I have just started looking up information on FTM and I am considering going through with trying to start using "T" but i wanted to know how did some of you go about it what is the best way and the right way to go about it because i have read somethings on different sites where some have done it taking pills

I don't think pills are recommended anymore because they tend to cause more liver damage. In fact, I don't think I know of anyone who uses pills. The guys I know either inject or use a gel or cream; some guys outside of the U.S. have implants or Nebido injections, although I don't know much about those options.

In my experience in the U.S., injections are preferred by most. For one thing, injections are much cheaper than gels and creams.

Welcome to the site, by the way. Feel free to formally introduce yourself in the Introductions section.

Testosterone pills do not work.  The liver breaks it up before it ever hits the bloodstream.

Testosterone Cypionate injections are the best and cheapest method.  No one can patent the testosterone injections (cypionate, ethanate, propianate etc).  Any drug company can seek FDA approval to manufacture T, which means it is competitively priced.

Androgel and similar products are patented and comparatively high priced. 

In the US testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance.  Even possessing it without a prescription is a crime. Anything you find for sale online could be fake.

Any physician can prescribe T for you, but many would hesitate.  I suggest you study up on "informed consent" clinics.  Google "informed consent testosterone" to learn more.

Quote from: Randi on June 28, 2013, 11:15:17 PM
Testosterone pills do not work.  The liver breaks it up before it ever hits the bloodstream.

I couldn't remember what I had read about the pills. I just knew that nobody I know takes them. But some guys do take supplements to boost their natural T. I know absolutely nothing about them.

Drew, does your city have an LGBT center? That's often a good place to start.

Quote from: Randi on June 28, 2013, 11:15:17 PM
Testosterone pills do not work.  The liver breaks it up before it ever hits the bloodstream.

Testosterone Cypionate injections are the best and cheapest method.  No one can patent the testosterone injections (cypionate, ethanate, propianate etc).  Any drug company can seek FDA approval to manufacture T, which means it is competitively priced.

Androgel and similar products are patented and comparatively high priced. 

In the US testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance.  Even possessing it without a prescription is a crime. Anything you find for sale online could be fake.

Any physician can prescribe T for you, but many would hesitate.  I suggest you study up on "informed consent" clinics.  Google "informed consent testosterone" to learn more.

That's right the pills cause liver damage, so no one prescribes them anymore. Injections are the cheapest, but there are those of us who are taking compounded cream. This is cheaper than Androgel by a LOT, but more than injections.

--Jay

Arch, I am not sure but I am from the South so I doubt that their is one in my area but it is definitely something that I will look in to. Also thank you all for your helpful responses

Quote from: Arch on June 28, 2013, 11:48:24 PM
I couldn't remember what I had read about the pills. I just knew that nobody I know takes them. But some guys do take supplements to boost their natural T. I know absolutely nothing about them.

Drew, does your city have an LGBT center? That's often a good place to start.

A guy friend of mine said he had to be careful with the gel/cream. Apparently, if he got any of it on his girlfriend, she could start experiencing the same effects that he's trying to achieve!

While he does prefer injections, he mentioned that he thinks he is starting to get a buildup of scar tissue from so many injections.

That's all I really know about T. Hope it helps!

Drew, if you are not living in one of the larger, more enlightened cities with lots of resources--or if you are in one of the less trans-friendly states--you can start a thread in which you specify your state or city in the subject line and ask whether anyone knows of good resources. We have members from all over at this site, and someone is likely to be able to advise you about an informed consent clinic, trans-friendly doctor, or LGBT center with trans resources.

You also have Google, and Susan's Place has directories (so do some other trans sites). In addition, if you have health insurance, some policies (admittedly, not many) are fairly liberal about covering trans health, although you might have to dig up doctors on your own. Finally, if you are in college, you can often get help and references through the school.

everyone i have talked to(youtube and facebook) has done shots. they all seem to be getting good results too

I know of a couple of people who need a stable daily dose (usually because of other issues, such as mental health problems) and a couple of guys who don't like needles. These guys use gels and creams. Everyone else I know injects, even if they don't do it themselves and need to have a friend or a clinic nurse do it.

I've run into a few guys who started on gel or cream, didn't get very fast results, and switched to injections. The consensus seems to be that injections get faster results, but I haven't seen any official data.