Not sure if this is supposed to go here or not, but here goes. Tell me if I need to move it or whatever!

So, I have been on T since October of last year, October 11th to be precise. It is now June 30th and I was wondering if I am on the right dosage.

I used to pass like, most of the time. I cut my hair into a mohawk and suddenly, people went back to thinking I am a girl. It's disheartening.

I've seen videos of just on T as long as I have been and they pass 100% completely there is no denying. Most of them seem to be like this. I don't have a video of my voice or anything, but I can provide one if you guys think it would help.

No hair growth save for an itty bitty bit of peach fuzz on my upper lip and...one sideburn. This isn't terribly unexpected, as my father can ONLY grow a mustache.

I have a fair bit of acne, which I'm treating with some topical medication.

My voice is my main problem. (I think I'm going through my second voice drop, since my voice is cracking and squeaking) I know that everyone progresses at different rates, but it just seems like the majority of men are further along than me. My doctor is EXTREMELY hard to get ahold of, because I do things through The LA Gay and Lesbian Center, and they royally SUCK. It's nearly impossible for me to ask my doctor anything about my dosage or if I'm okay where I'm at.

im on injections.

Edit for picture of me: Taken yesterday

You may need to edit that dose, bud. We aren't supposed to be talking about dosage.

Regarding your question, T is different for everyone. I passed well, but I have changed a LOT since 9 months. Looking back at picks, I'm surprised i DID pass. You will look different too. Just make sure you get those T levels checked, and as long as theyre in the right range, you should be seeing changes. Patience is a virtue

You'll need to edit out your dose (or a mod will do it soon) but the best way to tell is those blood tests for T levels.  Progression is different for everyone but if your T levels are low in a blood test, that's the only indicator that can be used for justifying increasing dose.

Quote from: Hayzer12 on July 01, 2013, 12:11:07 AM
You may need to edit that dose, bud. We aren't supposed to be talking about dosage.

Regarding your question, T is different for everyone. I passed well, but I have changed a LOT since 9 months. Looking back at picks, I'm surprised i DID pass. You will look different too. Just make sure you get those T levels checked, and as long as theyre in the right range, you should be seeing changes. Patience is a virtue

Didn't know about the dose thing! It's edited now, I totally understand why we aren't allowed to talk about it.

I just had my appointment a few weeks ago, but my tests hadn't come in yet because of the incompetence of the staff at the office, but my doctor said that she would call me if there was anything wrong. I'm assuming needing to up the dose would count as something wrong, but she's very busy and hard to get ahold of, so I don't know whats up. Maybe I will e-mail her.

I suppose I'm just being impatient, I have notice a LOT of changes in the past nine months, it just seems like most people have more. But, it's different for everyone, so comparing myself is rather silly. Thanks guys!

I was behind you at my 9 months...I wasn't passing at all, no facial hair except a creeper stache (lol), and my voice was...deeper but not in the male range. I am 14 months in and pass almost 100%, beard is filling in pretty nicely over the last few months, and voice sounds male to others (I'm too dysphoric about it).

I guess what I am saying is don't worry too much, some of us just take longer than others. I was really depressed when I felt "behind" and in some ways, I still do for my time on hormones compared to other guys, but at the end of the day it all evens out.

Quote from: FlightyBrood on June 30, 2013, 11:59:07 PM
My doctor is EXTREMELY hard to get ahold of, because I do things through The LA Gay and Lesbian Center, and they royally SUCK. It's nearly impossible for me to ask my doctor anything about my dosage or if I'm okay where I'm at.

im on injections.

I heard from a close friend that works there that they are trying to find more doctors because the one they have for trans care is totally overwhelmed.

For the time being, maybe it would be a good idea to seek the help of a different endocrinologist that isn't so overloaded with patients?

