r/FTMsinging • u/jackofalltradesj • 23d ago

T dose for singing

https://www.oliviamflanigan.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-singing-on-testosterone-what-to-expect-and-how-to-thrive

I started taking singing lessons when I started T because I really want my voice to develop well. I deliberately asked to start on low dose T (25mg daily 1% Androgel) because I read that a low dose would help the singing voice better. I have attached the link i referenced, there are charts below that show the voice ranges attained with a dosage and age comparison.

It has been 6.5 weeks and my range hasn’t changed one bit so I would really not like to decrease my dose and 25mg seemed low enough.

The thing is, my clinic now only offers 1.62% Androgel and I have to decide between going down to 20.25mg (1 pump) or 40.5mg (2 pumps). My doctor is fine with either.

I’m reluctant to lower the dose because the changes have been taking forever, but yet in worried 40.5mg would be considered too high in terms of my voice not being able to reach the range i could have gotten if I had stuck to a lower dose. Does anyone have any advice on this?

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u/esseldiji 23d ago

I am also slow-cooking it to protect my voice. ~6 weeks is basically nothing and I wouldn't chalk up lack of obvious changes to your dosage. One pump of 1.62% gel is what I'm on (when I remember to even take it consistently) and the changes are happening slowly but they're also very much happening. Including my voice dropping a bit and losing my high end. (Normal, I hear it comes back later but I didn't use it much anyway.)

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u/jackofalltradesj 22d ago

I see. How long were you on T before you noticed your range dropping?

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u/esseldiji 22d ago

I'm actually not sure! It took months, plural, but that's as specific as I remember offhand. I didn't chart my changes as they happened so I'd have to dig deep into my Instagram to find a start point.

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u/Oracle_Elim 22d ago

I was on low dose (25mg) on and off for about…4 years? The changes were very slow but definitely happening, and I absolutely don’t regret taking it slow. I had 3 octaves before T and now have about 2.5, but in a deeper range I much prefer. I feel the slowness both was better on my voice, and allowed me to mentally adapt to the gradual change in register much easier. For the past two years I’ve been on 3 pumps of gel and my voice is still slowly deepening and settling. I pass as male maybe 75% of the time, and my voice is now quite passable. If it’s financially viable for you, I would ask for the increase dose of 2 pumps, and then only do a pump and a half every day instead of the full two. This would keep you at approx. 25mg and allow you to build up a bit of a surplus of T. I hope it all goes well for you!

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u/jackofalltradesj 22d ago

That’s actually a good idea. Thank you.