Stopping hrt after 20 years?

[Jill F]

Let's keep it civil, folks.  This is a support site.  Staff are to be held to an even higher standard.   

5. The posting of messages on the chat or forums which are of a threatening tone; intended solely to communicate sarcasm, contempt, or derision; are intended to belittle or ridicule a person or group; to disgust the viewer; contain obscene or pornographic materials; which are intended to titillate; or which depicts/promotes illegal acts; will not be permitted.

[KayXo]

Talk to your doctor about estrogen cream. 

I read from studies that creams absorb poorly and give very low blood levels.

[kelly_aus]

This is true Kelly, even cis women have a little amount of testosterone.. but in my own case.. a little testosterone can ruin my body.. ( hair growth..acne and other things..) because I'm very sensitive with this terrorific hormone 

It's actually not possible to completely suppress T anyway.. Not without removing both testicles and both adrenal glands and bilateral adrenalectomies are almost unheard of.

Hair growth and acne both have causes other than a higher T level, just saying.. T levels that are also too low can be a cause in some people.

[Ian68]

Ultimately, you'll be best-served by consulting with your physician, discussing your concerns, and making an informed decision with your healthcare provider.  No one here is truly qualified to advise you in what is best for your health.  That said, you can still take away much of the input received.  Things to ask your doctor about, just from this board, include testosterone supplements, other thyroid medications, and also iron and vitamin D.  If you feel that depression is a big part of it, you might also meet with a counselor, and discuss these feelings. 

Just take care of yourself, and don't try to make rushed decisions. Cheers!

[JLT1]

I read from studies that creams absorb poorly and give very low blood levels.

Creams can be quite effective....IF you put it on the correct place and let it dry before you start brushing against it with other body parts or clothing.   Also, not all creams are good in this application.   However,  I also recommend double normal menopose dosage so it should be fine. 

My thoughts were to get away from pills (liver and adsorption issues) and the highly variable levels that injections can have.  Sublingual can work if the pharmacist is competent. ...

Jen

[Danielle11746]

Thank you everyone for your feedback.  For me hormones have been the strongest factor in my transformation, even stronger then any surgery I have had.  It takes many years to see the results but they have transformed me.  I pass with flying colors, so what I did worked.  I will be seeking an endo as to what I should be on at this stage in my life, 38 years old with 20 years of hrt. 

[KayXo]

the highly variable levels that injections can have.

I do quite well on injections and so do many girls.

[JLT1]

[quote au thor =Kay Xo link=topic=187636.msg1669467# msg1669467 date=30397832]
I do quite well on injections and so do many girls.
[/quote]

Agreed, they can be extremely effective.   For some, LTL as an example, the levels can change quite drastically between injections.  I use estradiol gel and have good results but isn't for every one.  It would be a change for OP and could help her.  Long term,  probably back to injections of a different form of E.

Jen

[Danielle11746]

I feel injections are truly the best for feminization.  They are the strongest.  When I started hrt I did a very high dose once a week, so high it was dangerous.  At 18 years old in 1994 resources were slim.  I heard word of mouth about a pharmacist located in the Bronx who sold hormones to "the girls" over the counter with no perscription.  I went to this pharmacy once a month in the early years.

Many years later I find injections to be too strong and not good for simple upkeep.  When I do it makes me nauseous and the following day I tend to feel like crap


Mod edit:
DIY is dangerous and against TOS 8 B

8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:

    A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
    B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
    C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.

[KayXo]

I feel injections are truly the best for feminization.  They are the strongest.  When I started hrt I did a very high dose once a week, so high it was dangerous.

Why do you deem it was dangerous? Dangerous how? Based on what? Actual science, studies that verified/confirmed this or just speculation? Your own blood tests or physical symptoms? Did you take estradiol valerate? Did injections contain a progestogen?

Just a curious enquirer...

[Danielle11746]

Kay,

It was the amount I was taking in the injections, along with a very high dose of Premarin daily.  I was taking too much, but it worked.

[KayXo]

Has there been any verified (studies) association between high dose injectable bio-identical estradiol (if that is what you were taking) and health risks? As far as I know, pregnant women can experience levels as high as 75,000 pg/ml that extremely high doses would still not be able to yield and pregnant women are not dying left and right, their DVT risk stands at 0.05-0.2%.

Premarin is another story because it is not native to the body, is taken orally and has been shown to significantly raise DVT risk, especially at higher doses.

[Randi]

I think the Women's Health Study, which alleged that HRT was dangerous, would have had very different results if they had used bio-identical estradiol and micronized progesterone.  Premarin (CEE) is not estradiol and MPA is not progesterone.  This study was a setback for people who need HRT.  In essence, I agree with Kay, but also with Mary Poppins who said: "enough is as good as a feast".

--
The intervention phase was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) x.xxx mg daily plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) x.x mg daily, in 16 608 women aged 50 through 79 years, recruited by 40 centers from 1993 to 1998. The postintervention phase commenced July 8, 2002, and included 15 730 women.
__

Has there been any verified (studies) association between high dose injectable bio-identical estradiol (if that is what you were taking) and health risks? As far as I know, pregnant women can experience levels as high as 75,000 pg/ml that extremely high doses would still not be able to yield and pregnant women are not dying left and right, their DVT risk stands at 0.05-0.2%.

Premarin is another story because it is not native to the body, is taken orally and has been shown to significantly raise DVT risk, especially at higher doses.

[Wynternight]

Hmm. My T level was 12 as of last month's bloodwork. Maybe I should consider cutting my spiro dose down some.