Does Anyone Take Other Meds With T?

[Guest Colin]

No, I haven't been to the Dr. yet, but am coming to terms that I am going to finally schedule an appt to see one. I doubt i'd do surgery, although I won't say no to it for sure. Anyway, i'm being treated for a couple of things with meds, quite successfully, after years of trial and error. I've found the right dosages and types in combination that enable me to function at 100% and that means a lot, after years of struggle. I am seriously considering testosterone eventually and wonder if it can be administered along with other (psych) meds. Does anyone have input or experience that can relate to this at all?

[Petra Jane]

Hi Colin,

Must stress that any medicine should only be prescribed by a medical professional who knows you and your medical history.

It would be wrong, and probably dangerous for anyone else to try to do so. Please, please do see your doctor ASAP and make sure you are safe.

[Guest Colin]

I apologize if my question was interpreted as seeking medical advice, which I am not. I was simply asking if anyone has had experience taking T with other meds. I did not mean to infer that I would summarily take the responses literally and seek any specific course of treatment simply because it worked for someone else.

Hi Colin,

Must stress that any medicine should only be prescribed by a medical professional who knows you and your medical history.

It would be wrong, and probably dangerous for anyone else to try to do so. Please, please do see your doctor ASAP and make sure you are safe.

[Guest Huff]

I am seriously considering testosterone eventually and wonder if it can be administered along with other (psych) meds. Does anyone have input or experience that can relate to this at all?

According to what I heard from the docs at last Fall's GenderOdyssey conference in Seattle (held every Labor Day weekend for FTMs and DEFINATELY worth going to)... it is possible to take T with other medications. T is a hormone, so it would be like taking birth control pills (another type of hormone) and psych meds. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to work pretty carefully with your docs to manage your dosing as your metabolism changes, making sure the various elements of the chemical soup you're taking are not interacting with each other, and keeping an eye on your liver as all medications are metabolised by the liver and therefore put stress on it. oh the joys of pharmacology...

Also, depending on what the reasons for the psych meds are, your docs might want you to do extra counseling/therapy before they will perscribe for you to make sure that your decision is not a result of psychopathology and/or you can handle the stress of transition, so don't be shocked if that happens.

Hope that's helpful.

MK

[Guest Colin]

According to what I heard from the docs at last Fall's GenderOdyssey conference in Seattle (held every Labor Day weekend for FTMs and DEFINATELY worth going to)... it is possible to take T with other medications. T is a hormone, so it would be like taking birth control pills (another type of hormone) and psych meds. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to work pretty carefully with your docs to manage your dosing as your metabolism changes, making sure the various elements of the chemical soup you're taking are not interacting with each other, and keeping an eye on your liver as all medications are metabolised by the liver and therefore put stress on it. oh the joys of pharmacology...

Also, depending on what the reasons for the psych meds are, your docs might want you to do extra counseling/therapy before they will perscribe for you to make sure that your decision is not a result of psychopathology and/or you can handle the stress of transition, so don't be shocked if that happens.

Hope that's helpful.

MK

It definitely is, thank you for taking the time to provide your point of view. I too, believe that I may have a bit more difficulty making my case as it were, given that I am on an antidepressant and also a med for severe ADHD (not shocking that I have that, since its more common in males). I know who and what I am however, and my life has supported that fact. Again, I appreciate your insight!

[Guest JAB]

Hi Colin, I wanted to tell you that I have been on mulitple medical medications (between 12-14 daily meds) since day one on T which was nearly 7 years ago.. in 06 I had some psych meds added to the mix.. Trazadone for sleep which is technically an antidepressant, seroequel-antipsychotic, and then switched from seroquel to geodon another anti-psychotic.

My Testosterone treatment is not consistant becaue there are periods when my body is medically stressed and unable to process and eliminate toxins quick anough. I also have some adrenal complication that have occured and 2 Doctors relate the problem to T.. My situation is most likely a lot different then yours so its not likely you will have the on again off again dosing shcedule... I was told pretty much the same thing Huff described... The key is being monitored.. whether youre on other medicatons or not... that way if something pops up it can be identified and fixed quickly.

best of luck.

[Guest BillyMack]

I take meds for Bi Polar disorder and my psych and my doc work together to make sure my labs come out ok. It means getting more blood work, but that is fine with me. I have only been on T for two weeks so who knows what will happen, but at least I know it's being monitored. Don't want any nasty complications coming up!