Type 1 Testosterone

[Kayden-joe]

Hi I’m just curious I’m FTM but I’m also diabetic I need a bit more advice on when I start testosterone the effects and what happens when I start testosterone?

Mod edit to note that this post has been moved/merged to this thread because it is very similar to the question below (originally the first post of this thread)

 

[Kayden-joe]

I’m ftm and I have diabeties can I take testosterone while being diabetic and what’s the pros and cons

 

[Antje77]

I’m ftm and I have diabeties can I take testosterone while being diabetic and what’s the pros and cons

Yes, you can.
Provided you're being monitored by health care professionals, using prescription hormones taylored to your needs.

Pros: Feel better, so possibly better care of your diabetes as well. Mental health issues can be a cause of not taking care of your diabetes as well as you would if you felt better.
Cons: Possibly a higher risk of cardiovascular complications in the future.

Both insulin and testosterone are hormones, the specialist dealing with hormones is an endocrinologist.
Do you see an endo for your diabetes? If so, they may know quite a lot on ftm hormones as well.
I'd contact your diabetes team with your questions, they'll likely know more about it than you think!

Are you already under treatment for your gender dysphoria or are you still on the waiting list?

 

[Kayden-joe]

Thank you so much for the information

 

[Antje77]

Thank you so much for the information

Good luck with your journey!

 

[Kayden-joe]

Thank you could I go private for my testosterone do you think or would I have to go the proper way round it with my doctors

 

[Antje77]

Thank you could I go private for my testosterone do you think or would I have to go the proper way round it with my doctors

Are you in the UK?

 

[Kayden-joe]

Yea I’m in the uk

 

[Antje77]

Thank you could I go private for my testosterone do you think or would I have to go the proper way round it with my doctors

You can't simply say to a doctor you want testosterone and please prescribe it, no matter if you go private or not.

You first need a proper diagnosis, and getting one involves multiple consults over a longer time to assess your gender dysphoria.
Once you have a diagnosis, the decision to start treatment is made with your doctors.
With every step in your treatment, you'll discuss what's needed for you.

This can be hormones only, or top surgery, and then there are various options 'down there'.
Some people decide to keep things as they are, others choose between different ways to make it more 'male'.

Whatever you choose, getting a diagnosis is your first port of call, and after that it will be a long journey.
Worth it though, I think!

Yea I’m in the uk

I'm not in the UK so I'm not sure how things work with going private in your country.
Tagging @AndBreathe , who knows a lot about the healthcare system in the UK.

 

[AndBreathe]

Thanks for the tag @Antje77 .

@Kayden-joe , testosterone is a natural hormone that both males and females have in their systems. Obviously female levels naturally run at a fraction of that of males.

As I understand it, your are transitioning f>m, which is an incredibly complex process, physically and mentally. In all honesty, your first steps will be with your GP, but I doubt you would be successful strolling in expecting to walk out with a prescription. To kick the process off properly, you will need a referral to a gender identity clinic.

You could choose to go privately, but you still need a GP (private GPs also exist) referral to see a consultant privately, but I would urge you to explore what the NHS might have to offer in the first instance. Transitioning is a long and I’d imagine a very expensive process, privately.

It could be useful to find a local support network, but I can’t help guide you there as it isn’t an area I have explored myself.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Kayden-joe]

Yea I’m under a gender clinic have been for 2 and a bit years now it’s a long waiting process I just wanted to know about the pros and cons of testosterone and diabeties and I’ve heard that you have to have your blood levels at a normal level before you can even go onto it and obviously I’m not the best controlled with mine and just wanted some advice on everything so thank you for your help

 

[Antje77]

Yea I’m under a gender clinic have been for 2 and a bit years now it’s a long waiting process I just wanted to know about the pros and cons of testosterone and diabeties and I’ve heard that you have to have your blood levels at a normal level before you can even go onto it and obviously I’m not the best controlled with mine and just wanted some advice on everything so thank you for your help

Glad to hear you're already under the care of a gender clinic.
I would bring your questions up with your diabetes team as well. They may have something to add, and they may also be able to help you get a bit more control of your diabetes.

 

[EllieM]

Are you under the care of a hospital team for your diabetes @Kayden-joe ? They should be able to help with your diabetic needs. I'd have thought at your age you could make a good case for a pump if you wanted one.... (I assume you've already got a cgm).

 

[searley]

Hi I’m just curious I’m FTM but I’m also diabetic I need a bit more advice on when I start testosterone the effects and what happens when I start testosterone?

Mod edit to note that this post has been moved/merged to this thread because it is very similar to the question below (originally the first post of this thread)

when I take testosterone either gell or injection it has zero effect on my BG

 

[searley]

I’m ftm and I have diabeties can I take testosterone while being diabetic and what’s the pros and cons

yes I am and do

The biggest pro for me is I can stay awake cos low test make me tired

 

[searley]

Thank you could I go private for my testosterone do you think or would I have to go the proper way round it with my doctors

go with the doctor. You get it free that way if prescribed

Plus it needs monitoring with blood tests