this estrogen war, it has struck me that this is just a natural beginning of transition,any given dose, the estrogen will probably fight anyway the first weeks.+ the body needs some time to understand the new groove..
exactly what Im going through,on testogel 50mg.I get extremely tired and anxious in the evenings,and the estrogen seems really angry and bitter at me for trying to defeat it all day,so its full on dysphoria and I can literally feel the battle wars,pretty exhausting.Thanks for adressing this,now I know Im not crazy.Its very calming and takes a lot of anxiety away just to know the facts of the hormone war.Great video,and thanks again for the realistic view on low dose T.
HI, I'm Alex FTM' just out 11 days now and I just wanted to know what kind of an affect T will have on someone like me. I'm 48 year young, healthy, not as active as I should be but still get some exercise and I've already had a complete hysterectomy. I know you're not a doctor but if you could just give me a general idea. Thanks so much. *Peace*
Thanks for this video and evoking some thought provoking questions on low dose. I have just recently changed my injection cycle from weekly to every second week. I have kept the same dose and now it enters into the 'low dose' range. I am keeping an eye on any 'menopausal' symptoms that might appear. I have had a one or two moments when I feel the level is dropping in my system. I will be going for blood tests in the new year (2012). Thanks again for giving points of view on this topic.
hey billy, interesting video. i guess it still leaves me with some questions though - hormone levels on a low dose can cause anxiety but besides that are there detrimental physical side effects to being on a low dose? you said that inducing puberty in your body repeatedly seems like a bad idea, but is there any evidence of that? because by that logic shouldn't taking t at all seem like a bad idea? my doctor says that a low dose is fine so i'm curious to get other opinions. thanks.
@middlegrounded Hey mate, good questions for sure. I like a guy who asks good probing questions! Def wise not to take everything you see/hear/read for granted. To be honest this vid was the accumulation of lots of different bits and pieces I have read. But that said because the question has been asked I am going to try and track back through my research and find the references that led me to these conclusions. I appreciate when it comes to stuff like health you need references!
@middlegrounded I'll try and get back to you in the next couple of days with a comprehensive response. Probably better if I make a response video or write you a msg with the info as I know my response is gonna take longer than 400 characters!!
I have been taking.3ccs of T. before this it was.25cc and my doctor told me this was half dose. I don't wan t to be on a low dose of testosterone but my period stopped right away and she expressed that since my period stopped im probably where i need to be. Is this considered low dose?
@brotherwarriorxx Hey mate, I'm guessing the 'cc's' you're reffering to is a synonym for mls? Most doctors will refer to T in milliliters. Frankly your doctor doesn't know what she's talking about. The healthy dose of T for most guys pre hysto should be 250mls of T fortnightly.The key thing here is that your doctor should be testing your blood at different points in your shot cycle (trough- the day or so just before your next shot is due and peak- the day or two just after you take your shot)
@brotherwarriorxx It sounds from what you have said that you haven't had your bloodwork done at all, which is concerning. Your period stopping is NOT a measurement of how much T you should be on. Yes it can indicate that your levels are above normal female levels and are causing your ovaries to shut down, which is a good sign, but in no way should she use this to indicate how much T should be prescribed. 250mg fornightly should get you in a normal hormonal range.
@brotherwarriorxx 3cc's is from what i can gather 3mls and it is a totally nominal amount of T, meaning that it would have little to no effect on your body. In fact I am suprised it has stopped your period. As I discuss in this video it is very important for you to have steady levels of one or the other hormone in your body. If you can I would find a new doctor or endocrinologist who know's what they are on about and get them to run blood tests on your T levels.
@brotherwarriorxx They should be measuring your free testosterone levels against the normal MALE range, not the normal female range. If you are feeling any of the things I mention in this video (night sweats, anxiety, moodiness, cramping) it could very well be because your ovaries have shut down, so your estrogen levels are dropping and your T levels are not high enough to take control, leaving your body without a dominant hormone and similar to menopause.
