Hello,

So i've been on testosterone for over two years now, and for probably the past year and half my face has been horrible. I've had cystic acne and a lot of scarring and just pretty much break out all the time. I never have clear skin anymore and it's affecting my self esteem. So i've been doing a lot of research on accutane. My derm told me I should go on it but I told him I didn't want to because I was scared of the side effects and the horror stories i've heard about it. But after trying pretty much EVERYTHING including, diet, working out, water intake, all natural, proactive, retin-a, etc etc.. I am fed up. I think I really just need to go on accutane. So my question is, any guys who have been on hormones go on accutane? I feel like since testosterone already affects the liver then it will be worse since accutane also affects the liver. Please let me know! Thanks!

I'm not a guy but I went on accutane my first puberty and it removed the acne in 3 months , it got worst before it got better , to point where I didn't want go to school. I had nose bleeds, Obviously I wasn't on hormones at the time but I was taking a prescription drug that also effects the liver , and I was having nose bleeds , so best to ask your dermatologist. But the effects lasted me a long time , I barely had any breakouts was worth it to me.

That was also after 3 years trying every solution in the book/dermatologists , before they would prescribe me it . I got an off pimple here and there but 1000x worst than before, I just wish I had listened to my parents and not squeezed the acne, stupid acne scars in bad lighting isn't nice but meh

Liver filters blood. All drugs go through the liver. Some just wreak more havoc than others. Worst is taking multiple drugs. My liver complained badly about antibiotics, intravenous ones at that.

I don't see why it would be any worse than a cis guy using it.

My brother who's cis went on accutane years back. He had kinda bad acne, but using it cleared it up. Now he had a blood clot last year (years after taking accutane) and he's not sure if it's related, but it's probably not and more genetic/lifestyle related if anything I don't know.

Trans guys on T taking accutane isn't an issue, cause it's the same thing with cis guys. They have T too, so it's not like we're at a higher risk of anything anymore than them.

I took Accutane and I will be the first to tell you, DO NOT take it unless you are sure it's what you want. As with transitioning, it's a long process and no part of it is pleasant. But the end result is worth it.


I will tell you that it is a serious drug, though. Make sure you talk to a doctor about how the hormones will change the medicine. As a normal, not full of hormones person you have to have a psych screening (if you are female), and the mental effects are significant.

Everyone always talks about the liver failures and the blood clots, but there are other more serious side effects. For example, you can actually start to go insane. Towards the end of my treatment I was legitimately starting to hear/see shadows that nobody else seemed to notice. And my vision is changed, Accutane can alter your night vision permanently. As well as cause extreme depression and in a lot of cases people have to get a therapist because it makes you slightly suicidal.


Granted, this doesn't happen to everyone. But it CAN happen. Just know what you're doing before you do it, and make sure the risk is worth it.

I believe it is different than a cis guy because our testosterone is a drug which we inject, therefore being processed through the liver, while a cis guys testosterone is not. That is why we have to have blood tests every once in a while to get our livers checked and things like that. But thanks for all the answers. Alara: That is pretty scary, which is why i've been debating it so long, but my acne is getting to the point where I am getting really fed up with it and it's affecting my life. I might wait a little while longer to see if maybe even after 2 years on testosterone, I still need to get used to it for the acne to clear up.

Cis peoples livers deal with  the same hormones.


http://www.womensinternational.com/connections/liver.html


Hormone Metabolism

The liver plays a vital role in the body's use of hormones, both those that are produced naturally in our bodies as well as those hormones that are "introduced" via hormone therapies. It acts as a hormone processor, manufacturing and/or regulating some hormone levels, and directing various hormones to perform their proper function in other parts of the body. But when the body experiences a hormone excess (whether produced by the body or introduced by hormone therapy), the liver may not be able to process the hormone(s) as quickly or efficiently, causing a hormone imbalance.

Hormone levels are monitored and kept in the low normal range for this reason.