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HRT Question?

Started by EmilyMI, October 16, 2012, 07:59:31 AM

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EmilyMI

I recently had some blood work done but not sure quite how to read the results?  Here is a link to my results - if someone could help me try to understand this better to see where I am at with everything that would be incredibly helpful.  Thank You.

Estrogen Results:  http://i45.tinypic.com/z4xe9.jpg

Testosterone results - http://i49.tinypic.com/1265kxh.jpg

Misc results - http://i46.tinypic.com/mazbdk.jpg


 
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Wynternight

Your CMP (metabolic panel - the last link) looks perfectly fine. Your liver functions are well within normal limits. If you'd like me to interpret or explain anything on the CMP I'm happy to do so. I'm a nurse if you want to know my bonafides. :)

Your endo would need to interpret the hormones for you as I'm not sure what the ranges should be for your time on HRT. Obviously the testosterone is quite low.
Stooping down, dipping my wings, I came into the darkly-splendid abodes. There, in that formless abyss was I made a partaker of the Mysteries Averse. LIBER CORDIS CINCTI SERPENTE-11;4

HRT- 31 August, 2014
FT - 7 Sep, 2016
VFS- 19 October, 2016
FFS/BA - 28 Feb, 2018
SRS - 31 Oct 2018
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kathy bottoms

My Endo said my T was too low at 4 and wanted it up near 45 or 50, and that my estradiol was too high at 308 and he lowered my prescription to get it below the 200 range that he uses becuse it was recommended by American Endocrinology.  It really hurt to cut my E, but I promissed I'd keep quiet about it.

I complained a bit on Susan's about the lower doses, but finally realized that there's not much I could do about it in my position.

Take care.  Kathy
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Alainaluvsu

My doctor was freaking out when my E was at 722, it was WAY too high. She was fine with my T being at 7.
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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EmilyMI

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on October 16, 2012, 01:30:01 PM
My doctor was freaking out when my E was at 722, it was WAY too high. She was fine with my T being at 7.

That is where I get confused at, according to my lab work I am at 713 for my total estrogen? so do I look at that number or the estrogen/serum levels which is at 513.   I still do not even really know if my levels are normal or high? I go to a normal Doctor so I am awaiting for a call back to try to make heads or tails out of it?  Do you know your current Estrogen levels?
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Alainaluvsu

My test was for total estradiol. Mine wanted me around 200. You are high either way you look at it
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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EmilyMI

hmmm OK - well I am awaiting a reply back from my Doctor so I can ask him what he would recommend for me to do next? I only once a week injections for my estrogen, so not sure what else I can change?
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EmilyMI

I FINALLY received back my labs from my Doctor about some blood tests I had several weeks ago. My Estrogen levels were at 329 (from 700+) so that came down A LOT and more in the normal female range. A bit high still but no where near the levels before. My testosterone level was at 1 (from 4) so that also that went down as well and from what I understand 1 is VERY low. Hopefully at least from what I have read having THAT high of Estrogen my body was not metabolizing it and could be why my results were lacking so hopefully with it being more in range I will see some more physical changes? at least that is what I am hoping...
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Sybil

Yikes, I'm wondering if different doctors measure things in different standards. My testosterone level is 22 and my estrogen level is 77. My doctor is extremely enthusiastic about those numbers and says they're in the normal female range; the changes are also very obvious to me and anyone who knows me, they definitely show. Why would the estrogen number in particular be so different?

My doctor also talks about two kinds of testosterone: a form it takes initially and a form it takes after something binds to it, which she calls free testosterone. She tells me that my initial form is a little high but that my free testosterone looks great, which is the type that has any effect.

From what I can gather, the average female has a testosterone level of 15-70 ng/dL and an estradiol level (when not menstruating) of 25-75 pg/mL. Maybe this is what my doctor is going by. I don't know what else it could be that would make the numbers so wildly different.
Why do I always write such incredibly long posts?
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Alainaluvsu

Any literature I've read online about where doctors SHOULD keep us at are around 175 pg / ml. I know when mine was around 90 I was slowly re masculinizing after what my doctor called "excellent results" on the previous visit. Normal male range for E is up to 40 pg / ml ... so I'd say 77 is low. Keep in mind females have consistently high estradiol levels during puberty.

However your results may vary and the changes you're experiencing are more important than any literature can advise on. I don't think any of us could tell you what levels are going to give you the maximum feminization.
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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Sybil

Thanks for sharing that, Alainaluvsu. I some times feel like my results haven't been truly adequate, but I dismiss that as an insecurity because I take progress pictures and the difference is pretty enormous. I also feel it in my skin and emotions and stuff like that.

Still, I think I'll bring it up to my doctor again and discuss that figure with her. In the past, I've talked to her about dosages (which I know we can't share here, so I won't share mine) and expressed concern that mine was much lower than other trans women have reported. She told me that those dosages were extremely high and not something the hospital usually did, but one year later and I was moved up to that dose.

Whatever the case, I can't help but let it really concern me that my situation is so different from the norm. I hope that I simply respond to it differently rather than not receiving the appropriate amount. My hospital is considered wonderful for treatment of trans people (Fenway Health in Boston), so there is some comfort in that for me.