@brotherwarriorxx Don't be too alarmed though, you can easily get a script for the proper amount of injectable T (250mg fortnightly) of either Testosterone Enanthate (Primoteston) or Testosterone Cypionate (Sustanon). After 6-12mths on T you can consider going on 1000mg of Testosterone Undecanoate (Reandron or Nobido) which is 3 monthly and gives more steady levels or Testsoterone Pellets which are 5-6 monthly and are the most bioidentical hormones available. Your choice mate, exercise it!!
Just wanted to say that I experienced the same feelings of doubt while I was on the gel. Whenever I woke up during the night, I would be plagued by these thoughts of transitioning being the wrong thing.Until I just saw your video I didnt realize it was because of the low dose!just wonder what the explanation for those specific kinds of thoughts is.Not really a big believer in biological reasons for gender identity related hypotheses,so am really at a loss.V glad I found your video, mate! Thanks!
Low doses are not healthy. Nor to stop and then start again etc. I have certainly stopped .. and will wait until I get the follow-up of a professional, not to mention the correct dose. Looking forward to it!
And as you talked about during the day (after applying the cream), everything went well. But when evening came, all the anxiety came back, and I got to thinking about what I did was right .. and yeah .. all the things you talk about in your video. So I recommend everyone to wait to start on testosterone, and go according to plan.
After the cream was empty, I went about 3 weeks without before I started a new round. And in the new round, I got extreme anxiety. Anxiety in relation to my body, I was dizzy, my heart pounded in a different way, and generally thought I would die.
I know exactly what you're talking about. I've been through a lot of what you are talking about. Officially I do not start with testosterone until August, but I bought testosterone from the internet, and started on low doses, increasing it gradually. Noticed small changes such as more hair, more aggressive, withdrawn, irritable, warmer in the body and much bigger sex drive.
I'm glad that you addressed this subject, and so tactfully as well. I'm never sure what to say to persons I meet who ask me about the effects of low-dose gels. They're looking for explicit masculine traits to pick and choose, I'm just on low-dose to keep my liver from exploding.( I'm still trying to find some way to safely get on higher doses.)
plz give me ur contact number or email address i need to meet u regarding ftm top surgery in sydney with DR megana hassall. my email is muskangill23@yahoo.com.au
I'm on 250mg every 3 weeks. I sometimes start to feel down by the time my shot is due...but my levels are high (according to blood tests). I suppose it's better to stay on this rather than increase it..:/
@CaptainBexx hey mate, yes that was one of the other 'legitimate' reasons for the low dose that i kinda forgot to mention. thanks for bringing it into the discussion. It is very common (at least in oz) for dr's to start u on a lower dose of injectable testosterone before going on the full dose. My endo did that too. It makes sense to me, but it's def not a long term situation. Check out Teddy's comments (below) re: his experience on Sustanon 100.
@Thebutterflyboy hey mate thanks for sharing ur experience! I think if u are intersex or are able to naturally produce more testosterone then u would only need a small dosage of testosterone to get you in the male range, so what you've said makes sense. I know an intersex guy who just uses testogel and that puts him in normal male range. I'm not knocking the use of low dose, just suggesting that whatever dose u need 4 ur body it should b with the aim of getting in a male hormonal range.
As the T was losing it's battle with Estrogen I felt like I had PMT x 100 and it was just plain horrible!
Since beginning the higher dose 250 Sustanon, I have felt much calmer, together and confident in my process. I feel like my transition is now beginning in earnest and would add my voice in echo of your concerns around anyone being on a low dose for any longer then 6 weeks (if at all).
Just my opinion based on my experience of course :)
I totally agree with your points Billy! Also totally relate to your experiences on the low dose. I could only handle three shots of the low dose 100 Sustanon because I started to manifest feelings and behaviours that were not only unbalancing but unsustainable! Towards the end of my T cycle I felt like I was 'hanging out' for more T, I was unable to appropriately process my emotions so was getting reactive and a bit ragey, was emotional in general and felt a complete exhaustion!
I've had the exact same experience. Do you have any resources that suggest physical risks to being on a low dose? I'm searching for stuff currently myself, so this video was quite timely for me.
