9months hrt some questions

[AliciaD]

i've been on estradiol pill form for about 9months and haven't been feeling lately like much is going on, from what my friend said my dosage is about what she has used for her 3 years hrt and tho i know its only been 9 months i've looked at some peoples 9 month progress and it seems most people have had alot more happen,
for me so far there was a short time maybe between 3-4 or 4-5 month in that my chest had a tab bit soreness but besides that i rely haven't seen much go on, my face has had a vary minor change what even people who have known me for years are kinda hit and miss noticing, most actually don't notice any change in my face, i feel there been a small change but i myself ain't too sure how much, emotionally I've felt not rely any change besides being on hrt has made me feel bit better for a period but besides that nothing rely and my libido hasn't change at all i feel, breast growth has been miniscule, from the correct angel i can notice maybe a bit more curving but it hasn't even rely been enough for people to even notice 
i'm not rely sure what to take on all this or if it's just some people are not rely effected idk, I'd like know what others think about this

and also I've had some issues with my doctor also as she's stopped wanted give me full prescriptions saying that my liver levels are too high as i had a post asking about while back ago, the info i had was (AST 52 , ALT 86), tho so when i went to a general doctor about this to check on my liver they said my numbers came up 16/30, they did a extended test of things and said everything looked perfectly fine, i've been having treble recently getting more pills and am gonna run out soon, not sure if i'll get my refill yet, i been thinking if maybe i should ask my general doctor to pick up the case but I'm not sure how that would work out, it's all confusing and i've thought of maybe just stop taking pills till i can find another way instead continuing with the current doctor but i don't know exactly what stopping pills for a while and going back on will do, if anyone can help give some ideas/information
any help with these too situations is vary appreciated

[Shantel]

Usually you have to be taking a testosterone blocker in conjunction with the estrogen, since you hadn't mentioned it I thought perhaps this might be missing from your regimen. You didn't indicate whether your lady doctor specialized in transgender issues or was an endocrinologist so I'm assuming that she's an MD that you felt comfortable with going to for your HRT? It may be that she's not comfortable with MtF transitions and is being ultra conservative about the whole thing. Since her numbers conflict with the other Md's figures perhaps it would be wise to request the services of an endocrinologist and have a thorough blood screen done and submit to his/her medical advice and prescriptions. Don't leave it up to the amateurs and don't mess with it on your own either. You might read my personal experience entitled "Extreme Danger".

[AliciaD]

Usually you have to be taking a testosterone blocker in conjunction with the estrogen, since you hadn't mentioned it I thought perhaps this might be missing from your regimen. You didn't indicate whether your lady doctor specialized in transgender issues or was an endocrinologist so I'm assuming that she's an MD that you felt comfortable with going to for your HRT? It may be that she's not comfortable with MtF transitions and is being ultra conservative about the whole thing. Since her numbers conflict with the other Md's figures perhaps it would be wise to request the services of an endocrinologist and have a thorough blood screen done and submit to his/her medical advice and prescriptions. Don't leave it up to the amateurs and don't mess with it on your own either. You might read my personal experience entitled "Extreme Danger".

the doctor that i been with felt that there was no need to add a blocker, and i'm not 100% on what their position is but the place i have been going is a clinic that normally deals with hiv/std testing stuff and i guess on the side give hormones, other people go there for HRT also, also the general doctor i went to at the big hospital did a pretty extensive blood test from what it looks like i got i believe 4 pages given to me of numbers and stuff from the test , and ok i will read it

[luna nyan]

For HRT, there are target ranges for both E and T to achieve the desired result, whether it be feminisation or masculinisation.  As a generalisation for mtfs, the target E levels will vary greatly, but a common goal would be to reduce T levels to a level that is similar to a natal female.

The target ranges will vary between treating doctors, and the desired results of the patient.  The dosages and medications required to achieve the levels will also vary as well.  Some MtFs will achieve sufficient results with E only, others will only get a result with a T blocker of some sort.

The limiting factor on how high dosages can be will generally be liver function.

I would agree with Shantel, and strongly recommend that you don't fiddle with your medication levels yourself.  If you're not comfortable with your rate of progress, have a good chat with your treating Doctor first, and then if you're still not satisfied, seek a second opinion.  Continuity of care has its advantages in my opinion.

Best of luck with it all, just remember you will get there eventually. =)


Aside/musing:
One thing that I notice with a lot of people is that they do "medical provider" shopping.  They have a clear treatment intention and outcome in mind, regardless of whether or not said treatment is sound and will shop around till they find someone who will do exactly as they desire.  Although that is fantastic from a free market/individual rights point of view, most of the time, I question whether it is prudent to go against the grain.  Unless of course, the majority view doesn't make for common sense, which happens too often in my opinion.

[AliciaD]

For HRT, there are target ranges for both E and T to achieve the desired result, whether it be feminisation or masculinisation.  As a generalisation for mtfs, the target E levels will vary greatly, but a common goal would be to reduce T levels to a level that is similar to a natal female.

The target ranges will vary between treating doctors, and the desired results of the patient.  The dosages and medications required to achieve the levels will also vary as well.  Some MtFs will achieve sufficient results with E only, others will only get a result with a T blocker of some sort.

The limiting factor on how high dosages can be will generally be liver function.

I would agree with Shantel, and strongly recommend that you don't fiddle with your medication levels yourself.  If you're not comfortable with your rate of progress, have a good chat with your treating Doctor first, and then if you're still not satisfied, seek a second opinion.  Continuity of care has its advantages in my opinion.

Best of luck with it all, just remember you will get there eventually. =)


Aside/musing:
One thing that I notice with a lot of people is that they do "medical provider" shopping.  They have a clear treatment intention and outcome in mind, regardless of whether or not said treatment is sound and will shop around till they find someone who will do exactly as they desire.  Although that is fantastic from a free market/individual rights point of view, most of the time, I question whether it is prudent to go against the grain.  Unless of course, the majority view doesn't make for common sense, which happens too often in my opinion.

thanks for your reply, and yea i didn't have the intentions of making up my own regimen, i'll have call around and stuff and try figure this out i just don't want limit myself to a lesser result thens possible, and thanks for the luck is appreciated