I second the idea of finding a new doctor, if you can. On doses: everyone is different. What works for one person may not necessarily work for you. I would not play with the dose without the guidance of a doctor to monitor your levels, as hormones are tricky and hold the potential to hurt your body instead of help it if you do something wrong. The FORM of T and the frequency you take it might also be the problem. If you're on shots, you might want to ask about a more frequent dose schedule(if you do monthly injections, ask about weekly or every two weeks, etc) or see if you can take a daily gel/compounded cream. I use Androgel alone and have had really good results.

Another thing to think about: does your doctor give you your lab results? Do you know what your testosterone levels are in comparison to your estrogen? Some doctors think that if you're just barely in the 'normal' male range for T levels, you have no right to complain or feel worried. My doctor has expressed to me that even though my levels are in the right range, I should feel free to ask her any questions or share concerns about the rate of changes I experience so we can modify my dose if necessary. It's really something that needs to be personalized, you know what I mean?

But I'm getting ahead of things. Really, if you can't talk to your doctor about your concerns, it's time to move on to someone who WILL help you. You don't want someone who can't communicate with you for this. Especially when you're worried about things like your voice and passing.

Quote from: ornismon on July 01, 2013, 07:07:31 AM
I second the idea of finding a new doctor, if you can. On doses: everyone is different. What works for one person may not necessarily work for you. I would not play with the dose without the guidance of a doctor to monitor your levels, as hormones are tricky and hold the potential to hurt your body instead of help it if you do something wrong. The FORM of T and the frequency you take it might also be the problem. If you're on shots, you might want to ask about a more frequent dose schedule(if you do monthly injections, ask about weekly or every two weeks, etc) or see if you can take a daily gel/compounded cream. I use Androgel alone and have had really good results.

Another thing to think about: does your doctor give you your lab results? Do you know what your testosterone levels are in comparison to your estrogen? Some doctors think that if you're just barely in the 'normal' male range for T levels, you have no right to complain or feel worried. My doctor has expressed to me that even though my levels are in the right range, I should feel free to ask her any questions or share concerns about the rate of changes I experience so we can modify my dose if necessary. It's really something that needs to be personalized, you know what I mean?

But I'm getting ahead of things. Really, if you can't talk to your doctor about your concerns, it's time to move on to someone who WILL help you. You don't want someone who can't communicate with you for this. Especially when you're worried about things like your voice and passing.

Main problem with finding a new doctor: None of the Endos around here (there are very few, im in orange county) will take my insurance. Those that do require a letter from a therapist, which I am VERY reluctant to go do, because my last therapist turned out to be something of a scam artist and never actually gave me the letter I needed. She also wanted to send me to a very expensive endo that didn't take any insurance at all, and I have no job. (I'm financially stable though, don't worry) I'd LOVE to get a Doctor that is closer and easier to get ahold of, but the odds of that are really slim.

My Doctor does ask me what changes I've had, and if I am happy with them as they are, and I just started feeling self conscious after  I cut my hair, because I instantly stopped passing. Now I'm thinking 'how do I look do I sound okay??' and it's honestly probably just me. I've sent my Doctor and e-mail asking about my current T levels, though.

Going to bold this so people see it: Nobody has to worry about me screwing around with the dose on my own. I'm not a doctor, so I'm not about to act like one!

When was the last time you had your levels tested? I think that is the indicator you need. Everyone does progress at their own rate though regardless. Your levels can be optimal but your genes are taking their sweet time. Thanks for editing out your dose info, btw. Dose really isn't an indicator of what your levels would be anyway since everyone's body processes hormones at different rates. For example, I am post hysto and still take a rather high dose. I read a lot of guys are able to decrease their dose after removal of their ovaries but not me.

I'm on the flip side of this issue. I'm right at 6 1/2 months and am turning into an Ewok. It's embarrassing to admit but I'm constantly shaving my chest since I haven't had top surgery and having a lot of hair there right now makes me feel like a circus freak when I see myself after a shower.  My gf shaves my back a lot too. My dad was Spaniard and they're hairy people.

Why did I tell you that? Because there are two sides to every coin. I think there are times that all of us are uncomfortable or unhappy with our progress. It'll all work out for us eventually though. It all takes time man.