A bit stressed and confused (injections)

[~^FC^~]

I'm just more or less confused at the moment. My endo told me the cost of all 3 meds I would be taking (including injections) would run anywhere from $60 to $180 a month depending on the quality/brand/type of the medications. I told him to go on the cheaper end, for now. I've been taking spiro and norethindrone for about a week and a half now, and together those cost about $65 a month (~$8 for spiro and ~$57 for the norethindrone after insurance at Walmart). He told me they mail order the injections because it's cheaper (and they put in the order), but after getting all the stuff figured out with the pharmacy (compounding pharmacy up in Maine, I think) the injection price came to $130, which, to me, seems high considering the concentration and comparing online.

Maybe I just didn't ask the right question on the strength or amount or whatever, but I'm calling my endo on Monday to figure things out. I'm just worried if being on just the spiro and norethindrone longer without the e-injection should be something to worry about (I'm just on the start of the HRT train). Oh, and for good measure, I'm in Florida and have United Health Care Choice Plus (dependent under my father, who is helping me pay for everything for the moment until I get my own income and the insurance runs out).

Just a little stressed and worried right now.

~^FC^~

[Sydney_NYC]

Injections are more expensive, but they often last longer. Without insurance mine would cost $110 (Delestrogen, but compound pharmacy would be much less) for 10 weeks worth. Fortunately I only have to pay $12 of that. Whereas a 30 day supply of E without insurance would cost $42, but again with insurance, it's only $12, so in that case, yes it is definitely cheaper. It just all depends.

[KayXo]

I've been taking spiro and norethindrone for about a week and a half now

Norethindrone is a progestin that can have beneficial effects on breast growth, fat distribution due to progestogen effect, can help further reduce T (and DHT) levels BUT also has significant ANDROGENIC effects (partial to full agonist to androgen receptors), triggering androgen receptors. The last effect may be detrimental to you. I'd think a progestogen without androgenic effects (progesterone, dydrogesterone, hydroxyprogesterone caproate), combined with injectable estrogen and spironolactone would achieve the same results and would avoid the undesirable effects associated with norethindrone. You could perhaps discuss this issue with your doctor. I just wanted to let you know of this in case you were unaware.

There are other compounding pharmacies in the US. They may be able to prepare you E at a more affordable price. If you want, you can PM me for a list of these pharmacies.

[~^FC^~]

Norethindrone is a progestin that can have beneficial effects on breast growth, fat distribution due to progestogen effect, can help further reduce T (and DHT) levels BUT also has significant ANDROGENIC effects (partial to full agonist to androgen receptors), triggering androgen receptors. The last effect may be detrimental to you. I'd think a progestogen without androgenic effects (progesterone, dydrogesterone, hydroxyprogesterone caproate), combined with injectable estrogen and spironolactone would achieve the same results and would avoid the undesirable effects associated with norethindrone. You could perhaps discuss this issue with your doctor. I just wanted to let you know of this in case you were unaware.

There are other compounding pharmacies in the US. They may be able to prepare you E at a more affordable price. If you want, you can PM me for a list of these pharmacies.

Don't think I can PM yet so I'll quote. I will probably bring up about using something other than norethindrone (like progesterone) at the next meeting. I was aware of those effects after looking them up when I got the prescription. I've looked at a couple other compounding pharmacies (the one that seems most mentioned from what I saw was Stroheckers), but I would definitely love to see a list of pharmacies. As I said though, maybe it was a misunderstanding with the pharmacy or whatnot. They said it was a 28-day supply but it might actually be much longer than that, so I'm calling the endo office on Monday to clarify some things. If I can get it cheaper elsewhere though I'd rather do that (depending of course on reputation, etc.).

[KayXo]

Endocrine Reviews, April 2013, 34(2):171–208

"some of the older-generation progestins such as MPA,norethindrone acetate, norethindrone, and levonorgestrel, which bind with relatively high affinity to the AR, have been reported to act as agonists or partial agonists in some contexts"

MPA=medroxyprogesterone acetate
AR=androgen receptor

[~^FC^~]

Yes, thank you for the info. I know it's one of the first generations of progestin and the effects it can have. Will discuss with endo when I meet with them next. As for the injections, it turns out it's actually a 3 month supply, so I'm okay with that for now. I was just confused because the pharmacy said it was 1 month so I called up the endo office and asked the nurse about it. Made sure the amount and concentration were correct with the pharmacy, and everything is squared away. Should arrive on Friday.

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