Mild disappointment at my endo follow up

[Beth Andrea]

Mild.

I was originally put on the "smallest" dose available (estradiol), and a month later the doc increases it to twice that amount...so a month later he says, "well, everything looks good...we'll keep the dose as-is for 3 months and check again." (Blood draw this time, also)

No liver problems, BP is good, no illnesses/aches, etc. Sure, I can wait for the bloodwork to get back (and I'm sure that's going to be good, too...*knocks on wood* )

But I was kinda hoping he'd up the dosage again, just a wee bit. It's funny, but when I was on menopause supps they didn't do much for me--other than letting my body know "I WANT THIS!". When I took the small dose, it was about equal to the menopause supps, in terms of well-being etc. (although the estradiol did make my nips itchy)

When I took the "twice" amount, much more well-being, and soreness/etc behind the nips...but still I feel like I'm nowhere near my dose for my needs. It's hard to describe, but maybe something like, "I'm starving...go to a friend's house for dinner...he gives me one bite of food, then sends me on my way...go to another friend, he gives me a small plate of food, then sends me on my way..."

I know I'm getting nourishment, but it's just not enough!

Should I just have patience until next appointment (3 months), or is it alright (not rude to the doc, who I like a lot) to suggest a higher dose sooner (given the bloodwork is ok)?

Any advice or experience shared would be appreciated!  *hugs*

*waves at everyone*

[Alainaluvsu]

My doctor told me it takes about 3 months for levels to shift enough to send you from male to female levels. What were your levels?

[Beth Andrea]

My doctor told me it takes about 3 months for levels to shift enough to send you from male to female levels. What were your levels?

That's in the bloodwork that was done; I'll find out in a week or two. I've been on E and Spiro for (eta: nearly) two whole months! LOL!

Baseline (for me, done in Dec 2011) was T = 140ish, E = 40ish.

I'm very sure the T levels are darn near zero, I can't feel any of that yuck anymore. (Yay!)...and I tell you what, "girlie" doesn't begin to describe what E does for me...

[Alainaluvsu]

Wow your T was low. I can see why she put you on low E. Just wait it out. If your E levels are low on this blood draw she may call you back to up your dosage.

I was put on what some would call a "regular" dose for MTFs and my E levels were through the roof and my T was close to non existant. It took about 5 months to get to that point, too.

I had no baseline (self medding for 2 months).

For example, 2 months into HRT, my E = 175, my T = 25.

5th month = 722 E, 9 T.

I was on the exact same dose on month 5 since the day I started HRT. Your levels may decide to sky rocket. I would be patient imo.

[Beth Andrea]

For example, 2 months into HRT, my E = 175, my T = 25.

5th month = 722 E, 9 T.

I was on the exact same dose on month 5 since the day I started HRT. Your levels may decide to sky rocket. I would be patient imo.

Ok, thanks. Maybe it will go up, hence the cautious approach.

fwiw, my levels are currently:

E = 255
T = 49 (total)

[Alainaluvsu]

Your levels are good. Female range for T is 5-85, and doctors try to keep transsexual women in the 150-250 range for estradiol (at least mine does). Just let it do its thang baby girl

[A]

You can always discuss with your doctor and suggest another increase. In the worst case, you'll have a "no" with a reassuring explanation of the refusal.

[Jamie D]

Wow your T was low. I can see why she put you on low E. Just wait it out. If your E levels are low on this blood draw she may call you back to up your dosage.

I was put on what some would call a "regular" dose for MTFs and my E levels were through the roof and my T was close to non existant. It took about 5 months to get to that point, too.

I had no baseline (self medding for 2 months).

For example, 2 months into HRT, my E = 175, my T = 25.

5th month = 722 E, 9 T.

I was on the exact same dose on month 5 since the day I started HRT. Your levels may decide to sky rocket. I would be patient imo.

It is important to differentiate between "Free Testosterone" (normal male range 35-155 pg/mL) and "Total Testosterone" (normal male range 250-1100 ng/dL)

[Beth Andrea]

Free T for me is 0.3.

I think I'll just wait. I'm doing good otherwise, even getting another growth binge on the boobies. 

[The Passage]

They want to be extra careful, to see how you do over time on a set dose. If your body takes too much of the estrogen it will start converting into testosterone and that is no good. I've been on a steady dose for a while and it seems to be working okay but my spiro dose was upped a bit. We'll see what happens. >.<

[Alainaluvsu]

They want to be extra careful, to see how you do over time on a set dose. If your body takes too much of the estrogen it will start converting into testosterone and that is no good. I've been on a steady dose for a while and it seems to be working okay but my spiro dose was upped a bit. We'll see what happens. >.<

Not necessarily. While it's true that aromatase cconverts T to E, I do not think there's a mechanism within the body that converts E to T. However if your body sees too much E in the body, there's a chance that the pituitary gland will tell you to pump out more T, blocking the E from taking hold.

But I'm not schooled on this or anything so I could be wrong.

[Naturally Blonde]

However if your body sees too much E in the body, there's a chance that the pituitary gland will tell you to pump out more T, blocking the E from taking hold.

But I'm not schooled on this or anything so I could be wrong.

I think your right!