Hi,

My name is Eden and I've deliberated for a long time about joining one of these sites, but I really do need some advice and don't really know where else to get it... I hope being a non trans man won't offend anyone, and if it does - all I can say is I'm sorry, but I don't know where else to go.

My story essentially is this: Although I am a cis male (male assigned male at birth) I suffer from a genetic condition called Klinfelters Syndrome, whereby I have an extra female chromosome (XXY) and to not naturally produce an adequate amount of testosterone.

You may be thinking "Why not go to an XXY forum?" and the answer is that I have, but it turns out that as well as having a rare generic disorder, I'm in a minute percentage within that percentage where I'm effected differently.

Most Klinfelters men are identified in puberty. Their fat distribution is feminine; they tend to be um 'larger' than average; they cannot grow body or facial hair and have underdeveloped sexual organs. With me, I wasn't diagnosed until a few years ago when I had some blood tests done to figure out why I have so little energy. What makes me different from most Klinfelters men is that I do produce some testosterone. My voice broke; I have quite a lot of body hair; can grow a decent beard and my sexual organs developed normally. The difference is basically body fat and muscle. I am 6"2, and although most of my height comes from having very long legs, I weigh just over 8 stone and am extremely skinny.

To get to my point, I've consulted with an endocrinologist who advised me to go on testosterone and told me that my process of taking it and the way it will effect me will be very similar to a FtM trans man.

So if possible could some of you help me answer a few questions and address some fears?

1) Although I've never been particularly happy about my appearance (too skinny) I am vain abo about my hair. It is very thick and long. I'm terrified that if I start taking testosterone that it will all start falling out

2) I had severe acne in my teens which has left my face scarred and shattered my self confidence. It took me a long time to get over that and am afraid that testosterone will make it come back with a vengeance.

3) if I do start taking it, how soon can I expect to build some muscle? Like I said before I am very thin, but also in my chest, very underdeveloped. Imagine the torso of a skinny 12yo boy and you'll have an idea.

3a) Also, what kind of exercise will I need to focus on?

Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated, this is a huge undertaking for me and if I decide to do it, it'll not just be for vanity (wanting a more masculine shape) but for my health too as my endocrinologist has told me that the low testosterone has made my bones brittle and is the reason why I have so little energy.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Eden
X.

Welcome to Susan's Place. I am a MTF but I didn't start female hormones until after puberty so I can give you some of those answers as I came by mine naturally. I to am 6'2" and have a skinny build but the test showed me as xy male.

1. Hair loss depends on your genetic makeup. Both sides of my family have full heads of hair and I am blessed with a full head of hair. There is a bit of pattern baldness on my dad's side of the family but I was off T before that happened. Some  FTM start losing hair pretty quick so history may give you an idea about hair but it is a gamble.

2  Acne is something I was cursed with as well. You might flare up again but there are better treatments for it now than I had. My acne was greatly reduced by removing the T from my system but I sill get pimples once in a while.

3. I lost muscle but not much because I didn't have much to start with I had about 14 years of exposure to T and never developed enough strength to chin myself. Some FTMs become very muscular on T but again it depends on how sensitive you are to T and what your genetics say.

As for your energy levels, I have been off all sex hormones for about 10 years and still am able to do pretty much everything I need to. Males are stronger because of T but a healthy diet and exercise also figure into your energy levels. It may sound strange but I do a 2 mile walk every night and at first it wore me out but now I feel better throughout the day because of it.

As for bone density, if your doctor is worried about it, there is a simple test to determine your bone strength. Have that test run and see if it is an issue. If so, up your vitamins D if needed and consume calcium while you are on T. That should help restore normal bone strength. 

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Just a couple of things.   Like Dena said, hair loss is more influenced by genetics rather than hormone levels.  Until very recently my testosterone levels were pretty high at age 56 and I have never experienced any hair loss to speak of.

For building strength and muscle I want to recommend a book you can get from Amazon.  "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe.  You will need access to a gym with heavy barbells but this program will work for anyone.  The book is great because it goes into great detail on everything, especially how to do the exercises properly and safely.  You will start seeing strength increases the first week. 

For building muscle and strength you will also need to be eating in a calorie surplus so some fat gain is expected.  That you can lose later.  The book also discusses all that.

A cardiovascular program of some sort is also important but if you are trying to build muscle somewhat contraindicated.  A moderate program of running or cycling for 30 min 3 times a week should fit in though.  A lot more than that may interfere in building muscle as your body uses the time in between the strenuous weight sessions to rebuild and get stronger.


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Hi and welcome,

All gender issues are complex and there are no straight answers. At a recent conference there was a case presentation of a Kleinfelter male who was put on T, at his request to increase testicular growth and fertility, this was done under supervision. He rapidly became gender dysphoric as he masculinised, then began identifying as female (which was a shock to her).

