Low dose HRT discussion

[Emily R]

That is great Melanie,

I am glad you are feeling so much better and anger and the depression has gone away!  The changes to the skin and hair is only the beginning,  you will have more changes coming as you just started.

Emily

[PennyW]

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

10 days! I decided to have a bit of a trial and self-medicate for 10 days. (I know - bad idea - save the lecture)
The drive and need to go ahead got too great and I couldn't hold off any longer. I chose low dose because my wife isn't very accepting, plus that's what was available.

I finished the last dose two days ago and now it's all worn off again. Oddly enough the drive to transition hasn't come back to a huge degree yet, but it's building.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

A lot! I felt better. More in touch with my feminine side, generally happier, warmer, more connected with people, more empathic. This did come with a downside however - emotions became a lot stronger and I had a major propensity towards crying about things. For the last two days I felt pretty low because of the essential conflict between wanting to run with the drive to transition and the potential unhappiness caused to my wife.

Now that it's worn off again I feel more man than I have in months - I think today I'll go do some DIY stuff, and play some computer games where you run around shoot things.

Look maybe this is all psychological / placebo kinda stuff, but I think there's an essence of truth there.

I definitely prefer the other side, but it's not all upside. Hopefully I can get to grips with the crying if and when I do that again.


3. Changes with low dose.

I smelt different almost immediately (wife noticed). Some breast tenderness. Maybe some skin softness / oil reduction?

4. If changed to transitioning dose, explain reasons for change as well as length on low dose before change in dose.

Not applicable.

5. Other thoughts.

I'd like to go official and go on low dose. I suspect I'll be one of those people who responds with big changes even at very low dose however so it will require a careful weighing up of my life circumstance.

In my current environment I don't think transitioning fully is something I can do quite yet, but I'm hoping that will change.

[DanaDane]

I thought I was on a low dose to start. 

Thought. 

I started HRT ON 4/20.  My bloodwork before reflected these levels.

T - 415 ng/dl E - <20 pg/mL

Bloodwork done on 6/15

T - 9.8 ng/dl E - 80 pg/mL

Needless to say I am stunned.  I see changes to my body but not my face.  My next Dr. Appt is on 6/24.  Curious to hear what the doctor will say.   I honestly thought that she put me on a low dose to start. 

[Jenna Marie]

Dana : You might have been, and are just lucky enough to respond really well to a low dose. ("Lucky" because the lower the dose, the less the associated risks will be.) I was and am on a dose low enough that I've seen other trans people cite it as "too low to make a difference," and yet I've had fantastic results; some bodies just respond better to E than others.

[DanaDane]

Dana : You might have been, and are just lucky enough to respond really well to a low dose. ("Lucky" because the lower the dose, the less the associated risks will be.) I was and am on a dose low enough that I've seen other trans people cite it as "too low to make a difference," and yet I've had fantastic results; some bodies just respond better to E than others.

I guess that's true.  If you wanna PM me we can discuss our versions of low dose

[ashley_thomas]

My test results are very similar on LD too


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[Melanie CT]

Here's my one month update. I'm on a low does of just estrogen.

So far there are not dramatic changes. I love the change to my mood. I know longer go to sleep every night wishing God will take me and my stress level is way down. I find I am more affective at work since my mood is so much better.

My facial hair grows I slower which I love!  It seems like my body hair is thinner or at least I think it is.  My fascial features re softening but not dramatically. I have no breaks growth.

Things are going slow like I wanted but in the back of my mind I wish there were more changes but tat this point in my life I am ok.  The biggest reason I went on estrogen was to improve my mood and thoughts and its mission accomplished for that.

I go pickup my refill in a few minutes. We'll see how things go.
Melanie


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[Emily R]

Melanie,

Here is my 2 months update a few days late, as the two months anniversary was on June 27.

I too am in a low dose of estrogen via tablet with no  spiro but taking avodart for the prostrate.

I have notice, if this is possible, that my body has gotten used to the estrogen, as the stress has come back somewhat and I am not sleeping as well as I did during the first 6 weeks. I noticed some new black hairs in my beard, and they must be new as all I had left after the laser were the gray hairs. Also my breasts have return to normal and not even a tshirt rubbing causes any sensations, were as on the second week I woke up in the middle of the night with like pins and needles on one of my breast!

I will have some blood work done in a week or so to take to my endo appointment on July 27, and we will know how I am reacting to this low dose. I believe that the endo was going to start prescribing spiro in addition to the same dosage of estrogen, but depending upon the test result i guess she may increase the dosage?


Has anyone else has experience building resistance to the Estrogen?  Is this normal?

Hugs,

Emily

[KayXo]

Has anyone else has experience building resistance to the Estrogen?  Is this normal?

