So I've got an appointment with Howard Brown in about three weeks (I think I've been on this website for one day and have said that here about a hundred times already. Sorry! I'm just excited!) and I'm really nervous that they're going to deny me testosterone because I'm overweight. To be specific, I'm about 100 pounds overweight. I had bloodwork done at my university back in April and the doctor I was working with told me everything was within a normal range, but I'm still concerned.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Especially since it's a very long drive for me to get to Howard Brown, I would at least like to have reasonable expectations. If it's not reasonable to expect a script for T, I'd rather go in knowing that. Hopefully, if that's the case, the doctor will at least let me know where I have to get before I can try try again.

Your first appointment is usually an intake one. You will talk to a doctor, have blood drawn, have information given to you regarding the pro's and cons of T, you will be asked to sign a paper saying you understand what you have been told. You will usually make another appointment where the T will be prescribed. You will be given the ability to see lad result and doctor notes online. This online place also allows you to ask questions of your doctor and get replies.

If you have any doubts or questions, ask them in the first appointment or online before committing to the second appointment.

Because I'm driving a long way, I'm having my intake appointment on a Friday and then my second appointment the following Monday so I only have to be in Chicago for a weekend instead of making two trips. I'm just worried that I'll go on Friday and then on Monday I'll be told that I won't be allowed to start until I lose weight or something to that effect.

According to the current SOC, being overweight isn't an absolute contraindication for hormone treatment. Testosterone does put you at increased risk for some of the same problems that obesity does (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and the like), but if you're basically healthy, a knowledgeable doctor will work with you on controlling those risk factors, including getting your weight down, while you start on T. (My cholesterol was a bit high before I started, and my doctor gave me a choice of doing diet and exercise to get it down and waiting on T for 3-6 months, or taking a statin in addition, and starting T in a month. You'll guess which I chose... )

I'm significantly overweight (80-90 lbs), and my endo didn't even bring it up as a possibility for me not starting T. She was concerned that my cholesterol was elevated (but within normal range), but she didn't make any fuss. Not gonna lie, though, I had the same concern.
Provided your health is otherwise decent, there shouldn't be any contraindications. I wouldn't worry about it. Keep us posted though!

This makes me so much more comfortable about visiting HBHC in September. Man thank you guys so much, I really needed reassurance from some people who understand my concern and have experience and knowledge that I couldn't find anywhere else online

Even putting it off for a month would be tolerable though my cholesterol was fine in April so hopefully it's fine enough now. But, as I said, still tolerable.

I guess I'm just feeling like I'm finally finally so close to what I've been working toward for years something has to go wrong, ya dig?

I was heavy when I started (40lbs) and went up to about 70lbs overweight after t. I'm dropping weight but overall I was incredibly healthy. My doc couldn't even tell I smoked. If you are overall healthy it shouldn't stop you from getting T. It wouldn't stop you from getting other medical treatments.

I also doubt it will matter much. There are more guys on this website who are overweight and just fine on T. Your doctor knows best, though.

That being said, for the rest of the transition it may be better to lose some pounds. I don't know if you plan on getting any kind of surgery, but if you do, then preparing for that by losing weight would be best. Being overweight does increase the risk of complications after all. And to top it off, on the website of the hospital where I will be getting chest surgery is clearly stated that the best results are had when you are skinny. Don't get me wrong, being overweight doesn't mean your results will be bad. The contrary, as a lot of guys have shown on this forum. But it is stated on the website for a reason, so something to keep in mind, next to the health benefits of being slimmer. Good luck!

Quote from: Mr.X on August 31, 2014, 03:36:30 AM
That being said, for the rest of the transition it may be better to lose some pounds. I don't know if you plan on getting any kind of surgery, but if you do, then preparing for that by losing weight would be best. Being overweight does increase the risk of complications after all. And to top it off, on the website of the hospital where I will be getting chest surgery is clearly stated that the best results are had when you are skinny. Don't get me wrong, being overweight doesn't mean your results will be bad. The contrary, as a lot of guys have shown on this forum. But it is stated on the website for a reason, so something to keep in mind, next to the health benefits of being slimmer. Good luck!

Yeah, I know. I'm hoping going on testosterone will help because though for the most part I eat healthy meals at the correct portion size (though there have been periods of depression where this is not the case) it is nearly impossible for me to lose weight without rigorous exercise or regularly eating an unhealthily low amount of calories (1200-1300). Exercising in view of others who are reading me as female-- especially without my binder which I can't wear when exercising-- gives me crippling dysphoria. What I'm hoping that testosterone will help me with is to overcome the exercise related dysphoria (and, in a perfect world, the recurring depression) so that I will be able to get in shape.

It's something I've thought about a lot and in the end I just have to live my life as well as I can. If my hopes aren't realized, well, I am who I am, and if that means I'm going to be a fat guy with less than perfect top surgery, so be it. It's better than being a fat and miserable and trying to fit into femininity.

But, anyway, yes, I'm keeping that in mind. I don't mean to come off as defensive, I just wanted to provide an explanation and to thank you for providing the information anyway