Need help deciphering Estrogen level test results

[Dora]

I just received my test results for free-testosterone and estrogen levels. My free-testosterone's level is at 10 which I think is better then expected results so the Spiro is working. However, my estrogen level is at 56 which is (if my research information is correct) just a bit higher then the estrogen level of a post menopausal GG (which is 0-31) and I should be in the 200 to 400 range.
                                                              ?!?!?!?
I've been on Climara for 4+ months. I wear the patches and change them weekly as prescribed. I am totally blown away that the estrogen level would be this low. I do see subtle signs of the estrogen (i.e., my breasts hurt) but now I'm thinking that maybe the patches are not the way to go?

Unfortunately, because I live in a rural area, I am with a doctor who has never done HRT with a TS so she is unable to fully understand where my "normal" test results should be at. Any advice would be most appreciated. I need to get this situation corrected ASAP!

Dora


 

[gothique11]

Well, I find that different places have different tests and levels they use.

Here's are some links that might help you:

T-levels:
Free androgen index: http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labcorp/html/chapter/mono/sr021100.htm
There is another one used as well, but I forget what it is called.


E-levels:
This site lists several tests, I believe the Estrogens Total one use a lot.
http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0070255.jsp

I really need to get a copy of my files, because the numbers in these charts look different than what I remember mine to look like. My levels are not typical (not common). My T is 0.5 (pretty much nothing) and E is 1050 (kinda over board for some reason, but we don't know why).

Previously, My T levels hung around 2.5 and E levels around 185, which were considered a good range -- I was on Spiro and Premarin at the time and then I switched to Estrace and my T levels dropped to 0.5 and my E levels went very high up. I hear, however, the estrace is harder to measure through testing and the numbers usually look higher on it. I had a friend who was around 145, went on Estrace (was on horse pee like me), and all of a sudden it was 950.



Posted on: October 01, 2007, 07:03:55 PMI also found this, which has different numbers on it: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0081056.jsp

If you can get a look at your own test results, usually the lab reports which test they use and they usually have a levels chart on it (I know mine does, and I'm pretty sure that it's different even yet!).

[taru]

Take a note of the quantities used measuring things. e.g. nmol/l vs ng/ml etc.

Serum hormone level tests are not a really good indicator of things. iirc spiro does not affect the free-T visible in blood tests.

Do you have postmenopausal symptoms? Dosages cannot really be discussed here, but if your doctor has no experience on things... he may be using the dosages intended for postmenopausal women which are typically different than those used for TS patients.

[Dora]

Thank you Pirate Grrrl and taru. I've gone to the all links posted and have read and archived the info. I have lots of information but not the knowledge to know what (or who) is correct. I am taking the usual dosage prescribed for TS's for patches. (That is if the TS Road Map information is accurate.) Logic tells me I should be okay on both estro and spiro. I'd like to be sure though...

First thing tomorrow I am going to ask to have my results (both the baseline test and the test I got back today) faxed to me so I can have the facts about which tests were run and by what lab. Maybe she is running the wrong tests. Second, I need to find out what tests are normally run and how often. Third, start making phone calls to see if I can find someone who will advise her (and/or  me) on HRT matters.

I was happy to find a doctor in such a remote area to be able to help me but if she can't guide me then her good intentions are meaningless.

Dora

P.S. I know this is a touchy subject here... if you have information or can direct me to someone who would be willing to help via phone (and for a fee, of course) email may be more appropriate. You can contact me using the email icon under my name. Thanks.
 

[Sara]

Do a search for TsDoItYourselfHormones, I am a member of this yahoo group and there is a lot of information for people in the same boat as you.

Sara.

[Dora]

Do a search for TsDoItYourselfHormones, I am a member of this yahoo group and there is a lot of information for people in the same boat as you.

Thank you Sara! As usual, there are hundreds of posts to go through but that is good in that I can cross-verify one post against another. 1st message I pull up about testing for estrogen...

Truthfully having blood hormone test isn't really all that useful in a MtF. Having it done pre HRT to get a base level then maybe once or twice after you start. The only really useful info will be the T levels, to see how well it's being suppressed, the estrogen levels in a MtF vary widely from person to person, there really is no target
level. If you have insurance that will pay for the testing fine if not it's more or less a waste of money. You can't quantify results with levels you can only judge results by dosage, and actual results.

If this information proves to be accurate then I can relax about it.

My doctor and I thank you. 

Dora