Personally I feel low dose T isn't a great route as well. When I dropped my T dose my E levels dropped below normal male range to below menopausal which is not good for your bones.
really so your estrogen levels dropped below normal male range when u dropped your t dose? I thought estrogen would rise if you dropped your T dose... But yes low estrogen mimics menopause and without enough T to suppliment the low estrogen you get those horrible menopausal symptoms. Thanks for your comments buddy.
I also want to touch up on another subject you talked about cuz you got me intrigued haha becuz everyones body is different. Our bodies are not somthing to play with. SO its a risk T is not a game not to scare but guys gotta understand its a Lifestyle a Life choice. Its gotta be somthing you already have the strength has got to be there. follow thru. To tell you the truth billy i had no idea guys actually did this its hurts my heart to hear it happens.
@duuuop yeah man I fear that there are an increasing number of guys out there who 'dabble' in testosterone and transition before they have properly prepared themselves for what the changes will mean. You are so right when u say it is a 'life choice'. I don't think it's a good idea 4 people to think that they can transition and then transition back if they don't 'like it'. Because the experience of transition will change u in some fundamental ways. That's why I think it's so important to educate
and build awareness around the implications 4 transition through youtube, in our communities etc, so that other guys don't just see it as some 'cool' new trend or some other way of being 'extreme' and 'radical'. That they understand that the way they relate to the world will alter as the society begins to view them as male. It concerns me too, I just wanna have compassion and provide support to guys questioning their gender, and help them to come to a descion that is right 4 them.
@BillyBarnacle in my experience from watching youtube videos for the last 3 or so years there is a massive influx in number of younger guys and altho this is good to be a "community/support network" ive also for that begining transition in some way has become 'glamorised' i think we need people to come together and really education these younger guys on how transition can/will drastically change your life, not just for the better but also what you 'werenot expecting'
@ljuze mate it is so great to hear u say all this! really heartwarming to know their are guys in other states who care about the welfare and mental state of younger guys considering or starting transition. Actually I'm part of a group in Sydney that is looking at developing some resources 4 transguys in NSW and maybe other states down the track. It would be great to keep in touch with u so that we can maybe get some of those resources out to guys in QLD down the track...
I thought i commented?? Yea I love this video! :D your covering a lot and making a lot of sense. I can totally relate to the low and highs on T i started on a high dose and developed hives weather or not it was the T or estrogen fighting back haha it was bad. The feelings i got self doubt and anxiety were the effects plus changes. Now im on a low dose and i personally feel the changes are the same not more or less than other guys but happiness n stability now. truly the struggles are within us.
@duuuop thanks mate. I actually remember now that you got hives from your first dose. Can u get hives from stress and anxiety? Because I haven't heard of it being a side effect of T...I know that early transition is a very anxiety producing time.Do you know if your body naturally produces more testosterone and so when you went on a higher dose maybe it pushed you into a too high level and that's why you got hives? But hey if you feel good on it and your levels are good then it's all good right!?
awsome video, i also think you did extreamly well to identify some of the "concerns" that particular video/s brought up.... you also mentioned an EXTREAMLY important thing, that being people feel some sort of 'urgency' to start, without thinking about the side effects not just physical but also emotionally, socially ect... ive come across this alot within some of the community i am actively involved here in qld.. but i have come to realise that drs are taking the 'correct'
@ljuze steps in the process, which i have seen you guys get very upset with.... im also very open with them about some of the changes that dont get discussed like here on youtube... thank you for this video, i think it is very appropriatly done, id like to see you do more videos about this sort of thing... thnx man :)
@ljuze hey man thanks for your comments! I'm not at all suprised to hear that there are guys in QLD who think that doctors/psychs making them go to a certain number of sessions before starting T is a bad thing, I have heard a similar line from guys in Sydney. I think it's really important 4 guys 2 b aware of some of the social implications of transition, the realities of the experience that can be confronting if you're not properly prepared for them. I personally think that guys need to have a
as many psych sessions as they need (and maybe even a minimum number imposed like 6 or something..?) to ensure that they have properly thought out the implications of their choice. I would hate transition to become some 'fad', as some way of being like the ultimate queer or something. I think each step towards transition is huge and people don't always realise it. Good to hear that you're informing guys up there and keeping it real!!
