TRT method:
AndroGel 1.62% – 2 pump actuations daily (40.5 mg)
Blood test results, taken on December 19, 2014:
Hormonal profile:
Testosterone (T), Total: 1145 ng/dL (higher end of normal; excellent!)
Blood profile:
Hematocrit: 40.7 (fair)
Hemoglobin: 13.0 (low end of normal)
Blood sugar profile:
Glucose: 122 (normal for someone who’s not fasting at the time of a blood draw)
Kidney profile:
BUN: 11 (just about right)
Creatinine: 0.60 (a bit below normal)
eGFR: 141 (normal)
Metabolic profile – minerals, kidney, liver:
Sodium: 138 (normal)
Potassium: 3.8 (normal)
Chloride: 102 (normal)
CO2: 27 (higher end of normal)
Calcium: 9.3 (normal)
Protein, total: 7.7 (normal)
Albumin: 4.8 (normal)
Globulin: 2.9 (normal)
A/G Ratio: 1.7 (normal)
Bilirubin, total: 0.4 (normal)
Bilirubin, direct: 0.1 (lower end of normal)
Alk Phosph, S: 68 (normal)
AST: 32 (normal)
ALT: 60 (a bit above normal)
I’ve been on T for 4 months now and quite a bit has happened. I went to see my Endocrinologist on the 13th, and found out that my T levels have gone up a bit from the last time I had my blood drawn (which was in September). My T levels went up from 1043 to 1145. Additionally, my liver enzymes are 5 points above normal (they went up from the last time). The good news is that they’re not so high as to be concerned about my liver, but I do hope it doesn’t get really, really high and that they start to come down in the next few to several months (this is probably just my body adjusting to the TRT). If does get to the point where they get out of control, then I will probably need to lower my dose a bit (my biggest fear is going off TRT).
My endo thought that my dosage was probably a little too strong and at one point was actually thinking about lowering the dose a bit. But I told him that I felt great, I felt fine, and that I didn’t want to lower the dose, so he didn’t. However, we will need to keep a close eye on my liver enzymes. I have my next appointment with him in mid-April and my next blood draw in either late March or the first week of April and so we’ll see what happens then.
Now, on to the other changes:
Sexual Function
Some changes have happened in the downstairs area since my last update. I can actually see my whole glans now. The foreskin on my penis can fully retract now, whereas before it only used to retract up to the mid-point of the glans. I never thought I would see this happen. I always thought that not having a cis male-looking glans – and a small glans – was something I was always going to have just because I was intersex. But 4 months on T and I now have a glans that looks just like a cis male’s. Furthermore, my sexual performance has really improved, my confidence has gone up, and my sex drive is more frequent and is very consistent. I really like what’s happening in this department. One more thing: It seems like I have gotten some minor testicular shrinkage (I noticed it earlier in the month). Shrinkage is normal for men on TRT and is only minor – it just means that your body has stopped producing LH (which is what makes the testes grow – at least most of the time).
Voice
My voice has deepened since my 1.5 month update – it really sounds significantly different from before I start T. I’m really starting to love my voice and my social confidence is increasing due to it. I’m becoming less self-conscious about it but I still have some way to go.
Facial/body hair
My facial and body hair is becoming thicker and darker, slowly over time. I’m starting to see thicker hairs on my face. I can’t wait until I’m able to grow a full beard!
Physical Profile
My weight has gone up from 97 ibs to 100 ibs! This is the first time in my life that I’ve cracked 100, I’ve never been able to do that no matter how hard I tried. My biceps and triceps seem to have grown more recently. I can see my six pack a little better now – and without putting very much effort. I either seemed to have shedded a little more fat or my abdominal muscles grew a little (it could go either way). All I know is that they need to grow some more to make them look like they really pop out. Also, I have seen a significant increase in strength since my last update (which I’m very happy about!). From the looks of it, I can go back to working out full time, but I think I’m going to wait an additional 2-3 months before I do so. I’m very happy to see that I’m finally going to be able to get the body I’ve always wanted.
Energy/mood
My energy and mood have really improved. I feel really motivated to do stuff now.
Cognition
I have seen great improvements in my cognition since my 1.5 month update. My word aphaxia has greatly improved. Doing intellectually-demanding stuff is much easier now. I no longer have to struggle with that type of work – I have more patience doing it now. Making music, designs, and other things are much funner now than before T. Learning new things is much easier now – I’m now better able to grasp material that I learn. And lastly, my social confidence keeps going up. Things are going great in this area.
Other
I have seen a modest increase in acne. I get it on my face, neck, back, chest, and upper arms – but mostly on my face.
I really love what’s happening with my body. I’m very excited to see what’s going to be happening 2 months from now (on my 6th month).
I guess that’s all for now. I’ll provide my next update probably in April (after I go see my Endocrinologist). I’m still working on my video blog version of my TRT updates. Not sure when I’ll get it completed (things are a bit hectic around here) but I’ll let you all know when I make it.
See you all next time!
Elipalooza 