problems with testogel, differences between 3 weekly and 3 monthly injections?

[BerndB]

Hi, I'm new here. I had been on and off testogel for the last 2 years due to having supply problems and very unhelpful GPs. When I am on testogel, my testosterone levels are way to high, in the 50s, often my estrogen levels as well. I kept on trying various dosages, but either they are too high or, when low enough, like in the lower 20s, then I seem to go pretestosterone. Like my voice, which hasn't settled yet, is going up, my hair changes again, I gain a typically female proportioned body, loose my physical strength to pretestosterone levels and become severely depressed. Also, I have not experienced any change with my clitoris. When I talk to my doctor, he doesn't believe that I go pretestosterone and thinks that I am like a testosterone junkie, also thinks, that it is just pot luck, whether anything happens at all with your clitoris. But he offered, that maybe I should go on 3 weekly or 3 monthly injections. Apart from the fact, that the 3 monthly injections seem to be much more painful, he did not explain the differences between the 2 types of injections. The whole thing is slightly getting me down, also now twice being compared to a testosterone junkie makes me start doubting myself. I really don't know how to deal with this guy.

Anyway, would be great if anybody knows a bit more about those different types of injections.

[VickySGV]

Welcome to the Forums, I hope we can give you some direction here.

 

How are you getting your levels checked if the doctor is not ordering the tests and evaluating them as they are done?  If the doctor is evaluating the results and sees no problem, then there is not much to be done.  Trying the "various dosages" (which we cannot discuss on these forums) without the doctor's approving the change or monitoring it over a long period of time is very hazardous and will create some strange effects that are not going to be fun.  The fact that you have an unreliable source of the drug may indicate that another more certainly supplied medication is what is needed here so you do not get peaks and valleys.  You are looking at 3 to six years for full physical maturity of the HRT effects comes on and in that period things go fast and slow just as is.  By all means get a second doctor to review and consult with your doctor but do not become that consulting doctor by wishing. 

[Jani]

Hi BerndB.  I think your doctor may have been a bit harsh there with that admonishment.   It seems obvious to me your levels are not consistent with you're dosages but I am not a doctor.  I assume being in the UK you are under care of the NHS.  Is there a better way to ensure a steady supply?  Is it a local issue or country wide problem?   I don't know anything about T methods of delivery so you should discuss this with your doctor or another medical professional.

 

Jani 

[BerndB]

Hi, looks like I've got a bit more explaining to do. In Scotland you see a specific clinic for transgender problems, but your local GP has to then write out the prescription orders, once the clinic got in contact with them. I had problems with the local GP and also there was a problem with the general supply of the prescription on and of for about  a year. The supply is now steady and I found eventually a surgery, which is prepared to write out the prescription, but still see the consultant from the transgender clinic. He did prescribe the various dosages. This is not something I have decided to do on my own. Sorry, if I came across wrongly there.

[VickySGV]

Thank you for the additional info there, it does help to know what is going on.  My Endocrinologist explained one thing to me that may help a tiny bit.  It is not the levels in your blood that determine effectiveness.  Our bodies have receptor cells for the hormones that they need to pass through in order to work.  In my case, I did have constantly low doses and still they did a satisfactory, but not phenomenal job of bringing me to where I most likely  would have been if they had started at age 11 instead of age 60.  It did take me nearly 4 years to max out in most ways and longer in a couple of others.

[BerndB]

Thank you, I just think, that it does get to me, to have been going forward and backward the last two years. And then having a consultant, which is not very sensitive and not very forthcoming with information. Anyway, it is good to speak about it and getting it off my chest.

[Jani]

11 hours ago, VickySGV said:

My Endocrinologist explained one thing to me that may help a tiny bit.  It is not the levels in your blood that determine effectiveness.  Our bodies have receptor cells for the hormones that they need to pass through in order to work.

Mine said this also.  We are all different and our bodies react as they will.  That you for the clarification about how care works in the UK.  I'm glad you were able to talk about this and hopefully you feel a bit better.

 

Jani