Low T vs. No T

[NaturalEunuch (imported)]

I've been low T (around 200 ng/dL) for years, so I'm familiar with low energy, diminished libido, ED, etc. I expect there will be a difference after orchi, but since I'm already part of the way there, will it be a slight difference or a drastic difference? I mean, how much lower energy can I get?

[Hash (imported)]

At around 200 ng/dl you're at the low end of testosterone, but still not at eunuch level. You probably have some degree of hypogonadism, with some increased breast tissue and maybe your penis and testicles have shrunk. Low energy and diminished libido, ED, are all part of the low T equation, but those things will be the least of your worries after your castrated. Once you're totally castrated, you will enter into a new world in a few short days. The danger is deep dark depression, the kind you have never experienced. A few days after you're castrated, with your testosterone down at or near 45/50 ng/dl, you will be an emotional mess. Yes, total castration effects vary from one individual to the next, but all in all, from my experience, the effects will seem drastic. After I was completely castrated, I tried to live life as a eunuch, but the effects were too much for me to handle. I couldn't function at all. Maybe you'll be different, but if I were you, I'd ask for some Androgel just in case. My depression overwhelmed me, it was dark and dangerous and the cause was hormonal ablation. Adrenal glands manufacture testosterone, but it's insufficient to stem the desperate depression that you might experience. I'm very serious, it was scary. I had to use Androgel or another form of testosterone, it was only after adding back testosterone did my mental and emotional faculties return. So ask for some Androgel or some form of testosterone just in case the depression overwhelms you. Now that said, once you're castrated, your then able to control your testosterone and you might be able to start out with a certain amount and then reduce it slowly over time, giving your body time to adjust to it. I will also warn you that living as a testosterone free eunuch will cause osteoporosis and heart problems. You'll need to have a bone density test every year. Well, good luck to you.

[WheelyCurious]

I'd agree w/ Hash... 200 is low, but not that terribly low, so you probably aren't getting a lot of highly notable effects from it... But going all the way to castrate levels (under 50) has a LOT more consequences, and there are significant health risks, physical and mental, to being 'hormone free'.

However this does not necessarily mean having to go on supplemental T. There is the option of going the other direction and going on supplemental estrogen - using either T or E avoids the bad parts of having nothing. Estrogen avoids the negative parts of having T, but will tend to give you some breast growth and fat shifts to a more feminine distribution (how much is variable, but if you are on medicare because of age, you probably won't get a lot)...

I use an estrogen patch that I need to change twice a week, but is otherwise not a lot of hassle. Since I've been on it, my boobs have grown enough for me to notice when I'm naked, but not enough to be obvious with a shirt on.

There are also some artificial forms called "SERMs" that act selectively to give the health benefits of estrogen, but supposedly won't give as much breast growth. However they have the downside of increased risk of blood clots, which is why my doc won't put me on them. (I'm already at increased risk because of my paralysis)

This will be part of your discussion with the docs at the TG center as endocrine management is part of the process for any sort of transition.

ex-Gooserider

[NaturalEunuch (imported)]

Hash & WheelyCurious, thank you for that feedback. I hadn't even thought about depression. I guess if you begrudgingly have to undergo the procedure for health reasons, that would be depressing. Do voluntary eunuchs experience depression also?

[WheelyCurious]

Hash & WheelyCurious, thank you for that feedback. I hadn't even thought about depression. I guess if you begrudgingly have to undergo the procedure for health reasons, that would be depressing. Do voluntary eunuchs experience depression also?

That is a good question, and I'm not sure if there is a definite answer, as there haven't been a lot of studies done on voluntary eunuchs. If you look through a lot of the past discussion, you'll learn that a lot of the work that went into the eunuch chapter of SOC v8, and a good bit of the research has actually come from this site, particularly several of the mods and "Jesus"...

Of course there are two things to keep in mind -

1. No matter what the research and experience of others suggests, each individual is different and it is not possible to predict what a particular person's experience will be with any accuracy. Bell curves only work for large groups, and their very existence says there WILL be individuals that don't do what is indicated by the curve...

2. From what I've seen reported by others here, (which includes a mix of voluntary and involuntary eunuchs, and it's not always clear which) the results vary a lot, from deep depression to delight.... It seems that some of the reaction may be from the hormone changes (which presumably would be minimal if doing the chemical castration for a while first?) and some from the physical impact of no longer having those precious family jewels.... Presumably the latter would be less of a problem for the voluntaries, but there is always the difference between imagination / expectation and reality... I'd say the best bet is to at least establish a mental health safety net before surgery so that it is there if you need it.

WheelyCurious

[Castor (imported)]

Perhaps a good method would be to start with a certain amount of testogel after castration and keep reducing it so that the loss of testosterone does not come suddenly.

[DerKastrierte (imported)]

It is obviously different from individual to individual, I have been castrated two years ago and asked for androgel just in case, as it always was my wish to become eunuch. Have to say that my main problem is weight gain and hot flashes and ED of course but I didn't have any issues with depressions up to know. My athletic performance also went down. I'm slower and exhausted quicker. I took no T for a couple of months and still leave it from time to time, and when taking gel I take a dose as low, that I don't get hot flashes but my sexual interest is still not there, neither an ability to perform sexually And I have to say I am very happy like it is.

So taking gel is a good idea. the good thing about it, that the dose can be determined by yourself

[Castor (imported)]

It is obviously different from individual to individual, I have been castrated two years ago and asked for androgel just in case, as it always was my wish to become eunuch. Have to say that my main problem is weight gain and hot flashes and ED of course but I didn't have any issues with depressions up to know. My athletic performance also went down. I'm slower and exhausted quicker. I took no T for a couple of months and still leave it from time to time, and when taking gel I take a dose as low, that I don't get hot flashes but my sexual interest is still not there, neither an ability to perform sexually And I have to say I am very happy like it is.

So taking gel is a good idea. the good thing about it, that the dose can be determined by yourself

Thank you for your answer. Apart from the weight gain, that would be exactly what I would like to achieve. Therefore, I think that I will try to keep a low T value after my castration.

[DerKastrierte (imported)]

so good luck for you castration, just read it takes part in early 2023, so probably soon. Let us know how it worked and lost of sports will help preventing the weight gain!

[Castor (imported)]

Thanks again. I am still waiting for the final permission, but I expect it every week, so that nothing should stand in the way of a castration in the spring. I will keep you informed.