I'm wondering if I buy T injections and inject them myself would work as well (or well enough) as if I went the typical route and saw a therapist, got the papers, and got a prescription from a doctor. It just seems unnecessary to have to be told something about myself I've known since I was 7 years old. From what I've read, they sometimes give you enanthate anyways, so whats the difference if I gave it to myself? Could I still get top surgery if I went this route?

I would think that the major reason for some medical supervision and guidance is that despite what you know about yourself, these drugs are extremely powerful, have permanent side effects and vary in effects from person to person.  So a little professional supervision might have some benefits.

Susan's does not support self medication:

Rule 8:

8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:


A. Advocating for or against a specific medication or combinations of medications for personal gain is strictly prohibited.
B. Discussing the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription, and self medication without a doctors care is prohibited.
C. Discussing dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.

We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.


Sarah L.

sigh.

Rules aside, don't do it. While there is a standard for dosage it is not right for everyone you can do major damage to your liver and have other health risks if you are not seeing a doctor. This is coming from someone who found out the "standard" dose does not work for me, and I have no other medical conditions and am very healthy so it has nothing to do with that. In the end it is not worth shortening your life because it seems like a bit of a pain.  They aren't only giving you a perception but also monitoring your health for the long haul. Just don't do it!
Andrew

To add to Myles' advice, going the official route really isn't that difficult. See a therapist for a few sessions, then see a doctor a few times a year and that's it usually. A T script is surprisingly cheap even when paying out of pocket too.

I considered this too. Considering that a 'standard' dose can be way too much or way to little, depending on the person, you're not likely to have effective results without the care of a physician. There's also the health of your liver (and to a lesser extent, your heart) to worry about.

There are ways to get hormones without therapy (like an informed consent clinic), if you're dead set against seeing a therapist, but you should still be going through a doctor.
Part of getting a prescription is making sure that what's in that bottle is actually testosterone; not heroin or drain-o or wheat gluten. You never know, with those grey and black market drug providers. If you're going through a professional, at least you have some reassurance that you're getting what you're asking for.

Besides. You've waited since you were 7, what's a couple more months? A therapist isn't just going to tell you what you already know, but has helped other people with the social complications of transitioning (like having friends and family ditch them) and might be pretty useful to have around if/when those things happen to you.

Even though it is not that difficult to get.  You need to get you blood panels checked on a regular basis if you are FTM, and everyone's blood levels and hormones are different, so even if there is a mean in general it may be too much or too little for you.  You prob should seek a very good endo or obgyn that has experinece with FTM as most GP's do not have a clue.

And in my research I've found that the "standard dose" is a broad concept. In algebra terms (to avoid giving dosage info), it ranges from X to 2X.
That means, the highest point of the standard dose is twice as much as the lowest point.

There's no way for you to know your own hormone levels without a blood test.
There's no way for you to know which version of "a standard dose" is right for you without being able to know your hormone levels.

Too much T and your chesticles will grow and you will become more feminine in appearance. Too little and it's effect will be small and slow.

Our bodies may not be what we want them to be, but the bodies we want is built on the foundation of the bodies we have. If that foundation isn't kept up to code, what's built upon it won't be.
The way to the body you want is through taking care of the one you have, which includes getting the help you need to make the changes you want and do it "right".

At one Time I self med. For me self med made me stay away from doctors when I was really sick. I also questioned the effectiveness of meds or my dosage. For a year it seem my transition was on pause and once I started legally my transition seem to be back on track.

Take care,
Anna

As one of many who have self-medicated, I must state don't do it.  There are too many complications and health risks.  Go the proper way as several have said.  Don't risk your health.



Hugs and Love
Janet

Before I ever seriously considered HRT, I have used vitamins and other supplements to alter my hormonal profile (as I am a male).

I used zinc to naturally increase my testosterone.  Beta-sitosterol to block DHT.  Licorice as an aromatization blocker (mostly Good 'n' Plenty's).

I only now dawns upon me that increasing testosterone is basically the only direct route to estrogen for a male.


But you might try zinc.  It is ~safer and cheaper than HRT.  It may even be a real option as HRT is concerned because the quantities produced in a male are enormous and may be unachievable through HRT (especially without medical assitance).


^{medication info}

I really don't think taking zinc would help much, if at all

Even if it is a transition metal

Really nerdy jokes aside, if you have the money to pay for non-prescription HRT, then you may as well just use that money for professional care just to keep yourself safe and make sure all the paper work for the Gender marker change and referrals for surgery can be done.

"quantities produced in a male are enormous and may be unachievable through HRT "

Why would you think that adequate levels maybe unacheivable?

Landyn,

Do you want to be a live man or do you want to be dead attempted-man?  It's your body - the only one you're going to get.  Don't risk screwing it up just because the safer route is a hassle.

JMHO.

- Kate