Only if estrogen levels remain TOO constant over time. Some fluctuation is needed, perhaps, to overcome desensitization. Remember too that tests do measure your levels of estradiol but NOT your sensitivity to them so tests can only provide so much information. Hopefully, your doctor will know what to do and provide an explanation.

[islandgirl]

I think I am a little to early on to experience any sign of resistance. I will be meeting my endo next week for my six month check. I have been on spiro for six months, E for three and dutaseride for about a moth. I am very curious about my levels. I am looking for an increase in E, but will wait to seem what my doctor has to say.

Effects for far:
- softening of skin
- body and facial hair growth has slowed down. Days between shaving have increased.
- I have noticed some regrowth on my head (MPB) just a little!
- softening or change in facial features.
- my ability to handle stress, just moved, seems to be not as good. I am all over the place.
- no sign of breast development. I have, at times, felt a pain in my breasts, but never consistent and may be wishful thinking.

I went into the this slow transition by choice. I am rethinking this at this point. At least the rate. I am wanting to speed things up a bit. On another note, came out to two more friends yesterday. Old running mates. They were both very supportive.

[ashley_thomas]

If the little blue pill works even in low doses the urge to increase will be hard to hold back.  I've increased once (still on LD) and expect to go to full transition dose before year end.


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[Stochastic]

I love the change to my mood. I know longer go to sleep every night wishing God will take me and my stress level is way down. I find I am more affective at work since my mood is so much better.

Yes to all of this although my mood benefits have attenuated some. It is not perfect as dysphoria is still present and makes some days difficult. Overall, being functional is a big improvement over dysfunctional.

[Melanie CT]

Stochastic
Very well said.  I still have dysphoria and fully agree with you I am functional. I'm glad you commented. I don't want to make it sound like everything is fixed.
Thank you
Melanie


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[islandgirl]

Had my endo appointment yesterday. All is going well. As I expected my E was upped a little. Excited to see what happens over the next 3 months (next appointment)!

It may be wishful thinking, but I believe that I see more hair growth in my MPB areas!

[Claraaa]

IslandGirl,  sounds like good news and I am happy for you!  I am wondering about your long term goals in relation to being on a low dose.   What I mean is... are you planning on full transition and for whatever reasons you are on a low dose but over time you will continue to increase your "E"?   Or are you changing dose for some other reason/objective?

I am only on Spiro at the moment and considering a low dose of " E" for the same reason,  to see if it helps with the dysphoria.

Thanks,
Clara

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[islandgirl]

Hi Clara! I have chosen to work slowly in my transition. This works better with my relationship and I have not come out to more than a handful of people. My goal is to continue to be physically the woman that I am but will be patient, as best I can, for the sake of my wife. She is working as hard to adjust as I am.

As far as dosage, I started with just spiro and added E 3 months in. Added dutaseride one month later. I think that I will be on my current level for a while. We will see!

[Claraaa]

Thanks IslandGirl.   I have a similar needs around relationships and hearing your choices is helpful.

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[teddybear_zach]

1. How long have you been on low dose and reasons for choosing low dose.

I've been on low dose for 8 months now. I didnt choose to do it, my doctor did it because I have high blood pressure and T impacts that.

2. Describe to what extent low dose has helped with dysphoria.

Not applicable due to the fact that I have no dysphoria.

3. Changes with low dose.

Deeper voice, moderate facial hair, substantial downstairs growth

4. If changed to transitioning dose, explain reasons for change as well as length on low dose before change in dose.

I won't be changed to a higher dose until 07/14, my doctor feels like the higher dose won't impact my blood pressure since the cardiologist he selected will be partnering with him to monitor me.

5. Other thoughts.

[ashley_thomas]

Thanks IslandGirl.   I have a similar needs around relationships and hearing your choices is helpful.

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I did too and I can say that the passage of time while keeping the relationship in tact is one of the most important aspects of a successful mixed orientation marriage - I'm about to fully transition but it's been close to two years since I started spiro and over one year since E and I'm still low dose.

For now we are extremely happy and I can say that's been the norm for a few months now.  It's totally doable but LD a was probably one of the real critical factors for our success.

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[islandgirl]

Thanks for that, Ashley! I sometimes get really stressed about how my wife is doing. Still a real roller coaster. More good than bad times. Relationship - more Best Friends and Soul Mates. Right now I can deal with this. I know that if I could, I would go to Montreal tomorrow. I also know that I am happy with who I am and my partner is more and more accepting of the woman I am becoming. Like most things in life, patience is the key. I will continue to go what I can and enjoy the moments. Each day I move a little closer to when I will be "out".