Signed my HRT consent today!

[Violet Bloom]

  The marathon wait is almost over and I'll be starting HRT in about one month.  Format will be oral Estrace and Spiro.  I was surprised after a lot of what I've read that my doctor considered liver damage risk to be negligible for me with the oral dosing.  They won't consider switching to patches until I'm 50 years old.  They also said that while I must be aware of and prepared for the risk of blood clots, they haven't seen a single case of this occurring in their practice.  All of this put me at great ease, especially considering that this clinic runs a large and dedicated LGBT-focused health program.  If anyone would know best it would be them.

  Thanks to everyone on Susan's for helping me make it this far!  If anyone has any advice from their own experiences when just starting the doses I'd like to hear it.  So begins the next chapter...

[A]

Make sure you do your blood tests and get to see your results. And if they're not good but they refuse to increase your dosage, insist. A lot. Or you might end up having a year and a half of estradiol on such a low dose that almost nothing happens like I did.

Also if you're ever a lot more worried about your liver than your doctor, I think putting your Estrace under your tongue is a valid option. Not that you SHOULD be more worried than your doctor without a reason.

Anyhow, good news. Congratulations.

[Violet Bloom]

I don't know how conservative they are with the starting doses but everything else so far has been quite professional.  I remember someone saying that Estrace tastes like crap if you let it dissolve in your mouth but I'm willing to put up with that if it's safer.  Thanks for the tip.

[A]

It's mostly if you're worried. SUPPOSEDLY it's more effective, but. Supposedly. Also, it doesn't taste bad. It tastes sweet.

And the starting dose doesn't matter too much. It's even wise to start slowly. But if after 3 months or more you're still on a dose that keeps your levels too low, then it might be time to speak up.

[Ltl89]

Congrats!

I remember someone saying that Estrace tastes like crap if you let it dissolve in your mouth but I'm willing to put up with that if it's safer.  Thanks for the tip.

I take it sublingually and it's been working fine.  In fact, I like the taste.  It has like a grape flavor to it.  Sort of like a children's vitamin.

[Violet Bloom]

I take it sublingually and it's been working fine.  In fact, I like the taste.  It has like a grape flavor to it.  Sort of like a children's vitamin.

Uh oh, my parents never let me have anything like that or candy when I was a kid - now I have a serious sweet tooth as a result of feeling deprived and also a subconscious desire for those vitamins!  Plus I love grape flavor - I'll be hooked!

[stacey fisher]

I tack estradiol  and that' not tabard off t taste in the mouth