6 weeks low E results

[luna nyan]

As quite a few people here are asking about what happens on low dose HRT, I thought I'd put a post up regarding what's happened to me.

Around 6 weeks - E only x mg/day - taken sublingually and I've been keeping exactly to the prescribed dosage.
Baseline E was 83pg/mL 6 week 325pg/mL (normal male 15-60, female ovulatory peak 130-370!!)
Baseline  free T  15ng/dl 6 week 18 ng/mL (normal male 9-30)

I would suspect that my E reading was off as I had only taken my last dose about 4 hours before the blood test - the average plasma levels should be much lower than that - the reading is likely to be a peak level.  Otherwise I'd be overly sensitive, and in a bit of trouble as far as sorting out my dosages are concerned.

Physical Changes
Definite softening of the skin (my endo did comment on it at the last appointment)
Facial hair growth has slowed down (I have about a dozen thicker hairs which have cropped up in the last year that I shave because I haven't had time to go and get them zapped).
My nipples are more reactive to temperature, and some very slight puffiness around one areole.
Lost 2lbs, and if I stare at myself with really really rose tinted glasses, there may even be a waist starting to happen! 

Mental Changes
Reduced libido
Slightly more connected to my emotions - but it's not like when I was a little kid and crying at the drop of a hat - I can sort of feel it wanting to happen, but not quite connecting if you get my drift.

I'll leave the other more personal stuff out, if someone wants to know, feel free to PM me.

My endo and I have decided to add spiro to the mix and seeing what happens next (1 daily dose only).  My endo is being very flexible with me in saying that if I'm getting too good a result (ie changes happening too fast), to contact him to adjust dosages.

I'll have to put up a blog at some stage so that anyone interested can follow more easily.

[mementomori]

im very interested in this becuase i identify as androgynous feminine and not planning on a full transition but am just getting ffs ( defiantly getting  ) and contemplating low dose hormone therapy . i was contemplating it when i was 16 and now im 25  , wish i did it then! oh well such is life

[Ashley_C]

As quite a few people here are asking about what happens on low dose HRT, I thought I'd put a post up regarding what's happened to me.

Around 6 weeks - E only x mg/day - taken sublingually and I've been keeping exactly to the prescribed dosage.
Baseline E was 83pg/mL 6 week 325pg/mL (normal male 15-60, female ovulatory peak 130-370!!)
Baseline  free T  15ng/dl 6 week 18 ng/mL (normal male 9-30)

You should blog for sure. I was just talking about low dose with my GT.

I'm curious, what's your age?

[luna nyan]

I'm curious, what's your age?

Between 35-40.  I've always looked young for my age (got clocked for ID when I was 30 *lol), but I noticed that my hairline was starting to thin a bit around the front, and starting to recede a fraction.  That really brought my GID feelings really to the fore, and hence my decision to go for low dose HRT.

[mementomori]

Between 35-40.  I've always looked young for my age (got clocked for ID when I was 30 *lol), but I noticed that my hairline was starting to thin a bit around the front, and starting to recede a fraction.  That really brought my GID feelings really to the fore, and hence my decision to go for low dose HRT.

so is it possible to be on low dose forever ? you dont have to go on the full dose ? im 25 and this is something im considering . i have gid but not enough to warrant a full transition , im getting ffs etc . but for me going through my initial puberty wasnt stressfull and didnt feel wrong to me , ive never felt wrong about having male genitalia . for me what was bothersome was the second half of puberty , facial hair coming in was horrific for me but luckily ive removed most of it with electorylises . now at 25 im terrified about some the affects of ageing with full testorome . possible hairloss in the future ( even though theres no signs of it now  ) and mausclinizing further

[luna nyan]

Technically speaking it is possible to be on low dose for a long time.  However some feminising effect will be inevitable.  The amount will Depend on dosage and your own sensitivity to HRT.  As there are no hard rules about this, you will have to work with your endo to find a dose that you feel comfortable with.

As with all HRT the concomitant risks are still present regardless of dose.

[Agent_J]

My experience (across two endocrinologists) is that there are even physicians whose effective goal is to have you on the lowest dose you will accept. My first effectively refused to put me on a dose any higher than what is normal for treating menopausal women, and my serum E labs showed it with my highest result, which was 2 years into HRT, was 65pg/mL (as it was on a transdermal patch system this likely didn't vary much.)

My preference is doctors who do not strictly chase numbers. My current endo wants my serum E to never be outside of 100-200pg/mL, which is why, after 3 years of HRT, my dose is still being adjusted (and, particularly, because she is drastic when she makes a reduction, e.g. cutting my dose by more than 50% in one shot.)

[Stephe]

so is it possible to be on low dose forever ? you dont have to go on the full dose ? im 25 and this is something im considering . i have gid but not enough to warrant a full transition , im getting ffs etc . but for me going through my initial puberty wasnt stressfull and didnt feel wrong to me , ive never felt wrong about having male genitalia . for me what was bothersome was the second half of puberty , facial hair coming in was horrific for me but luckily ive removed most of it with electorylises . now at 25 im terrified about some the affects of ageing with full testorome . possible hairloss in the future ( even though theres no signs of it now  ) and mausclinizing further

You can likely take some AA that will tone down your T to get the effects you are looking for.