The difficult thing about hormones is there's really no telling how a "low" or "regular" dose will affect you until you try it. Most doctors who regularly work with trans folks will start you off on a low dose to ease your body into it. But there's really no telling what your body will do from there. I was on a low dose for a month to start, and I had just as many changes as guys who started on a regular dose.
As far as blockers go - how old are you? These are primarily used to stop puberty, so that your body doesn't continue or start to feminize. If you are past puberty, they won't really do anything for you other than stop your period and drop your estrogen levels down. No masculinizing changes. Testosterone by itself will do both of those things within about three months of starting it. I have also heard that they are very expensive.
So - it really depends what you want and what you think you can reasonably get away with, with your family. If your period bothers you the most and blockers are covered by your insurance, then they may be worth pursuing. Especially since it may take longer for a period to stop on a low dose of testosterone. As far as T and dosing, the only sure way to see what it'll do for you is to try it. You can always cut back your dose.
I also think it would depend how long you intend to keep it a secret. It's tougher for FTMs to hide the changes that are taking place. A voice drop could be disguised as a cold - but excess body hair, developing facial hair? Signs of something going on hormonally. I don't know what your situation is like, but I'd urge you to take a look over the list of changes that testosterone induces, and figure out how you intend to explain them without outing yourself. I'd say you'd have 3-6 months probably before someone notices that something is going on with you. Less if they're nosy.
And speaking of nosy folks, make a plan for hiding your medicine. When you think of T, most people just think of the single dose for the week/two weeks. But once a quarter, I come home with a big bag from the pharmacy of T and syringes. They've got to go somewhere. Used needles have to be disposed of properly as well. Syringe wrappers, alcohol swabs, and bandaids all generate some trash.
Not intending to turn you off the course you're on, just want to give you as much to think about as possible before you take the leap. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice.
