is there something wrong with me?

[ChloeSnow]

So I've been on HRT 10 or 10 1/2 months now. I'm pretty sure it's not doing much. I'm 31, I started at 30. Doc said I was perfect for it, but she had me on super low doses for like 5 or 6 months. So what's the deal? Here are before and after pics. before: After: Most recent (about a week ago):

Can anyone tell me help me here?

[LizMarie]

Your most recent looks very feminine to me.

Changes we get are going to be slow and small and cumulative. We have to be patient, or we have to choose FFS.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

The reason for low dosages and a slow start is simple.

If you rush high levels of E into the male body instantly it can cause cancer cells to develop in your breasts due to body confusion, your kidneys and liver would be put into major stress from the High levels of spiro this could lead to their failure and your death. Also HRT doesn't only lower your T it also lowers other crucial chemicals in your body which are monitored to make sure your body can handle the drugs.

There is one thing HRT is always and that is slow because you dying for faster results isn't a option the doc will consider.

Note: If you quote me and try fight on the breast cancer I wont reply as I am just giving a brief worst case scenario to explain the process.

[ChloeSnow]

no honey I'm not going to try to fight you on any of it. This isn't a "help me circumvent my doctor" post. This is about me and how I look. It's about my appearance and body and me being curious if it's within normal to take this long, since everyone I've seen seems to get a lot more results by now. That being said this is as much about that as it is about my own emotions and how that makes me feel. I'm not the type to circumvent my doctor. I'll go to another doctor, and see if she or he agrees, but if they do I have to accept what they are telling me. If not though, I do have to consider that doctor was conning me. I'm actually talking to friends now and I think I may have selected 1 or maybe 2 doctors for 2nd opinions. 1 to see if they agree, and a 2nd to make a "majority vote" should one of them disagree with my original doctor. Anyhow, thank you for your opinion on my pictures

[LilDevilOfPrada]

no honey I'm not going to try to fight you on any of it. This isn't a "help me circumvent my doctor" post. This is about me and how I look. It's about my appearance and body and me being curious if it's within normal to take this long, since everyone I've seen seems to get a lot more results by now. That being said this is as much about that as it is about my own emotions and how that makes me feel. I'm not the type to circumvent my doctor. I'll go to another doctor, and see if she or he agrees, but if they do I have to accept what they are telling me. If not though, I do have to consider that doctor was conning me. I'm actually talking to friends now and I think I may have selected 1 or maybe 2 doctors for 2nd opinions. 1 to see if they agree, and a 2nd to make a "majority vote" should one of them disagree with my original doctor. Anyhow, thank you for your opinion on my pictures

Its  person dependent, I started at 17 yes that early and I don't look great good or even passable. I am saying let your HRT take its time then see, Also many girls have done ffs to obtain their beauty with the lucky few not needing two.

The last thing you should ever do is base your changes to some else because we are all different and it may lead to unneeded heart ache.

Your results are normal trust me when I say HRT is no magic pill but rather a slow drug that does what it can. It took me 3 years for fat to finally be sent to my butt that should tell you how slow hRT can be.

[ImagineKate]

I think you're doing fine really, to be honest.

[TSJasmine]

There is definitely nothing wrong with you. You've been on low doses & you do look more feminine in the latest photo. That's for sure. Your skin even looks female. Just remember that you started closer to the end of hormone effectiveness in terms of age & you're still seeing some changes so that means something. I had a friend who started at 25 & she was passable at 3 years & keeps on seeing changes still. They're going to take time fore everyone! I say just keep at them & give them time. You're fine & you look great!

[Daisy Jane]

There is definitely nothing wrong with you. You've been on low doses & you do look more feminine in the latest photo. That's for sure. Your skin even looks female. Just remember that you started closer to the end of hormone effectiveness in terms of age & you're still seeing some changes so that means something. I had a friend who started at 25 & she was passable at 3 years & keeps on seeing changes still. They're going to take time fore everyone! I say just keep at them & give them time. You're fine & you look great!

What do you mean? I understand that by then skeletal issues like shoulder, hips, and jaw will be set, but are you saying there would be other problems as well?

[aylaliara]

The reason for low dosages and a slow start is simple.

If you rush high levels of E into the male body instantly it can cause cancer cells to develop in your breasts due to body confusion, your kidneys and liver would be put into major stress from the High levels of spiro this could lead to their failure and your death. Also HRT doesn't only lower your T it also lowers other crucial chemicals in your body which are monitored to make sure your body can handle the drugs.

I will quote you only because my doctor starts everyone on a pretty high dose to see how much impact it makes before lowering dosage, slowly going down each time before it's in the right range. Considering he's worldwide renowned, I'd find it odd for him to do such a thing if it was not safe. Strange.

What do you mean? I understand that by then skeletal issues like shoulder, hips, and jaw will be set, but are you saying there would be other problems as well?

The closer to puberty you are, the better the results. Technically 23 is probably the cut off for getting the best results in a 'strike while the iron is still hot' way. But everyone is different. People who have transitioned at 25 or 27 or later have matched the results of those who started earlier.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

I will quote you only because my doctor starts everyone on a pretty high dose to see how much impact it makes before lowering dosage, slowly going down each time before it's in the right range. Considering he's worldwide renowned, I'd find it odd for him to do such a thing if it was not safe. Strange.

I think the better word is unique as the standard is the reverse but really I won't try play doctor I am just spitting out what doctors have told me.

[TSJasmine]

What do you mean? I understand that by then skeletal issues like shoulder, hips, and jaw will be set, but are you saying there would be other problems as well?

Ummm...? Way to completely take what I said & twist it :p I'm trying to be nice here . It's exactly way Aylaliara (sp?) said. The closer to puberty the better. It's like this, someone who starts at 18 will see better & usually more dramatic changes than someone who starts at 21 but someone who starts at 30 as opposed to 40, there won't be a significant change in the amount of changes because at that point their body has been given testosterone for over a decade & a half. I guess the effectiveness after puberty dramatically declines as the years go by. Ideally, someone should start at the onset of (or as close to) puberty as possible. Although you must always remember, YMMV .

[Daisy Jane]

Ummm...? Way to completely take what I said & twist it :p I'm trying to be nice here . It's exactly way Aylaliara (sp?) said. The closer to puberty the better. It's like this, someone who starts at 18 will see better & usually more dramatic changes than someone who starts at 21 but someone who starts at 30 as opposed to 40, there won't be a significant change in the amount of changes because at that point their body has been given testosterone for over a decade & a half. I guess the effectiveness after puberty dramatically declines as the years go by. Ideally, someone should start at the onset of (or as close to) puberty as possible. Although you must always remember, YMMV .

No twisting of words here. I don't even know how what I said might be interpreted that way. I was just trying to get a more clear sense of what you are saying. I'm over 30 and haven't even started therapy, so I'm often looking for more information. That's all. I've accepted that I'll be the girl with the broad shoulders and no hips. I'm a little disappointed but I've decided that it's better to figure it out late rather than never.

[JLT1]

Hi,

I'm over 50. I'm still changing.  It just takes time.  For the length of time you have been on higher dose HRT, you are doing fine.

As far as HRT regimens...most doctors start low and ramp the dose up over few months.  I have heard of the start the dose very high and then lower it down. The first way is safe but slow while the second way is faster, there is greater risk.  In the end, after a few years, one ends up at about the same point.  Then, after SRS or at least testicle removal, changes start again.

You are getting there......

Hugs,

Jen

[Laurette Mohr]

Rome wasn't built in a day.