@BillyBarnacle yer i agree with you, am i finding that time they have between appts is quite sufficiant which is good... i also agree about the amount of sessions.. i dont have anything to do with the "queer" community but i dont think (personal oppionion) its becoming a 'fad' i guess that may be because a few guys i know ID as 'straight' men there for feel uncomfortable/no need to associate with the LGB... in brisbane as well there is a seperate social gatherings for 'LGB' youth
@ljuze that's interesting...because I think in Sydney in the 'queer' community, (not the 'LGB' community), there is a growing awareness of transitioning as an option and it is becoming a bit 'cool'. There is of course some crossover between the LGB and queer world here, but on the whole I think most Lesbians at 'Lesbian' centric events here are unaware that trans guys really exist. I actually ID as a straight guy, but I think within the queer community there is room for being 'straight' too.
(i find most people 'explore' diffferent things and make life altering decisions without thinking about the concequences) and Trans/intersex youth there is also a specific 'gathering' for the 'older' trans/gender queer/varient people once a month...
all in all i think people being honest about the 'realities' of transition is wat is going to prevent it from becoming a 'fad'
@ljuze and yes lets hope that education will prevent the 'fad' phenommenon. Bodies are precious and shouldn't be messed with until you reach a certainty in your self, I think many people are rushing to go on T and they really need to take a breather. I considered it on and off for 4yrs before deciding!!!
This video is really interesting to me!! Thanks for sharing. I identify with a lot of what you say. I've been on Testogel for 11 months and am just about to switch to Nebido (3 monthly) injections. whilst my changes are happening they are slow and I am still getting monthly cramps (no periods tho!). I only just gave thought to the fact that my dose is relatively low compared to other transmen. It's a good point!! You look and sound great btw =)
@dylanwikifoo hey man glad u found it helpful. Did your endo put you on testogel? Can I ask why you have been on it for a year? I'm interested to hear the reasons why people go on low doses. Good luck with the Nebido, I hear some people like it and others don't, I think mainly because most people go on fortnightly or three weekly injections before nebido/reandron and they get used to the cyclical nature of that, wheras Nebido is longer acting and harder to feel the 'dips in hormone levels'.
also (and I hope I don't rock the boat here) has anyone suggested to you (like your endo) that nebido works best once you have been on fortinightly injections for a while and your body has adapted to the new hormonal landscape and has been in a normal male range for (usually) around 6 mths? It has been my impression that Nebido is more of a 'maintance' dose for people already in male range. But you would know best if your hormone levels are in male range now If so then I guess no harm
this estrogen war, it has struck me that this is just a natural beginning of transition,any given dose, the estrogen will probably fight anyway the first weeks.+ the body needs some time to understand the new groove..
MrJimmyBeat 1 week ago
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Do you ever,like,still sometimes feel the estrogen?...wonder about that,when one has been on T for a long while..
MrJimmyBeat 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
MrJimmyBeat 2 weeks ago
exactly what Im going through,on testogel 50mg.I get extremely tired and anxious in the evenings,and the estrogen seems really angry and bitter at me for trying to defeat it all day,so its full on dysphoria and I can literally feel the battle wars,pretty exhausting.Thanks for adressing this,now I know Im not crazy.Its very calming and takes a lot of anxiety away just to know the facts of the hormone war.Great video,and thanks again for the realistic view on low dose T.
MrJimmyBeat 1 month ago
HI, I'm Alex FTM' just out 11 days now and I just wanted to know what kind of an affect T will have on someone like me. I'm 48 year young, healthy, not as active as I should be but still get some exercise and I've already had a complete hysterectomy. I know you're not a doctor but if you could just give me a general idea. Thanks so much. *Peace*
AJ
AJSSTUFF3 2 months ago
Thanks for this video and evoking some thought provoking questions on low dose. I have just recently changed my injection cycle from weekly to every second week. I have kept the same dose and now it enters into the 'low dose' range. I am keeping an eye on any 'menopausal' symptoms that might appear. I have had a one or two moments when I feel the level is dropping in my system. I will be going for blood tests in the new year (2012). Thanks again for giving points of view on this topic.
