Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

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


BerndB

Recommended Posts

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.

Link to comment
  • Admin

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. 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

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 

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment
  • Admin

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
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 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   0 Members, 0 Anonymous, 125 Guests (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      766.5k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,912
    • Most Online
      8,356

    DeniseKell
    Newest Member
    DeniseKell
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Beth Susan
      Beth Susan
      (53 years old)
    2. Bree138
      Bree138
      (44 years old)
    3. Catamondium
      Catamondium
    4. cody
      cody
      (17 years old)
    5. kass
      kass
  • Posts

    • Carolyn Marie
      https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/03/273fdffe00c0-japan-society-on-transgender-issues-to-drop-disorder-from-name.html     Carolyn Marie
    • Carolyn Marie
      https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/18/science-knowledge-gap-trans-healthcare     I like the reference to "trans broken arm syndrome."  I've experienced it myself.  The more research, the better, certainly.  The problem as I see it, especially concerning reports in the popular press, is that preliminary results are often used to "prove" someones POV, or are misunderstood or used in a political way.  That is never helpful, and it isn't confined to reporting on trans health care issues.  For example, how many times have we read or heard about studies that "prove" coffee is bad, or chocolate is bad, or eggs are bad, etc., only to read weeks or months later that the opposite is true?  In the case of trans health care, it all gets politicized, too.   Carolyn Marie
    • Cisco1127
      I just finished the intake forms for an online informed consent clinic through Plume and im both nervous and excited to meet with my provider next week via video chat. I'm worried I will be turned down and cannot get a prescription for a variety of reasons. I was asked so many invasive questions during intake, which I knew would happen. I worried about what I should leave out, how honest I should be, what could be something that would deny me a prescription. I've been fighting with myself for a long time and now that I have opened myself up to hoping for change, I am so scared of having the carrot dangled in my face only to be ripped away.    And a part of me is scared of starting testosterone. I'm even more scared of inaction. Of not at least trying it and seeing how I feel about the changes. If I don't try it, I will never know, and I will be stuck in the loop of questioning whether or not it is right for me until I am filled with regrets for chances not taken rather than opportunities I've pursued.     Has anyone here ever felt fear and apprehension about staring HRT? How did you get over that fear? How do I know in my heart if this is right for me when I am always running through all of the endless possibilities of good and bad results?     
    • Carolyn Marie
      In keeping with @VickySGV's train of thought, here are links to a couple of Canadian legal resources.  I hope these can help you, as you do seem to need it.   https://justicetrans.org/en/resources/   https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/how-we-can-help/our-library-services/lawmatters-public-libraries/lgbt-legal-resource-round   https://www.halco.org/our-services/trans-legal-needs-assessment-ontario   BTW, welcome to Transgender Pulse, hon.  You are safe here.   Carolyn Marie
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      An option?  Sure.  When you come right down to it, everything except food/water/shelter is optional.  Life can be very basic....brutally basic.  Life can even be so bad that one's gender issues or sexuality are the farthest thought from your mind, at least for a while.  You can "play pretend" successfully for years or a lifetime, with nobody suspecting that your true self is different from the gender you were assigned at birth.  All kinds of choices, and its up to each person to decide which choices are more comfortable and less destructive to self and others.     From what I have learned, transition is a spectrum.  There's no one single way to do it, and your way may look very different from how a friend does it.  Some people go to great lengths with surgery.  Others are like me an my friends, non-op by choice or other circumstances.  You can do a whole bunch of stuff in a short time, or the process can take years.  I don't see it as a black-or-white kind of choice, but a progression towards authenticity and comfort.
    • Sally Stone
