation to his cycle, if he's doing injections. It all depends, I guess.
I was on injections for the first few years. One day I started noticing that every time I took the injection, I would start to cough. I've had anaphylactic reactions to certain antibiotics before, so i told my Dr. He put me on patches. Things were just fine until he retired and I got his replacement. I'll be nice and say that there is a personality conflict. I'm going to see another Dr. soon who works with transgenders frequently. Anatomically, I seem to have better results at the high end of normal while the Dr. I'm leaving wanted me at the low end.
sam1234
Quote from: sam1234 on March 15, 2015, 08:49:00 PM
Has anyone else had those symptoms show up when they had low T?
sam1234
Yes, I have had similar experiences during times when my T was low. Mostly the body fat distribution and slow facial hair growth, but for me also very low energy and tearfulness. I think you should be able to make a case with your new doctor for a dose and corresponding level that keeps you feeling healthy and well, that is after all, the goal of testosterone therapy :) Not sure if you have ovaries or not, but they also produce some T. If they perceive that you have too much T circulating, they may respond (over time) by producing less of their own T, which in turn decreases your overall level. They also may respond by producing more estrogen, both of which can make you feel like you are reverting, so to speak. The body is always in a state of flux and will naturally try to maintain homeostasis...and then add the whole aging process in to the mix...We keep giving it little challenges! Be vigilant about gathering information from your lab tests and knowing the doses and levels at which you feel best. Good luck with your new physician.
I did have my ovaries removed. My entire reproductive system I thought of as an unwanted growth. I'm not sure if the testosterone levels of a cis male and a transgender male need to be the same by age. When my T was supposedly high, I felt fine. It wasn't until my Dr. started dropping it that things got bad. I'm not dating, but that doesn't mean I want to lose my libido. Its really depressing to see your body trying to return to what it was before starting T.
sam1234
I finally got an appointment with a trans friendly Dr. on the 30th. I really hope he will allow me to raise my dose of hormones. The last Dr. kept going on about how dangerous the T was for my liver and I could get liver cancer etc. When i started taking T, the endocrinologist told me that my liver enzymes might go up and there was a very slim chance of liver cancer but it wasn't something he would worry about.
Even if it were that risky, which i don't think it really is, I'd rather take the risk and have my body return to a more masculine look than be where I am now. I'm pretty light skinned and not very hairy even on a high dose of T, but since my old Dr. cut my dose in half, I've gone from having to shave every day to every four days and have lost body hair. My libido is gone, and though i'm not dating, I'd still like it back. I'm avoiding mirrors because it makes me feel like I'm going back in time.
At least there is hope now. That makes my present situation easier to bare.
sam1234
That's great news, that you have an appointment with a better doctor.
It sounds like the old one didn't know much and couldn't be bothered to learn. The business about the liver is really only relevant if someone is taking oral T, which is hardly prescribed any more, if at all, for just that reason. Otherwise, any competent doctor knows to order tests for liver function along with other blood tests; mine does this routinely, mainly because I'm on another med which can affect liver function; when I come in she just smiles and says things like "Your liver looks hunky-dory."
I'd be astonished if the new one didn't OK raising your dosage, given the troubles you've been having.
Hang in there!