GunsNRosesTrans 2 months ago in playlist More videos from BillyBarnacle
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WOULD U SUPPORT a FTM-Transguy, or any LGBT community people who struggle alone with no family... see more at indiegogo. com/MY-LiFE
Just delete the space before com....
loverbaybe1 6 months ago
@BillyBarnacle thanks, i'm super keen to see/hear/read whatever you come up with.
middlegrounded 8 months ago
hey billy, interesting video. i guess it still leaves me with some questions though - hormone levels on a low dose can cause anxiety but besides that are there detrimental physical side effects to being on a low dose? you said that inducing puberty in your body repeatedly seems like a bad idea, but is there any evidence of that? because by that logic shouldn't taking t at all seem like a bad idea? my doctor says that a low dose is fine so i'm curious to get other opinions. thanks.
middlegrounded 8 months ago
@middlegrounded Hey mate, good questions for sure. I like a guy who asks good probing questions! Def wise not to take everything you see/hear/read for granted. To be honest this vid was the accumulation of lots of different bits and pieces I have read. But that said because the question has been asked I am going to try and track back through my research and find the references that led me to these conclusions. I appreciate when it comes to stuff like health you need references!
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
@middlegrounded I'll try and get back to you in the next couple of days with a comprehensive response. Probably better if I make a response video or write you a msg with the info as I know my response is gonna take longer than 400 characters!!
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
I have been taking.3ccs of T. before this it was.25cc and my doctor told me this was half dose. I don't wan t to be on a low dose of testosterone but my period stopped right away and she expressed that since my period stopped im probably where i need to be. Is this considered low dose?
brotherwarriorxx 8 months ago
@brotherwarriorxx Hey mate, I'm guessing the 'cc's' you're reffering to is a synonym for mls? Most doctors will refer to T in milliliters. Frankly your doctor doesn't know what she's talking about. The healthy dose of T for most guys pre hysto should be 250mls of T fortnightly.The key thing here is that your doctor should be testing your blood at different points in your shot cycle (trough- the day or so just before your next shot is due and peak- the day or two just after you take your shot)
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
@brotherwarriorxx It sounds from what you have said that you haven't had your bloodwork done at all, which is concerning. Your period stopping is NOT a measurement of how much T you should be on. Yes it can indicate that your levels are above normal female levels and are causing your ovaries to shut down, which is a good sign, but in no way should she use this to indicate how much T should be prescribed. 250mg fornightly should get you in a normal hormonal range.
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
@brotherwarriorxx 3cc's is from what i can gather 3mls and it is a totally nominal amount of T, meaning that it would have little to no effect on your body. In fact I am suprised it has stopped your period. As I discuss in this video it is very important for you to have steady levels of one or the other hormone in your body. If you can I would find a new doctor or endocrinologist who know's what they are on about and get them to run blood tests on your T levels.
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
@brotherwarriorxx They should be measuring your free testosterone levels against the normal MALE range, not the normal female range. If you are feeling any of the things I mention in this video (night sweats, anxiety, moodiness, cramping) it could very well be because your ovaries have shut down, so your estrogen levels are dropping and your T levels are not high enough to take control, leaving your body without a dominant hormone and similar to menopause.
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
@brotherwarriorxx Don't be too alarmed though, you can easily get a script for the proper amount of injectable T (250mg fortnightly) of either Testosterone Enanthate (Primoteston) or Testosterone Cypionate (Sustanon). After 6-12mths on T you can consider going on 1000mg of Testosterone Undecanoate (Reandron or Nobido) which is 3 monthly and gives more steady levels or Testsoterone Pellets which are 5-6 monthly and are the most bioidentical hormones available. Your choice mate, exercise it!!
BillyBarnacle 8 months ago
are you underwater? your videos are articulate and informative, I appreciate it!
ceridawn 9 months ago
@ceridawn Thanks and yes, apologies for the crappy audio my old laptop has shit mikes.