Thanks again!
Why do I always write such incredibly long posts?
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Alainaluvsu

You're welcome honey :)

And I went through... and still am going through some of the doubts and what nots as you are. I still look in the mirror and see the same freaking person sometimes... or some totally non passable ... thing at least. But I know that's not true because reactions from people are COMPLETELY contrary to what I think of me when I look in the mirror.

<----- What the world sees when they see me

What I see when I look in the mirror:

We are our own biggest critics.
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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Sybil

Hahaha! That is definitely my experience and how I feel when I look in the mirror. I sit there in front of it every day, picking myself apart, and wonder if anything's really changed -- "thing" is definitely how I feel about myself most of the time. Despite that, other people commune a totally different message; I've even reconnected with old friends who have no idea it's me when they see me and talk to me.

Anyhow, you really got a laugh out of me just now and I left a message with my doctor about what you said and asked about her feelings on the subject, so hopefully that will get sorted and really help me with my concerns. I really appreciate the push! (in other words, thank you [again] for being awesome <3)
Why do I always write such incredibly long posts?
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Alainaluvsu

:) I'm glad!!

I hope your doctor has all the right answers for you sweet pea! Keep us updated!
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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EmilyMI

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on October 23, 2012, 02:41:50 AM
You're welcome honey :)

And I went through... and still am going through some of the doubts and what nots as you are. I still look in the mirror and see the same freaking person sometimes... or some totally non passable ... thing at least. But I know that's not true because reactions from people are COMPLETELY contrary to what I think of me when I look in the mirror.

<----- What the world sees when they see me

What I see when I look in the mirror:

We are our own biggest critics.

I 100% agree that we are own worst critics.  I know I am VERY hard on myself when ti comes to how I view myself.  People say that I am pretty passable right now and I can start going full-time, but in my eyes I still see everything wrong with me, not the good.  I honestly do not know how to change this and try to see myself in a better light? It is hard for sure to see the good especially in our situation where we are literally changing everything about us to be complete and happy.

-Emily
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Alainaluvsu

Sometimes it's easier to say "Well okay maybe I don't pass as a girl... but do I pass better as a guy? ..."
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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EmilyMI

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on October 23, 2012, 09:22:29 AM
Sometimes it's easier to say "Well okay maybe I don't pass as a girl... but do I pass better as a guy? ..."

I think it still comes down to how critical we are on ourself? Speaking for myself but I do not think that I am passable as a girl right now and seem to fit into that androgynous male role right now.  I am looking hopefully here very soon to try some new hair styles and also also get my eyes brows done to help my over all feminine appearance? 

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Alainaluvsu

I'm a hairstylist, maybe I can help you find one?

And doing your eyebrows is easy and quick if you have a wax kit... just painful if you want them done perfectly because you're going to need to pull out the tweezers no matter what. I did mine myself. Just get everything below the eye socket bone, pluck the strays up top, and shape it in an arch. Get some nose hair trimmers and a fine tooth comb, comb out the eyebrows and shave everything that comes above the teeth. If your hair grows like mine (as in... faster than grass after it rains), you'll have to use tweezers to maintenance every day. The maintenance is not as painful as the initial clearing because for some reason, short hairs don't hurt as much, but it is tedious. I spend at least 5-10 minutes a day keeping up with my eyebrows and people compliment me all the time on them.

Go by this guide on how they should look: 
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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Alainaluvsu

Quote from: girl you look fierce on October 23, 2012, 10:34:54 AM
@alaina is trimming the length down normal? Or is it meant for people w/ long or bushy eyebrows? Just curious 'cause I thought I heard some people do that but I wasn't sure where, and I just shape mine personally.  :)
Well... if you don't need to trim it you're not gonna cut any off anyways  by using the fine tooth comb, it'll keep you from cutting too much :)
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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EmilyMI

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on October 23, 2012, 10:29:58 AM
I'm a hairstylist, maybe I can help you find one?

And doing your eyebrows is easy and quick if you have a wax kit... just painful if you want them done perfectly because you're going to need to pull out the tweezers no matter what. I did mine myself. Just get everything below the eye socket bone, pluck the strays up top, and shape it in an arch. Get some nose hair trimmers and a fine tooth comb, comb out the eyebrows and shave everything that comes above the teeth. If your hair grows like mine (as in... faster than grass after it rains), you'll have to use tweezers to maintenance every day. The maintenance is not as painful as the initial clearing because for some reason, short hairs don't hurt as much, but it is tedious. I spend at least 5-10 minutes a day keeping up with my eyebrows and people compliment me all the time on them.

Go by this guide on how they should look: 


Thanks for the information about my brows, I will have to do this and see how it will look on me.  I am not new to pain (just part of the process) so to get it waxed will not be an issue I do not think. Mine are not overly bushy but yes I know that constant maintenance is really key to making it look nice and keep it feminine.

I am still not sure on what I want to do with my hair still? I know that bangs is a must to hide my huge forehead LOL but just not sure which will work for me?  I am thinking about this one shown below? not blonde color but maybe a copper brown or a chocolate brown color?  So yes ANY suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  :-*



Direct Link:  http://i49.tinypic.com/339umis.jpg

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