Hi everyone, there's a change I noticed in the short time I've been on T (almost three weeks now) that those close to me have noticed as well; I've brought it up casually with a couple of transguys one on one, and they all told me, 'that's weird, never heard of it', so I figured I'd ask here to see if anyone noticed a similar change.
For most of my life, I've always been very very cold. I just have poor circulation, sliiightly low thyroid, and I've just always been cold, especially my extremities. My hands and feet would feel like icecubes and go numb, and other people would complain it was like being poked with a popsicle if I touched em. About a week into being on T I noticed that I was stripping down more and more to stay cool, where previously I would be bundling up in robe/socks/hat in the house. If I don't strip down, I start sweating from being too hot. My dad touched my hand at about 10 days in and said, 'Oh my GOD, you're WARM! What's going on?'
Like clockwork, during the two final days before my second shot I became immensely cold again, (as well as incredibly cranky) as I usually am. Then come Monday after my injection, I start getting warm once more. My coworker asked what was going on, since I've been peeling off layers at work, too(we work outside in the early morning hours). Usually I need to insist on having the heat full blast just to stay warm, and since starting T the heat's been barely there and I don't even notice until it turns back up again, at which point I'm sweating.
My father came up and congratulated me last night on it, too. (??!) Basically saying, 'I don't know how it's happening, but you've been cold all of the time for years, ever since you started having shots you're warm almost all of the time. Congratulations,' et cetera. We speculated how testosterone could make me warm, but neither of us is sure, really. Maybe it's just a coincidence??
If any of you guys have noticed anything similar while on T, or have an idea of what causes this, please let me know, as I'm very curious.
Yes!
Guys have a better way of comtrolling body temp than girls. Every transman i've spoken to have all reported the same. I'm only 5 days into my T (i'm on the gel stuff you rub into your skin, once a day) and the first few days noticed as soon as i run it in, i'm instantly warm as if like a radiator... but it's a comfy warm rather than a sweaty hot warm. I'm usually cold again first thing in a morning (take my dose at night before bed).
I've always been cold too! I'm usually the one uncontrolably shivering whenever the weather hits below 6C lol
Like the guys that you've already spoken with on the subject, I've never heard of it happening either, but stranger things have happened! In all honesty, I'd love for that to happen when I start T.. I've always been colder in temperature as well.. and it's not the most fun thing to deal with >.<
By the way, your icon is awesome, Cairus!
Just biological fact. Males have higher skin temperature.
My cold hands/feet are still cold. But they're not always "quite" as bad.
Thanks for the responses, guys, nice to know I'm not the only one/it isn't all in our heads. When I get angry or embarrassed I swear I can feel the heat from blood rushing into my face/chest pretty immediately, too. And Lex: Thanks!
on the other side of the hormones balance, my hands and feet went from "ohh they are warm! can I touch them!" to "wow they're cold!!!" by everyone's opinion.. and my own!
Oddly enough, I've noticed the opposite in me. I used to always have my bedroom window open 24/7 this time of year (winter my side of the planet) and now can only have it open for short periods of time. I'm colder than I've ever been. That or less cold tolerant.
When I used to take birth control (the one that has the highest dose of estrogen), I used to be the one that was cold all the time (always wearing a coat or jacket). Now that I've been off them, I noticed that I'm a lot warmer than I used to be. Now its always someone else that's cold and hardly ever me. It makes me wonder what my testosterone levels are naturally.
This is probably TMI but from FTM Australia website:
Metabolism changes
About 10% of individuals gain excess weight after beginning testosterone therapy. While studies report a reduction of subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat just under your skin) they also report an increase of abdominal fat storage.
Many men gain weight due to the increased muscle mass and subsequent calorie intake. Most men report an increase in their metabolic rate and appetite. Unless a conscious balance is maintained between exercise and food intake, weight gain is inevitable.
Some individuals have anecdotally reported metabolic-related changes such as an increase in energy, less sleep demands, slightly higher body temperature, and generally feeling more alert.
Muscles
The effects of testosterone on your body are both androgenic (responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics) and anabolic (helps to build and repair muscle tissue).
