Quote from: Julia (Apple-Whatever) on June 10, 2014, 02:41:21 AM
I think that levels can be posted, so I will detail a bit more:
October 2013:T: 66.4 ng/dl E: 85 pg/ml (5 months)
This was taken during the DIY phase before meeting the endo. I upped slightly my E dosage after this, but after meeting the endo he lowered me to what I had been taking since the beggining:
December 2013: T: 715.1 ng/dl E:29 PG/ml (8 months)
Results after two weeks off HRT to create a new baseline. I had an instant reversal. Breasts deflated instantly, erections, libido and full sperm production were restored.
February 2014: T:47.9 ng/Dl E: 123 (9 months)
This was the first test after the new dosage with the endo. Low androcur dose and same E dosage, but with oestrogen gel as a helper. My AA was doubled after this blood test
April 2014: T: 23.0 ng/dl (11 months)
The E reading went missing in the process, but I was happy to see that the T was in the good levels finally. My breast development kickstarted at this point.
May 2014 (official blood test): T: 53.7 ng/dl E: 109 (12 months)
This is what I got yesterday, taken on 05/16. No oestrogen gel (non RX), which apparently gives me a small boost. The Androcur dose was the same.
T is still quite low. Androcur also strongly blocks androgen so even with some T that is detected in blood, part of it is blocked and test cannot tell you how much. Also total T is not accurate as part of that T is bound to SHBG and if you take enough estrogen, especially orally, SHBG will be quite high and much of that total T will be INACTIVE! So, on one hand, Androcur blocks some of that T measured and some of that T measured is inactive. I don't think it's reason for concern. What really counts is how you feel and symptoms and if, as indicated, they suggest increasing androgenization, then either AA needs to be increased, switched, another AA added, or estrogen increased. This should be discussed with a doctor or another one, for a second opinion.
Perhaps the estrogel helped further reduce T so by discontinuing it, it increased slightly?
Quote from: JuliaSo, these where the results:
- I got told that while the T does not go over 80 ng/dL, it's ok. So they are aiming for the minimum values while ensuring "safety", instead of going up for the optimal ranges that should allow change (I did not start noticing considerable changes until my T got in the 20 range. I spent months at 66 with minimal overall development).
So, then you should share this finding with your endo. I think you should focus more on what dose, what combination of hormones produces the best results for YOU. Don't focus so much on numbers which can vary in time, anyways and which aren't accurate for reasons mentioned above.
Quote from: Julia- I consider my E dosage low, but they keep denying my request to increase the
those after 13 months. They even downgraded it..
If current E dose with AA is not producing adequate results (while being realistic about what those results should be given timeframe and other factors), and if doctor refuses to hear you out and make necessary changes, then perhaps you need to see someone else.
Quote from: Julia- They also denied my request for progesterone, saying that they are too little benefits and too many negative effects. Well, I'm off my first cycle (DIY) and I have insomnia again.
They are probably talking about progestins and not bio-identical progesterone whose positive effects and side-effects are quite different. I personally have, so far, benefited from adding progesterone in how it affects my breast growth and my mood especially. Progesterone, contrary to progestins, does not appear to increase breast cancer, has no effect on coagulation, is not androgenic, seems to complement estrogen's vasodilatory actions, reducing blood pressure in some and increasing body temperature, has strong diuretic effect (similar to Spiro) which counters water retention observed with estrogen, especially orally. It has sedative properties, unlike other progestins, so may relax you, have anti-depressive properties, and improve sleep. In some, skin, hair and nail condition are markedly improved. If you read the pamphlet that comes with progesterone, you will notice that those side-effects seen with progesterone exclusively are quite minimal and toxiticity is quite weak when there is overdosage. These are all things that should be discussed with the doctor so they remain well-informed and avoid generalizing side-effects seen with one progestins or several progestins to progesterone.
Quote from: JuliaWe don't even have sublingual oestradiol here.
Oral estradiol can be taken sublingually since the estradiol is always micronized. Progynova, Elleste-Solo, Estrofem, etc. can all be taken sublingually. But, sublingually, there are more ups and downs, more fluctuation that might cause neurological side-effects in some.
