I am not currently taking T, but I am looking to start. According to an online body fat percentage calculator (which I'm only using for purposes of approximation, I know it's less accurate than real-life tests) I have approximately 22% body fat, which is on the low end of average for women. A man of my height, weight, and waist size will have something like 9% body fat, on the low end of average for men.

Now, I know that T will redistribute body fat, but will it reduce its overall level to that of a comparably built cis man? Or would I be stuck at 22% body fat until I start exercising in order to reduce it, regardless of my hormone balance?

Some guys lose body fat and some guys gain. I suspect that multiple factors are responsible--age, genetics, food intake, and so on. If your appetite increases on T, you can gain fat, but I have a friend whose appetite increased, yet he lost about sixty pounds, or so he says.

I started getting into the exercise habit before starting T, and it was beneficial. Before, during, and after T, I lost about fifty pounds. But I've been so busy the past three months that I have barely exercised at all, and I've regained some of the lost weight. So I would suggest a reasonable and consistent exercise plan, no matter what.

Like others have said it depends on the individual and his genetics. I was into bodybuilding before T, and I was huge for a female-bodied person in terms of muscle mass. T was now my chance to go on a bulking phase and eat more than ever before, because more of it would contribute to muscle gains now rather than fat as it did before. Over 4 months I have put on 15 pounds, a lot of muscle and some fat of course. Fat that would easily be lost later. I suggest you get a gym membership before T, and once youre on T, use that to your advantage to lose weight or build muscle like you never could before with little testosterone levels