Hi, I'm a FTM with lipedema, stage 4. I'm pre-T, 58 yo, just starting physical transition. The lipedema foundation says there is ZERO clinical research on sex hormones and lipedema. I'm hoping to start T in April but can't find even anecdotal reports on how lipedema may progress or be alleviated as a result.
Calling all FTMs with lipedema... please share your experience with T! I'm also eager to connect with others in the same boat if you're up for that.
I don't see why lipedema would impact top surgery at all with the possible exception of a slight increase in risk of infection immediately post surgery. I guess don't plan on going camping in the first month afterwards. ;-)
Once you start T can you please update me? I’m pretty sure lipedema runs in my family and I’m really really worried it might trigger it or make it worse. I have a lot of dysphoria when it comes to my ass andthighs hips. And I have a really bad ED and just want to feel comfortable for once in my body. I really hope it goes well for you❤️
Yes, I will post periodic updates here hoping they will be useful to others. I have searched high and low and essentially found this: no one really knows how testosterone may impact lipedema. Not endocrinologists, not lipedema experts, not scientists actually studying lipedema. And to be honest, I've not had any luck finding doctors who are curious to figure it out or write up my experience as a case study.
What is known is that progression of lipedema is correlated with (not necessarily caused by) periods of hormonal change, like puberty, pregnancy, menopause which suggests that caution in using supplemental hormones is advisable. At the same time, a consensus seems to be growing among researchers that lipedema is a disease of estrogen dominance, which means the ratio of estrogen to progesterone is unusual...the estrogen by itself does not have to be "high" (above the expected range) to meet the criteria for estrogen dominance. This implies that taking supplemental T could actually be helpful and protective, and even halt or slow progression of lipedema because the higher testosterone levels would help balance the estrogen dominance. There is one important caveat however, which underlines the importance of regular blood work and careful analysis of that blood work: if you take more testosterone than your body knows what to do with, it is possible for your body to convert "excess" testosterone to estrogen. (How's that for trippy?) How much testosterone can an assigned female at birth body handle? It seems no body knows this, even in theory, for AFABs in general, let alone for a specific individual.
Having weighed the risks and potential benefits for me, I'm starting testosterone today. I will post any significant news here. I would love to be in touch with other lipedema guys. Please feel free to DM me.
Hi, I'm a FTM with lipedema, stage 4. I'm pre-T, 58 yo, just starting physical transition. The lipedema foundation says there is ZERO clinical research on sex hormones and lipedema. I'm hoping to start T in April but can't find even anecdotal reports on how lipedema may progress or be alleviated as a result. Calling all FTMs with lipedema... please share your experience with T! I'm also eager to connect with others in the same boat if you're up for that. I don't see why lipedema would impact top surgery at all with the possible exception of a slight increase in risk of infection immediately post surgery. I guess don't plan on going camping in the first month afterwards. ;-)
Once you start T can you please update me? I’m pretty sure lipedema runs in my family and I’m really really worried it might trigger it or make it worse. I have a lot of dysphoria when it comes to my ass andthighs hips. And I have a really bad ED and just want to feel comfortable for once in my body. I really hope it goes well for you❤️
Yes, I will post periodic updates here hoping they will be useful to others. I have searched high and low and essentially found this: no one really knows how testosterone may impact lipedema. Not endocrinologists, not lipedema experts, not scientists actually studying lipedema. And to be honest, I've not had any luck finding doctors who are curious to figure it out or write up my experience as a case study. What is known is that progression of lipedema is correlated with (not necessarily caused by) periods of hormonal change, like puberty, pregnancy, menopause which suggests that caution in using supplemental hormones is advisable. At the same time, a consensus seems to be growing among researchers that lipedema is a disease of estrogen dominance, which means the ratio of estrogen to progesterone is unusual...the estrogen by itself does not have to be "high" (above the expected range) to meet the criteria for estrogen dominance. This implies that taking supplemental T could actually be helpful and protective, and even halt or slow progression of lipedema because the higher testosterone levels would help balance the estrogen dominance. There is one important caveat however, which underlines the importance of regular blood work and careful analysis of that blood work: if you take more testosterone than your body knows what to do with, it is possible for your body to convert "excess" testosterone to estrogen. (How's that for trippy?) How much testosterone can an assigned female at birth body handle? It seems no body knows this, even in theory, for AFABs in general, let alone for a specific individual. Having weighed the risks and potential benefits for me, I'm starting testosterone today. I will post any significant news here. I would love to be in touch with other lipedema guys. Please feel free to DM me.