      I buy online occasionally, but I'd much rather try something on in the store to know if it fits or how it looks.  I'm not sure this is actually "shopping across the aisle" since I often shop for women's clothes dressed as a woman (but not always).  That said, I have had great success finding amazing deals on the discount racks at department stores.  I never buy anything at retail in fact, I usually only purchase when an item is seriously discounted.  Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Dillards clothes are extremely pricey, but you can find some amazing deals on the sales racks.  In Macy's last year, I bought a $300 dollar gown for $45 and just last week I found a really pretty and very feminine sweater on the Macy's rack for $16.99.  The original tag price was $89.00.  My experience is that department stores tend to sell higher quality clothing, which means you can find some great stuff when you shop their sales racks.   I have found some great things at Goodwill myself.  And in the interest of full-disclosure, I have given a lot new or nearly new women's items to Goodwill as well.
    • EasyE
      Discovered this recently as well... you have to be more of a hunter because it isn't always obvious what the sizes are... at least the store near me organizes fairly well by color and such ... found a nice pair of khakis and a nice white skort, though also found a few shirts that when I got home, yikes, way too tight... 
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Wow.  To borrow things and break them... that's what we call a "USDA A-Grade Crap Filet."  Most mechanics hate it when others borrow their tools...or even touch them.  And that's with permission.  Without permission?  My GF would probably put somebody in the hospital for that.    And definitely, if they gotta borrow something multiple times...better be buying their own when that paycheck shows up.  At least get the Harbor Freight version.  Most of their stuff ain't that bad. 
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      You might not think of it, but Goodwill has a TON of stuff.  I guess a lot of women buy clothes, hardly wear them, and then give them away when they get bored.  I've seen name brand stuff there for $3 or so.  You can always take a look...looking is free.  One of my friends is good with a sewing machine, and she gets stuff that's a bit bigger, then adjusts the fit.  Easier to subtract fabric than add 😄   I shop across the aisle, but for boy things.  And believe it or not, its actually more difficult if you're looking for something super cheap.  Thrift stores...most of the stuff for boys is worn out.  And being small, its super tough to find things in my size.  Even shorts, jeans, and t-shirts... good luck finding them in size "tiny fox."  Everything is made for Big and Tall.  6ft plus, built like a brick outhouse....Manly!  My husband complains since he's not 6ft tall, and if he has a tough time finding clothes that fit, its practically impossible for me. 
    • Mmindy
      When I worked as a mechanic in a truck shop. The standard saying was: If you have to borrow a tool more than three times, you need to buy one of your own.    Blue collar hands,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Finally found out boss did fire a co worker I hated.A mechanic and I was one of 3 mechanics fixing his screw ups.Plus he would go into other other mechanic's toolboxes taking off with tools without asking.One was mine,one was a diesel compression tester kit of mine and broke the gauge part which I will have my Snap On dealer order me a new gauge tommorrow when he comes in
    • VickySGV
      Find and get in touch with the closest LGBTQ center near you and (1) they will know of programs that employ Trans people willingly and (2) will have ways to get you competent legal help to break you free of your family and their controlling and damaging behavior toward you.  I do not know Canadian Law on this, but here where I am you could get a court order to stop them from interfering in your life.  Gender Dysphoria is not a mental health issue that should keep you from managing your personal affairs.  The people at those centers know what we go through and are ready to help you.
    • Ashley0616
      You look great in all of them!
    • Mirrabooka
      I'll try!     I still have no desire at all to start wearing skirts and dresses, and I don't have the curves to justify wearing women's jeans or slacks. I think the furthest I will go is maybe some pretty and androgynous tops one day. That's what appealed to me with the hoodie - it just looked so much nicer than any of those on offer from the men's department.
    • shelli
      Hello.   My name is not Shelli but for my safety i have to use this name here.   Im looking for advice.   In canada conversion therapy is illegal. My family has employed a psiciatrist to comversion therapy me covertly. I am 45 and the administrator of a wealthy families estate.   I have been fleeing this for about 7 years. It began by me having mtf grs. I was supposed to have ffs and top and vocal aswell. They allowed the bottom surgery. Then began getting social workers, the psyc and an accountant to slander me from town to town as i tried to get work and stablity in my life. I eventually went back to male atire to try and hide and restart transition. Each time they wojld find out where i was and it would start again.   I spoke out about it and now they claim i destroyed there lives by seeking help and that im an adult child since i cant get a job while they do this so that i cant as i would take control of the families fortune. They have had this psyciatrist diagnose me falsly with scizophrenia, upsetting me then bipolat, borderline, psicotic, and so much more. They have even tried getting me framed for crimes i never commited.   Im terrified, living in the woods, off hormones and even when i turn to the lgbt community in my area they have convinced many of them that im a trans man etc etc etc.   It never ends.   I would like to hear any advice.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...