BillyBarnacle 9 months ago
sounds like your pet lions hungry also why are you looking away so much?? strangeness lol...
sebastian73046 9 months ago
Just wanted to say that I experienced the same feelings of doubt while I was on the gel. Whenever I woke up during the night, I would be plagued by these thoughts of transitioning being the wrong thing.Until I just saw your video I didnt realize it was because of the low dose!just wonder what the explanation for those specific kinds of thoughts is.Not really a big believer in biological reasons for gender identity related hypotheses,so am really at a loss.V glad I found your video, mate! Thanks!
TNiuzai 11 months ago
Low doses are not healthy. Nor to stop and then start again etc. I have certainly stopped .. and will wait until I get the follow-up of a professional, not to mention the correct dose. Looking forward to it!
MichaelAdventure6 1 year ago
And as you talked about during the day (after applying the cream), everything went well. But when evening came, all the anxiety came back, and I got to thinking about what I did was right .. and yeah .. all the things you talk about in your video. So I recommend everyone to wait to start on testosterone, and go according to plan.
MichaelAdventure6 1 year ago
After the cream was empty, I went about 3 weeks without before I started a new round. And in the new round, I got extreme anxiety. Anxiety in relation to my body, I was dizzy, my heart pounded in a different way, and generally thought I would die.
MichaelAdventure6 1 year ago
I know exactly what you're talking about. I've been through a lot of what you are talking about. Officially I do not start with testosterone until August, but I bought testosterone from the internet, and started on low doses, increasing it gradually. Noticed small changes such as more hair, more aggressive, withdrawn, irritable, warmer in the body and much bigger sex drive.
MichaelAdventure6 1 year ago
I totally went through the exact same thing with the doubts about t when i first started the low dose.
B00mBoomboy 1 year ago
I'm glad that you addressed this subject, and so tactfully as well. I'm never sure what to say to persons I meet who ask me about the effects of low-dose gels. They're looking for explicit masculine traits to pick and choose, I'm just on low-dose to keep my liver from exploding.( I'm still trying to find some way to safely get on higher doses.)
TheBritYank 1 year ago
plz give me ur contact number or email address i need to meet u regarding ftm top surgery in sydney with DR megana hassall. my email is muskangill23@yahoo.com.au
TheMuskanrani 1 year ago
I'm on 250mg every 3 weeks. I sometimes start to feel down by the time my shot is due...but my levels are high (according to blood tests). I suppose it's better to stay on this rather than increase it..:/
punkaliciouzz121 1 year ago
good video man
ThatPunkBrent 1 year ago
My Dr has started me off on S100 to let my body get used to the effects and see how I go.
I think the low dose is a great idea.
Awesome video =]
CaptainBexx 1 year ago
@CaptainBexx hey mate, yes that was one of the other 'legitimate' reasons for the low dose that i kinda forgot to mention. thanks for bringing it into the discussion. It is very common (at least in oz) for dr's to start u on a lower dose of injectable testosterone before going on the full dose. My endo did that too. It makes sense to me, but it's def not a long term situation. Check out Teddy's comments (below) re: his experience on Sustanon 100.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
@CaptainBexx p.s CONGRATS on starting T!!!
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
I have been going on the gelé for over 11 months, first not even full gelé dose, like a third of the normal gelé dose.
But a bio-mans testo levels should be 10-30, I was 53, on a third dose of testo-gelé.
Low doses are really good to make your body adapt to the changes of t, atlest for me. But i'm not 100% bio-female, so I dont know.
Thebutterflyboy 1 year ago
@Thebutterflyboy hey mate thanks for sharing ur experience! I think if u are intersex or are able to naturally produce more testosterone then u would only need a small dosage of testosterone to get you in the male range, so what you've said makes sense. I know an intersex guy who just uses testogel and that puts him in normal male range. I'm not knocking the use of low dose, just suggesting that whatever dose u need 4 ur body it should b with the aim of getting in a male hormonal range.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
As the T was losing it's battle with Estrogen I felt like I had PMT x 100 and it was just plain horrible!
