u/Defiant_Salad7951

My provider refuses to up my Testosterone dose from 40mg/wk. my only concern with staying on a lower dose long term is that my levels are much lower than a cis man but higher than a woman. I haven’t experienced much masculinization but I’m experiencing severe menopausal dryness down there. So basically my estrogen is very much suppressed but my testosterone is lower than any cis guy.

My provider at planned parenthood told me that she doesn’t prescribe any trans men a high enough dose to be at the level of a cis man, only enough to cause masculinization. Is that normal? I want to be at the normal testosterone level for a guy my age. I find it hard to believe that staying at a low dose wont affect my bones long term?

(5months on T)

Im considering paying out of pocket for top surgery, even though I have insurance that would cover the full cost, due to the fact that my parents would see the bill and it would cause huge drama. I'm already out to them (which they did not take well) but surgery would likely be the final straw in my relationship with them.

Any advice on how to navigate this? I have enough in savings to pull it off, but its not a small amount of money...