HRT... Three Months In

[allisonsteph]

I had my three month check in with my doctor that is managing my HRT yesterday. Kidney functions, liver functions, sodium, potassium, and cholesterol were all excellent. Tetestorone level is lower than cis male, but higher than cis female and substantially lower than it was when I began three months ago. Estrogen is in the ovulation stage level. Blood Pressure was 97/64 (down from 115/73 in February) and I weigh exactly the same as I did the day he prescribed my hormones. All in all things are going well. The doctor was pleased with my results thus far and has opted to keep my dosages the same for now and will do the blood work again in another three months.

I am happy with the results that I have seen. I have lost six inches in the waist and gained four inches in the hips. I've started developing breasts and am between a 38B and 38C. Despite what can be ascertained from some of my recent posts, I am happier and more stable than I have ever been. I have ups and downs for sure, but for the first time since my first puberty I have feelings and emotions. I have gone from drinking 8-10 drinks a night before I began to 2-3 a month at most. I know that I have a long road ahead of me yet, but all things considered for the first time in my life I feel like I am headed in the right direction.

[Sincerely Tegan]

Happy estro-versary!

[Ms Grace]

Congrats, sounds like things are going great!

Tetestorone level is higher than cis male, but lower than cis female and substantially lower than it was when I began three months ago.

Did you maybe mean higher than cis female, lower than cis male...?

[allisonsteph]

Congrats, sounds like things are going great!

Did you maybe mean higher than cis female, lower than cis male...?

Wow, you're fast. I caught that twenty seconds after I posted it but you beat me to it 

I fixed it.

[Ms Grace]

No worries - I thought a T level higher than cis men might've maybe been an unusual result after three months on  M2F HRT!

[allisonsteph]

Tetestorone level is lower than cis male, but higher than cis female and substantially lower than it was when I began three months ago. Estrogen is in the ovulation stage level.

[Jessika Lin]

I am happy with the results that I have seen. I have lost six inches in the waist and gained four inches in the hips. I've started developing breasts and am between a 38B and 38C.

I'm hoping things go so well for me, especially (that part)^

[KayXo]

Testosterone levels seem still high.

Estradiol at 138 pg/ml is not really within the range of ovulation/mid cycle levels. More typical of luteal and follicular phases.

Am J Med. 1995 Aug;99(2):119-22.
Estrogen acutely increases peripheral blood flow in postmenopausal women.

"normal postmenopausal plasma concentration less than 200 pmol/L (less than 54 pg/ml); normal premenopausal physiologic ranges: luteal 368 to 1,100 pmol/L (100 – 300 pg/ml), midcycle 785 to 1,840 pmol/L (214 – 501 pg/ml), follicular 74 to 368 pmol/L (20 – 100 pg/ml) for estradiol"

Maturitas. 2005 Apr 11;50(4):266-74.
Acute administration of 17beta-estradiol improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in postmenopausal women.

"Normal concentrations obtained via a fluorometric method, vary with the phase of the woman's menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, they range from 35 to 184 pg/mL; during the ovulatory phase, from 191 to 540 pg/mL; and during the luteal phase, from 40 to 228 pg/mL; at menopause, the 17β-estradiol level decreases to about 35 pg/mL. »

[allisonsteph]

Testosterone levels seem still high.

They are still high, but heading in the right direction. Given the fact that I was a cigarette smoker for 33 years and have battled with alcohol abuse my entire life, my doctor feels that taking a conservative approach with dosages is a medically sound approach and is pleased with the numbers I have reached in the given time period. I will have my blood work done again in another three months and we will revise dosages as necessary then.

I'm 45 years old and have had post-pubescent male levels of testosterone flowing through my body for more than three decades. Expecting to be in a cis female hormonal range after only three months seems unreasonable and perhaps even dangerous from a medical standpoint to me. This is a long journey, not a sprint to the finish.

[KayXo]

It's not clear whether you still smoke or not but if you do, know that it interferes with estradiol absorption IF TAKEN ORALLY. Smoking will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce estradiol concentrations in the blood. Studies have shown this, I have one of them, the entire study, showing the levels were 1/5th of what they were in women who didn't smoke. But, only in those taking estradiol orally. On patches, there was no difference.

I think the important thing is that you feel good. Numbers matter less than your well-being. I personally don't see any danger in testosterone levels dropping significantly so long as there is enough estrogen in the mix. Several transwomen, young and old, have experienced this, countless times, without complications. But, as always, your doctor knows best so he/she will know what to do, you seem to be in good spirits and like I said, that's really the most important thing. Do things also at your own pace. To each their own.

[AnneB]

Happy estro-versary!

*giggles*

And Allison, congrats on your Estro-versary    I'm really happy for you getting things under control, and taking care of yourself.  You are right, it isn't a sprint, its a long leisurely drive thru the country on a Sunday afternoon, with the top down, sun streaming in, wind blowing thru your hair, bug stains on the teeth,  ..  LOL..   And that's -the- top down, not -your- top down..   

Go at your own pace, don't sweat the numbers.  If your Endo is pleased, you, and she/he are the ones that matter in your progress.  Hugs!

Paula

[allisonsteph]

It's not clear whether you still smoke or not but if you do, know that it interferes with estradiol absorption IF TAKEN ORALLY. Smoking will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce estradiol concentrations in the blood. Studies have shown this, I have one of them, the entire study, showing the levels were 1/5th of what they were in women who didn't smoke. But, only in those taking estradiol orally. On patches, there was no difference.

I think the important thing is that you feel good. Numbers matter less than your well-being. I personally don't see any danger in testosterone levels dropping significantly so long as there is enough estrogen in the  mix. Several transwomen, young and old, have experienced this, countless of times, without complications. But, as always, your doctor knows best so he/she will know what to do, you seem to be in good spirits and like I said, that's really the most important thing. Do things also at your own pace. To each their own.

Today marks three months since my last cigarette. I quit the day I started taking Estrogen. I am more concerned with the blood clot and stroke risk than I am with reduced absorption. The thought that I could die before I finish the cigarette is one hell of a motivational tool.

[goodness]

I am breathless. Thanks for sharing.

[KayXo]

Today marks three months since my last cigarette. I quit the day I started taking Estrogen. I am more concerned with the blood clot and stroke risk than I am with reduced absorption. The thought that I could die before I finish the cigarette is one hell of a motivational tool.

I also quit the day I started taking E. Congrats!