Since beginning the higher dose 250 Sustanon, I have felt much calmer, together and confident in my process. I feel like my transition is now beginning in earnest and would add my voice in echo of your concerns around anyone being on a low dose for any longer then 6 weeks (if at all).
Just my opinion based on my experience of course :)
ateddyont 1 year ago
I totally agree with your points Billy! Also totally relate to your experiences on the low dose. I could only handle three shots of the low dose 100 Sustanon because I started to manifest feelings and behaviours that were not only unbalancing but unsustainable! Towards the end of my T cycle I felt like I was 'hanging out' for more T, I was unable to appropriately process my emotions so was getting reactive and a bit ragey, was emotional in general and felt a complete exhaustion!
ateddyont 1 year ago
@ateddyont thanks so much for adding to the convo Teddy boy! It's great to hear a breadth of experience on low dose.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
I've had the exact same experience. Do you have any resources that suggest physical risks to being on a low dose? I'm searching for stuff currently myself, so this video was quite timely for me.
MrChicael 1 year ago
Personally I feel low dose T isn't a great route as well. When I dropped my T dose my E levels dropped below normal male range to below menopausal which is not good for your bones.
shanesdomain 1 year ago
really so your estrogen levels dropped below normal male range when u dropped your t dose? I thought estrogen would rise if you dropped your T dose... But yes low estrogen mimics menopause and without enough T to suppliment the low estrogen you get those horrible menopausal symptoms. Thanks for your comments buddy.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
I also want to touch up on another subject you talked about cuz you got me intrigued haha becuz everyones body is different. Our bodies are not somthing to play with. SO its a risk T is not a game not to scare but guys gotta understand its a Lifestyle a Life choice. Its gotta be somthing you already have the strength has got to be there. follow thru. To tell you the truth billy i had no idea guys actually did this its hurts my heart to hear it happens.
duuuop 1 year ago
@duuuop yeah man I fear that there are an increasing number of guys out there who 'dabble' in testosterone and transition before they have properly prepared themselves for what the changes will mean. You are so right when u say it is a 'life choice'. I don't think it's a good idea 4 people to think that they can transition and then transition back if they don't 'like it'. Because the experience of transition will change u in some fundamental ways. That's why I think it's so important to educate
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
and build awareness around the implications 4 transition through youtube, in our communities etc, so that other guys don't just see it as some 'cool' new trend or some other way of being 'extreme' and 'radical'. That they understand that the way they relate to the world will alter as the society begins to view them as male. It concerns me too, I just wanna have compassion and provide support to guys questioning their gender, and help them to come to a descion that is right 4 them.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
@BillyBarnacle in my experience from watching youtube videos for the last 3 or so years there is a massive influx in number of younger guys and altho this is good to be a "community/support network" ive also for that begining transition in some way has become 'glamorised' i think we need people to come together and really education these younger guys on how transition can/will drastically change your life, not just for the better but also what you 'werenot expecting'
ljuze 1 year ago
@ljuze mate it is so great to hear u say all this! really heartwarming to know their are guys in other states who care about the welfare and mental state of younger guys considering or starting transition. Actually I'm part of a group in Sydney that is looking at developing some resources 4 transguys in NSW and maybe other states down the track. It would be great to keep in touch with u so that we can maybe get some of those resources out to guys in QLD down the track...
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
I thought i commented?? Yea I love this video! :D your covering a lot and making a lot of sense. I can totally relate to the low and highs on T i started on a high dose and developed hives weather or not it was the T or estrogen fighting back haha it was bad. The feelings i got self doubt and anxiety were the effects plus changes. Now im on a low dose and i personally feel the changes are the same not more or less than other guys but happiness n stability now. truly the struggles are within us.
duuuop 1 year ago
@duuuop thanks mate. I actually remember now that you got hives from your first dose. Can u get hives from stress and anxiety? Because I haven't heard of it being a side effect of T...I know that early transition is a very anxiety producing time.Do you know if your body naturally produces more testosterone and so when you went on a higher dose maybe it pushed you into a too high level and that's why you got hives? But hey if you feel good on it and your levels are good then it's all good right!?