She has now been reassigned successfully and remains in a happy relationship with her female partner.

I suppose what I am saying is that: First, nothing is straight forward in gender and sexuality issues. Secondly, make sure you have a good medical team looking after you who respect you as a client and as a person. Third, Kleinefelter's is complex, it is on the edge of intersex/transgender medicine, some clients have no issues, some do and no one can predict anything, even the client!

Fourthly (?) you deserve respect, happiness and fulfilment as a totally normal human being and a good gender teams will should give you that.

I have hormone imbalance too, but only officially diagnosed recently after going through an "mtf" kind of second puberty at 30 yo.
I was advised to increase my t levels by my doctors but i surprised him by deciding to go the other way lol.

I was diagnosed as hypogonadic at age 57.  That was nine years ago.  My testosterone level was 150 in a 300-1100 scale. One of my symptoms was nodding off to sleep during the day, even though I had adequate sleep the night before. I immediately started weekly shots of testosterone cypionate.

It was immediately successful.  I started walking... first just around the block and then 1 mile, working up to 3 or more miles per day.  I took up water aerobics and sometimes did two classes in a row, three days a week.  A few summers ago I logged walks totaling more than 500 miles.

Here's the paradoxical thing.  I'm overweight, if not obese, and fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase.  Aromatase converts testosterone to estradiol, the most portent type of estrogen.  Six months after starting hormone replacement, my nipples were erect all the time.  My breasts were budding. 

In my youth, from my earliest memories, I had wanted to be a girl.  By the time I was 16 I had been introduced to sexual intercourse by a girl who had taken a liking to me. At this point I forgot all about my earlier desire to be a girl.  From age 16 to 57 I was a fairly typical CIS male.

I don't know if it was the testosterone or the estradiol, but, as Cindy mentioned above, I became very dysphoric.  I remembered that when I was in the seventh and eighth grades, and my girl friends were developing breasts, I envied then and wanted to be like them.  I also remembered the long suppressed desires from age 3 to 16.

Now, nine years after starting testosterone replacement, I consider myself female.  I went a few months without taking testosterone and my T levels were barely measurable.  They were the same at a 66 year old woman.  So I no longer have the ability to produce any testosterone naturally.

I am driven to become female.  I started using small amounts of estrogel and later injections of estradiol.  I find I still need small amounts of testosterone.

Hormones are very powerful and my experience shows the results can be paradoxical.  Now that my estradiol levels are those of a typical female, the dysphoria has largely disappeared.  I'm largely indifferent to my gender.  I could accept being either male or female without much difficulty.  If I bring up my T levels, my desire to be female increases.

Despite my male pattern baldness, my appearance is distinctly feminine.  I have substantial breast and a full rounded butt.  My face is feminine. 

I'm afraid my story will be of little use to you.  Nine years ago, when I started testosterone, I was ready to become a stronger, more masculine person.  Now, for reasons I just don't understand I'm female. If someone had told me I would be changing my sex, I would never have believed it.

Transsexual psychologist Anne Vitale has written about a few of her patients whose dysphoria increased after taking testosterone.  http://www.avitale.com/TNote15Testosterone.htm   

Testosterone is a very important contributor to male pattern baldness, genetics also playing a role but less so. You will notice amongst men that balding is common while it is very rare in pre-menopausal women. It's a well-known fact that eunuchs never experienced baldness because of their low levels of T.

Testosterone and especially dihydrotestosterone will make hairs on top of the scalp shorter and shorter (miniaturization) until they stop growing. Reduce testosterone and/or DHT and things will improve. If on top of the fact that you produce high levels of testosterone, you are genetically predisposed, then your chances of balding are VERY high.

Testosterone and DHT increase sebum production, hence the risk of getting acne. Genetics also make one more likely...so if you got it before, chances are you will again, depending on how much testosterone you are taking.

Best of luck.

I have no clue too how much testosterone is running through my system,my voice never cracked,got pimples after being around fried foods,acne never,I am bone strong,grew breasts instead of pecs. I have hair like a woman,a female body with a penis,I didn't have problems fathering 3 children..testosterone injections have too be well monitored and a lot of blood tests and are nothing I would want too mess around with,I know if I took estrogen my body would take too it like a fish to water,but I have gotten used too being duel gender.

I take finasteride to reduce DHT. Dutasteride is better then finasteride. Like any medication, consult your doctor. If you decide to take T make sure to inquire about fin and dut.

My insurance will not cover dutasteride for trans care. Where I go for trans care I buy my meds without use of my prescription coverage. it is through a federal government program and the meds are cheaper than my insurance co-pay. The place where I go does not carry dutasteride in their formulary. I think I paid $15 today for finasteride.