Just my understanding but, therefore it is the increase in muscle mass and metabolism that can increase your body temperature. The harder muscles work and the more you have the more heat they produce during use and at rest as they repair themselves etc.
b4 I felt hot all the time even in the winter time. Since my hysto I feel much colder but it's been hella cold up here in frisco anyway so I dunno. Maybe it's all in my head :D :D :D
I'm curious to see how testosterone affects my body heat and basal temp as well.
As it stands right now, my temp is usually 97.2 to 97.6F, just like my mother. I wonder if that will increase once I start on testosterone.
The exact same thing is happening to me! I am a bit more than 4 weeks on T and I have been peeling layers off and walking around my freezing house in a T-shirt. I am usually freezing, and like you my hands are usually like ice but now they are hot too.
Damn, don't want this one! I get hot all the time as it is. And stripping off wouldn't be an option when I need layers for binding. I think I'll have to relocate somewhere chilly(er). P:
Quote from: IndigeoAliquis on January 30, 2010, 04:00:11 AM
I'm curious to see how testosterone affects my body heat and basal temp as well.
As it stands right now, my temp is usually 97.2 to 97.6F, just like my mother. I wonder if that will increase once I start on testosterone.
It will presumably rise just a little bit. Pretty sure males have higher body temperature. Hey, let me know if that's how it works out.
Yes, I get and stay warmer and get hotter faster.
I heard somewhere that in female-bodied people, before going through the body, blood generally goes to the uterus to keep it warm, which is why males have better circulation. Maybe that process is shutting down now.
Not meaning to offend, but are you sure that's not just menopausal symptoms? I've been a little warmer, but I think it's more like hot flashes of sorts.
Quote from: Radar on January 30, 2010, 06:58:40 PM
Yes, I get and stay warmer and get hotter faster.
Ditto! E.g. I could workout for hours before and not break a sweat like I do now after a few mins!
I thought everyone would be expecting their body temp to rise - I am surprised this is news to so many guys! Just about every mate of mine at one point has said – she likes to cuddle me because I'm like a hot water bottle. He is boiling and she is cold. I have had the same experience – I continue to feel like I am in a sauna and she is just right. I have no blankets on – she's wrapped in the doona and around me! They even make doonas specifically manufactured for him and her over here – his side being cooler etc.
Now I'm not saying this is the case for every single guy. Just what I have heard from mates and my own experience and I put it down to as stated, the increase in muscle mass, metabolism, appetite and activity levels and so on. But there are many other things that effect temperature. Deficiencies in other hormones, thyroid problems, even your mood, if you're hungry, if your sleep pattern is out, if a female is ovulating, if you're developing (puberty) and your age has an effect on your body temperature. So it is possibly a combination of a few things...
I didn't know about this and I like the sound of it, I hate being always cold at this time of year. I bet its a pain in the summer though!
I was cold constantly from a kid to maybe around 20 then I evened out. After starting T I'm hot I'm sure my neighbors love me turning the AC on during the winter. I used to need loads of blankets this time of year now having one I'm waking up drenched if I don't kick it off during the night. During the summer I feel like I'm dying slowly. Not only heat but humidity.
Quote from: Adio on January 30, 2010, 09:53:27 PMNot meaning to offend, but are you sure that's not just menopausal symptoms? I've been a little warmer, but I think it's more like hot flashes of sorts.
I went through menopausal symptoms when I first started T and it's a
big difference. I can tell now that my body temperature is a bit higher all the time. The menopause hot flashes are hot flashes from Hell and feel way different and way stronger. Now that those symptoms stopped awhile ago I can tell a difference with core body heat compared to hot flashes.
Quote from: Radar on January 31, 2010, 03:41:47 PM
I went through menopausal symptoms when I first started T and it's a big difference. I can tell now that my body temperature is a bit higher all the time. The menopause hot flashes are hot flashes from Hell and feel way different and way stronger. Now that those symptoms stopped awhile ago I can tell a difference with core body heat compared to hot flashes.
Thanks, Radar. I have a lower core body temperate (97.7F), but I've been having some hot flashes recently. I guess this is something to look forward to once all of that settles. :)
Mine lasted for about 4-6 weeks but when it ended there was no return. They became less and less often too. You can get through it, it's just a pain and weird. At least it's winter for you- mine was in summer.