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
awsome video, i also think you did extreamly well to identify some of the "concerns" that particular video/s brought up.... you also mentioned an EXTREAMLY important thing, that being people feel some sort of 'urgency' to start, without thinking about the side effects not just physical but also emotionally, socially ect... ive come across this alot within some of the community i am actively involved here in qld.. but i have come to realise that drs are taking the 'correct'
ljuze 1 year ago
@ljuze steps in the process, which i have seen you guys get very upset with.... im also very open with them about some of the changes that dont get discussed like here on youtube... thank you for this video, i think it is very appropriatly done, id like to see you do more videos about this sort of thing... thnx man :)
ljuze 1 year ago
@ljuze hey man thanks for your comments! I'm not at all suprised to hear that there are guys in QLD who think that doctors/psychs making them go to a certain number of sessions before starting T is a bad thing, I have heard a similar line from guys in Sydney. I think it's really important 4 guys 2 b aware of some of the social implications of transition, the realities of the experience that can be confronting if you're not properly prepared for them. I personally think that guys need to have a
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
as many psych sessions as they need (and maybe even a minimum number imposed like 6 or something..?) to ensure that they have properly thought out the implications of their choice. I would hate transition to become some 'fad', as some way of being like the ultimate queer or something. I think each step towards transition is huge and people don't always realise it. Good to hear that you're informing guys up there and keeping it real!!
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
@BillyBarnacle yer i agree with you, am i finding that time they have between appts is quite sufficiant which is good... i also agree about the amount of sessions.. i dont have anything to do with the "queer" community but i dont think (personal oppionion) its becoming a 'fad' i guess that may be because a few guys i know ID as 'straight' men there for feel uncomfortable/no need to associate with the LGB... in brisbane as well there is a seperate social gatherings for 'LGB' youth
ljuze 1 year ago
@ljuze that's interesting...because I think in Sydney in the 'queer' community, (not the 'LGB' community), there is a growing awareness of transitioning as an option and it is becoming a bit 'cool'. There is of course some crossover between the LGB and queer world here, but on the whole I think most Lesbians at 'Lesbian' centric events here are unaware that trans guys really exist. I actually ID as a straight guy, but I think within the queer community there is room for being 'straight' too.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
(i find most people 'explore' diffferent things and make life altering decisions without thinking about the concequences) and Trans/intersex youth there is also a specific 'gathering' for the 'older' trans/gender queer/varient people once a month...
all in all i think people being honest about the 'realities' of transition is wat is going to prevent it from becoming a 'fad'
ljuze 1 year ago
@ljuze and yes lets hope that education will prevent the 'fad' phenommenon. Bodies are precious and shouldn't be messed with until you reach a certainty in your self, I think many people are rushing to go on T and they really need to take a breather. I considered it on and off for 4yrs before deciding!!!
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
This video is really interesting to me!! Thanks for sharing. I identify with a lot of what you say. I've been on Testogel for 11 months and am just about to switch to Nebido (3 monthly) injections. whilst my changes are happening they are slow and I am still getting monthly cramps (no periods tho!). I only just gave thought to the fact that my dose is relatively low compared to other transmen. It's a good point!! You look and sound great btw =)
dylanwikifoo 1 year ago
@dylanwikifoo hey man glad u found it helpful. Did your endo put you on testogel? Can I ask why you have been on it for a year? I'm interested to hear the reasons why people go on low doses. Good luck with the Nebido, I hear some people like it and others don't, I think mainly because most people go on fortnightly or three weekly injections before nebido/reandron and they get used to the cyclical nature of that, wheras Nebido is longer acting and harder to feel the 'dips in hormone levels'.
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
also (and I hope I don't rock the boat here) has anyone suggested to you (like your endo) that nebido works best once you have been on fortinightly injections for a while and your body has adapted to the new hormonal landscape and has been in a normal male range for (usually) around 6 mths? It has been my impression that Nebido is more of a 'maintance' dose for people already in male range. But you would know best if your hormone levels are in male range now If so then I guess no harm
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago
great vid
devontree78 1 year ago
@devontree78 thanks man!
BillyBarnacle 1 year ago