So, I'm going to see a naturopath later this week. I have other issues to deal with with the ND (pain, weight gain, and depression issues), but I also put down possible GD as an issue I'd like to discuss. The initial appointment is 60 minutes so I should be able to discuss it, if not at length, at least briefly.

Has anyone ever worked with an ND to enhance or create a T regimen through herbs etc? If you have, can you let me know how it went or what herbs you were given? Or what other regimens the ND might have suggested?

There are herbs and so on that increase T in the system that is assigned female is questionable. Obviously there is some T in your system. To what extent they create a "natural transition" is another story. What I see when I look at videos is young people who have had some meaningful muscle growth which appears more masculine but you can do this with exercise and diet alone. There are some guys who can't get access to T who do this. But you see that they don't really transition very much, perhaps about similar to 3-4 months on T. If that's all you need, that's okay, but it wouldn't be enough for me.

To what extent they are safe is quite another. My doctor who is quite comfortable with all sorts of alternatives feels they are more toxic on the liver than injected or topical T.

Some compounding pharmacies use topical "natural T". To what extent this is a "real thing" is still another question, but IMO, it's a more realistic way of going about this. At least you would be using something that is more medically proven. OTOH, you may pay more for this without clear medical benefits after all T is T.


So I'd guess it would matter what your ends were because a diet and exercise program could be safe, but the herbs are a bit questionable.


Just my 2¢.


--Jay

Quote from: LoriLorenz on December 02, 2014, 12:27:34 AM
So, I'm going to see a naturopath later this week. I have other issues to deal with with the ND (pain, weight gain, and depression issues), but I also put down possible GD as an issue I'd like to discuss. The initial appointment is 60 minutes so I should be able to discuss it, if not at length, at least briefly.

Has anyone ever worked with an ND to enhance or create a T regimen through herbs etc? If you have, can you let me know how it went or what herbs you were given? Or what other regimens the ND might have suggested?

There are a few NDs at my trans care clinic, but from what I know, they prescribe the same injectable T in oil regimen. But I'm neither an ND nor an ND patient, so that could be a misconception on my part, or a practice specific to my clinic.

G'luck!

Captains, don't know why not. It's a "natural product", I think I should have used bioidentical, as that's what some compounding products use. It's only available in topical, afaik, and may be more expensive.

--Jay

I read up on "natural transitioning" when I thought I was going to have to go through more than three months of therapy and I found several takes on it that basically called it a crock. It basically came down to needing to diet and workout like a mad man in additional to the herbs you're taking in order to alter your appearance and T levels. Like Jay said, I think it would only be a viable option if you were looking for minimal changes.

You could always ask what their recommendations would be as far as HRT goes. I'd be interested in hearing if they express a preference for a particular T delivery method and why that would be.

Quote from: ftmax on December 02, 2014, 03:20:56 PMYou could always ask what their recommendations would be as far as HRT goes. I'd be interested in hearing if they express a preference for a particular T delivery method and why that would be.

I will try and get that in there ftmax! GD is just one of the things on my list to discuss, so we shall see what comes of it.

Quote from: aleon515 on December 02, 2014, 01:11:17 AM
So I'd guess it would matter what your ends were because a diet and exercise program could be safe, but the herbs are a bit questionable.

Thanks for the insight. One thing that twigs in my brain is that maybe the naturopathic side of things might help with a more gradual shift and make a transition into T easier on the system.
My main goal in going is for pain management and weight gain because of my back issues, so I'm currently in a position where major exercise is a very distant possibility. For that reason, I will simply be gathering information on the trans* side of things. After all, I want and need to be hale and healthy before I try to do muscle bulking or any transitions.

I had excellent results using tongkat Ali, has to be fresh and pure. It does not boost t it keeps it circulating in your system longer. I now use it alongside t and my levels are always perfect.

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I think it would be safer and easier to just go low T. You can take a lower dose. It's done some places. Of course, the changes are slow in coming. NOt sure how *easy* it is. Some guys have found it frustrating, but there are some reasons to do it. For instance, someone who wants to continue to sing thru transition. A slower transition can help with that.

I've heard of guys doing herbs to see if they wanted to transition. Not sure if that would help, think maybe therapy is more helpful for this.

You can keep yourself healthy by improving your diet and exercise regimen. Certainly helped me.

--Jay

Again, good insight, thank you Jay!

My health issues are related to the pair of genetic syndromes I got dealt with. Because of my two syndromes (gawd... that sounds like an old TV sitcom "My Two Syndromes") and the concurent scoliosis that came with my "version" I am stuck with amounts of pain that even morphine cannot fully curb. The Canadian medical system is what I get to deal with, and its main motto (as given by many a patient) is "hurry up and wait". So I have been on interminable wait lists for the regular procedures and while I wait, remain on appetite surpressing narcotics. This in turn compounds my meagre ability to gain weight, since I also received a case of full-body muscle hypertonia, in essence making me always as thin as a rail no matter how much I eat because my muscles use around 150% or the energy someone else of the same stature - but without the muscle hypertonia - as I.

So, that lovely paragraph means I am underweight and have low appetite due to pain/medication, not to mention that any more than basic exertion leaves me incapacitated the next day or so. Yay for me.

Anywhooo, yes, I think that an "herbal T trial" is probably what I'm after at this stage, as I also need to find a local shrink who can help me sort out the muddle that is my head! I am still very much stealth in that the only person aware of my desires to trans has no contact with my family (other than FaceBook) and she is wonderfully understanding and uses my name and pronoun choices only in person.

As a Martial Artist, I know the value of healthy eating and exercise, I simply cannot manage the latter and the former is out the window as I find it difficult to get out on my own for any significant amount of time.

Just to keep tabs and updated for anyone curious. I did see the Naturopath, but we are gonna hold off on anything regarding T etc until I'm at a wellness place with weight and pain issues.

Quote from: LoriLorenz on December 06, 2014, 06:44:58 AM
Just to keep tabs and updated for anyone curious. I did see the Naturopath, but we are gonna hold off on anything regarding T etc until I'm at a wellness place with weight and pain issues.

Thanks for the update.  Hopefully, in the meantime you can get a therapist and like you said sort some things out.