Hormone Help

[llerret]

So I'm a bit confused and wanted to know if anyone could explain what is going on. I have been on HRT for almost 10 months (will be 10 months next week). I was taking estradiol sublingually for the first 3 months of my regimen and then had it upped  from month 3-6. I have been on  spiro from the beginning to now. At 6 months, I switched from pills to intramuscular injections. I was placed on a regimen of my dosage every other week. Since I've been on injections, I have noticed less changes in my body and my breasts have seemed to have completely stopped growing like they were. I don't even feel the nipple pain anymore. I didn't think much of it because I wanted to just take my transition slowly and carefully and live my life but at 10 months, I got my estradiol levels checked again and my doctor and I were puzzled. We thought that I was seeing fewer changes due to the fact that maybe I was on too low of a dose of estrogen but the labs showed that my estradiol level was around 156 which isn't bad at all. It could be higher by a bit but where it is seemed fine. My doctor plans to consult someone more experienced than her to figure out how to alter my HRT regimen so that not only are my serum levels correct but the physicality's start to present themselves as well because at the level that I am, I should be more progressed. Can someone help explain this in any way or shed some light on what is probably going on with me? I would greatly appreciate some clarity and insight.

*mod edit for dosages

[llerret]

Dosages! O.O
Not allowed I don't think

Okay so now that I edited it, would you like to add any advice or no?.....

[mrs izzy]

Every doctor seems to have there own idea of E levels,
My doctor wants mine around the 400 mark.

That could be the reason?

[Seras]

Yea, my doc is happy with mine at 450. I am on a constant supply though since I am on patch. I presume yours goes up and down quite a lot what with it being an injection.

[liz]

If your rates haven't changed on bloodwork maybe your body don't react as good to the "spike" that injection cause. I have 2 friends who switched back to pills because their changes has stopped on injections, while another had to go to injection to experience her first changes.

If your rates has changed on bloodworks you dosages may not be good.

Every doctor seems to have there own idea of E levels,
My doctor wants mine around the 400 mark.

That could be the reason?

You're damn right, they are the almighty doctors with almighty answers. As we're not some machine there is no "one size fit all". Mine want me at 420-460 because under 420 I have pretty bad side effects.

[23 Skidoo]

In regards to noticing physical changes, it could just be the initial burst of changes has subsidized and has become more gradual now. For example, to focus specifically on nipple pain you mentioned, I've taken E sublingually for the past 7 months, the dose has been upped twice during that time, last time around 3 weeks ago. The pain that use to be present under my areola is now less prevalent than it was a few months ago at half the dose.

[Lady_Oracle]

I'm only about 5 months away from my 3 year mark and the changes after the first 6 months became gradual for me, especially breast growth. I'm just now reaching the final stages of breast growth and it seems to have slowed again after I had another small burst of growth. Anyways what I'm trying to say is that since you're at 10 months that the rate you develop now is gonna slow down because a lot of the initial changes that happen fast are done mostly, like softer skin, the first breast buds and so on. Body fat redistribution takes the longest too.

To add, your e levels are fine imo if they're above 120 or so since estrogen works gradually throughout time. Higher levels doesn't necessary mean faster feminization cause there's only so much your body can handle at once. Now if you're feeling off mentally then that's a different story cause some people do feel better at a higher level. As long as your T is being blocked properly, I wouldn't worry too much. I experienced a spike in my T levels and that's what really messes with your feminization plus it screws up your mental state really badly.

[llerret]

In regards to noticing physical changes, it could just be the initial burst of changes has subsidized and has become more gradual now. For example, to focus specifically on nipple pain you mentioned, I've taken E sublingually for the past 7 months, the dose has been upped twice during that time, last time around 3 weeks ago. The pain that use to be present under my areola is now less prevalent than it was a few months ago at half the dose.

I totally agree. Maybe I need to just relax and keep going lol

[llerret]

I'm only about 5 months away from my 3 year mark and the changes after the first 6 months became gradual for me, especially breast growth. I'm just now reaching the final stages of breast growth and it seems to have slowed again after I had another small burst of growth. Anyways what I'm trying to say is that since you're at 10 months that the rate you develop now is gonna slow down because a lot of the initial changes that happen fast are done mostly, like softer skin, the first breast buds and so on. Body fat redistribution takes the longest too.

To add, your e levels are fine imo if they're above 120 or so since estrogen works gradually throughout time. Higher levels doesn't necessary mean faster feminization cause there's only so much your body can handle at once. Now if you're feeling off mentally then that's a different story cause some people do feel better at a higher level. As long as your T is being blocked properly, I wouldn't worry too much. I experienced a spike in my T levels and that's what really messes with your feminization plus it screws up your mental state really badly.

You make so much sense. Like I have been noticing tiny things about my body as of late like my ribcage area is not as thick and my butt seems to have gotten smaller but my hips are clearly larger and I can clearly see the hourglass coming in. I also have gained 20 pounds but look and feel smaller. Must be due to muscle loss and fat redistribution. So maybe I need to just stay on the dose I am and keep it moving. I mean I am happy with my transition so far for 10 months

[Christine Eryn]

I'll put it to you this way... when I first started HRT I was on injections and patches, a combination I hated. I did injections once a week, and felt the patches were too much trouble and weren't effective. A few years later I found another doctor and switched to low doses of E & Spiro, a combo I do love. This was a daily thing and has been for years. Of course, everyone is different and certain things work and others don't, but daily is the way to go for me.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

I'll put it to you this way... when I first started HRT I was on injections and patches, a combination I hated. I did injections once a week, and felt the patches were too much trouble and weren't effective. A few years later I found another doctor and switched to low doses of E & Spiro, a combo I do love. This was a daily thing and has been for years. Of course, everyone is different and certain things work and others don't, but daily is the way to go for me.

I also found pills most effective however in terms of T blocking the implant is the most effective solution however costs an arm and a leg if you don't live in the uk.