Is Testosterone the only indicator to worry about?

[Dana]

Hey Susans!

I was hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on this subject, but a little background first!
I'm a 28 year old from Melbourne, AUS, I've been on HRT around 8 months now, my initial blood work showed that I had a testosterone level of 25nmol and I started out on Spiro and Progynova.
Without giving away any dosages, after 3 months my testosterone had lowered to approx. 15nmol. Spiro which was tending to give me nightmares which wasn't fun, so my GP prescribed me Microgynon, a combination ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel. Once again without giving away which dosage I'm on, 1 tablet per day and over 5 months my testosterone has dropped down to 0.5nmol.
I've had no side effects with microgynon, experienced slight breast growth, sex drive and function basically non existent and generally found my better than it's ever been in my life!
My only concern was that ethinyloestradiol cannot be measured in your blood, being able to totally supress my testosterone with only 1 tablet per day is great but whether or not this alone would be enough to achieve the best results!
I know I the best way to get an answer to this would be to visit an Endo, overall though I've been really happy with my GP but just don't feel like I've had a straight answer on this question!

If any of you lovely ladies could provide some insight that would be wonderful!

Thanks Everyone!

[Cindy]

Hi and welcome from Adelaide,

The key many endos look at in the short term is the SHBG ( sex hormone binding globulin), once you are clearing T, E will have the affect.

And most of the Melbourne GPs are clued up!

[kelly_aus]

And most of the Melbourne GPs are clued up!

Handy to know for someone planning a move to Melbourne.

[Dana]

Thanks Cindy:)

Not that I was really doubting my GP (He's Pretty awesome). What I was more curious about though, was hypothetically....

Say Someone was prescribed a dose 2mg of estradiol valerate, and this, (what would be considered to be quite a low dosage) managed to deplete testosterone into the female range. Would this alone be enough to see the expected results of HRT? Or would any changes merely be the result of depleted testosterone?

I could be asking all the wrong questions but I'm actually just really curious!

@kelly_aus
That could totally be another interesting topic!
The 2 clinics that I know of that are quite good with transgendered health are:
Parahn Market clinic in Parahn, and,
North Side Clinic in Fiztroy

I'd be really curious if anyone else knew of any others

[divineintervention]

Sorry to butt in - but is 0.5nmol acceptable? Is that not too low of testosterone?