I had a quick question-
My friend I have mentioned before who was having trouble getting on T, well, he finally got an endo appointment, and when he got the blood tests done, he was told he couldn't start T yet because his vitamin D levels were too low. Since I haven't talked to doctors about transitioning yet, I was curious how T affected the vitamin D levels or why this would stop someone from beginning T.
Thanks!

I don't really know why it has an effect, but when I started T my endo also prescribed vitamin D.

D3 is a big thing with paleo folks. I take about 3 drops of this every day. It's apparently key to your mental health, avoiding depression, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WH0DME/ref=rcxsubs_mys2_product_title

mental health is one thing, building strong bones is another. maybe they're afraid that too little vitamin d combined with less e will affect his bones in a bad way. he just needs more sunlight and fish oil before he can start hrt.

Thanks everyone, makes sense

Quote from: Taka on September 28, 2013, 05:52:53 AM
more sunlight

Personally, I get skin cancer from a Florida postcard, so...

Quote from: dalebert on September 28, 2013, 07:27:17 AM
Personally, I get skin cancer from a Florida postcard, so...

i should probably have mentioned "moderation"... people with lighter skin need less sunlight to produce the hormone (vitamin d).

Quote from: dalebert on September 28, 2013, 07:27:17 AM
Personally, I get skin cancer from a Florida postcard, so...

LOL

My doctor tested me for low Vitamin D, interestingly enough. I don't know if he did it because I was on T, or because he just...thought I might have low Vitamin D.

For whatever reason, my vitamin D likes to remain quite low.

D, 25-Hydroxy 6 ng/mL
D, 25-Hydroxy, D3 6 ng/mL
D, 25-Hydroxy, <4 ng/mL

Yeah, that kind of low. As in might as well be none.

I have no idea where it is now and I really don't care. I feel better than I did before age 12. Physically not just psychologically. Not many can say that and I only can because of T. Oh yeah, this didn't prevent that. My hyperinsulinemia and hypercortisolism also didn't prevent T either. Might just be because I had a competent Endo that even knew before hand, the T would be curative of many of my ills. He was right. Everything E was allowing to be screwed up, T corrected and literally within the first two weeks. Imagine that. It was meant to be.

I wonder if this doc here would prescribe T-blockers for cismen with low D. I somehow doubt it but that's essentially the same machination as this. Kind of stupid, IMO also when considering the fact that T builds and protects bones too... but anyway.

I find it a bit absurd that T is being held off because of a Vitamin D deficiency - considering that it's estimated that 59% of the population is Vitamin D deficient.  It's extremely common, and easily treatable with supplements.

Quote from: Magnus on September 28, 2013, 11:18:01 PM
I wonder if this doc here would prescribe T-blockers for cismen with low D. I somehow doubt it but that's essentially the same machination as this. Kind of stupid, IMO also when considering the fact that T builds and protects bones too... but anyway.

i'd guess they'd give more t to cis men, so the excess can be transformed into estradiol or something. since that's the only way cis men can get that hormone. (not that i actually think they'd do it.)

but yeah, i think it's a little stupid. maybe the doctor was just looking for an excuse to halt hrt. when dealing with doctors, it might some times be necessary to take up their time until you get an explanation of why, and how to fix things. why does the doc thing that low d is a reason to not get t? if he can't explain, then he's just making up things and you can demand that things get along the way it's planned.

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on September 29, 2013, 04:10:28 AM
I find it a bit absurd that T is being held off because of a Vitamin D deficiency - considering that it's estimated that 59% of the population is Vitamin D deficient.  It's extremely common, and easily treatable with supplements.

That might be why. He's not able to swallow pills, so they might still be trying to find a supplement to treat it before he starts T. Also, I don't know if this changes your thinking, but he said he has about half of the vitamin D he should. I've got no idea if that's more deficient than the rest of that 59%.

I think I'll ask him today if they gave him an explanation.

there are all kinds of supplements. some in the form of pretty tasty gummy bears. in norway we also have cod liver oil. it tastes foul, but is easy to swallow. i can't see any reason why he should have problems finding a suitable supplement.

A ton of D supplements aren't pills, I use a disolvable D tablet that you place under your tongue. They're super cheap too. This is a real quick and easy fix issue.

Thanks guys, I'll let him know there's plenty of other non-pills. Also I asked him and he says his doc told him the T won't have the same effects if he has low Vitamin D.

so the reason would be not to waste expensive medicines. there are also some fish oil pills made from gelatin that can be chewed instead of swallowed. and most pills can be crushed and swallowed that way instead. i had to take pills that way once when i was a kid, because i couldn't swallow them whole and i needed the medicine.

Quote from: Taka on September 28, 2013, 08:35:09 AM
i should probably have mentioned "moderation"... people with lighter skin need less sunlight to produce the hormone (vitamin d).

I've worked my way up to Virginia postcards, but still not enough to get my D.

Quote from: dalebert on September 29, 2013, 04:57:54 PM
I've worked my way up to Virginia postcards, but still not enough to get my D.

try an early easter holiday here up north... if it's sunny, i can't walk out of the door without sunglasses. never had that problem closer to the equator. apparently the earth is closer to the sun during the northern winter, and combine that with snow everywhere... you see people sunbathing in snow covered landscapes here. and getting sunburns.