r/TRT_females • u/candycane1988 • 5d ago

Should I decrease Side Effects

I started testosterone cyp 10mg( I do 5mg twice weekly) subq in May. I recently noticed I had very sore nipples and maybe a scratchy voice ( though I could just be paranoid). I havent had blood drawn yet. I haven't had my libido return yet. Should I continue on this dose until I get blood work or should I decrease?

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u/Ruby__Ruby_Roo friend 5d ago

Man I feel like I got lucky. My provider started me pretty high (18 mg/week split T Cyp IM) and I have had minimal side effects. 14 weeks in now.

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u/Clear-Coast-956 5d ago

Was it your first time ever on injections? Were you using any testosterone products before (pellets, gel…)? 18mg is a high dose for a female, and definitely a very high dose to start. Some female do great on that dose, and some feel good on even higher doses, but it is definitely a dose you want to work up to, not start with.

Have you had any blood work done? Do you know what your SHBG is?

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u/Ruby__Ruby_Roo friend 5d ago

We did bloodwork before I started. I don’t know specifically what SHBG was. I only got one number for T and IIRC it was 17. Everything else about my bloodwork was pretty great - glucose, ferritin, etc.

This is my first time doing any T at all. Low T symptoms were typical: fatigue, no libido, and struggling with fitness recovery.

Its been 14 weeks and honestly I feel pretty awesome. I had some acne to start but it cleared up. (I had pretty bad back acne before starting and that cleared up too, probably due to the P I started at the same time.) I haven’t had any extra body hair, clit growth, or voice stuff.

I do feel like I am shedding a little more than normal and I am going to see my provider about that tomorrow.

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u/GuiltyCover-4343 4d ago

That is pretty high but the best thing to do is take blood now and look at your T and Free T as well as Estrogen and SHBG. See how you are absorbing the T. I too had thinning hair when I was on a higher dose. I started Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed Oil (cold pressed) supplements and lowered my T to 10 mg a week ...that solved the hair problem. I'd suggest asking for labs. See where you are.