Beginning my transition MtF with HRT

shoko · January 01, 2016, 01:33:35 PM

Happy New Year everyone!!

Thanks to your support and help, I've begun my transition today. I'm so excited to finally start my life~!

I'm on sublingual estradiol, progesterone, spironolactone and finasteride, but I plan to phase them in in that order. Maybe I'll start the progesterone tonight, too.

We'll see what happens.. 🙂

AnonyMs · January 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM

I believe you're not supposed to start progesterone until you've been on estrogen for quite a while and got some development.

Please excuse me If I'm mistaken, but it sounds like you're doing DIY, and if so then there's the issue of proving the date for your SRS letter. I think you were interested in that?

shoko · January 01, 2016, 02:25:22 PM

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM
I believe you're not supposed to start progesterone until you've been on estrogen for quite a while and got some development.

Please excuse me If I'm mistaken, but it sounds like you're doing DIY, and if so then there's the issue of proving the date for your SRS letter. I think you were interested in that?

I have an endocrinologist who told me I could start progesterone at any time. I don't think there's just one way of doing it

StillAnonymous · January 01, 2016, 02:31:38 PM

Congratulations!

Talking to a psychologist and getting a physician was the most difficult part for me because I had to open up to someone. At least we got the wheel rolling and we're gong to make progress. Fantastic job!

AnonyMs · January 01, 2016, 02:40:01 PM

Quote from: shoko on January 01, 2016, 02:25:22 PM
I have an endocrinologist who told me I could start progesterone at any time. I don't think there's just one way of doing it

That's interesting. I am using progesterone now, but I didn't for many years so I'm not sure about when my endo would normally say to start. I didn't ask at the time.

I'd actually suggest you hold off on the progesterone, as it can have a significant effect on how you feel. Learn how you feel on estrogen and AA's first then you'll understand the effect on progesterone. There's a huge thread on it here somewhere.

shoko · January 01, 2016, 04:28:08 PM

Quote from: StillAnonymous on January 01, 2016, 02:31:38 PM
Congratulations!

Talking to a psychologist and getting a physician was the most difficult part for me because I had to open up to someone. At least we got the wheel rolling and we're gong to make progress. Fantastic job!

I'm happy you got the process started, also! I don't like having to go through all the hoops either, and there are much more ahead, but getting the first step out of the way is such a relief.

My endocrinologist said progesterone would even out some side effects of estrogen, so if I do experience them I'll not hesitate to take it. It is expensive (compounded progesterone) and it expires in a month. I'm more afraid of spiro and finasteride, because of the sexual side effects 🙁

shoko · January 17, 2016, 06:58:22 PM

It's been over two weeks now and nothing really has happened. I did start progesterone in the second week but I think I'm going to stop after yesterday because I've been having frequent overnight urination (last 2 nights were bad) and wake up dry and tachycardic sometimes. Not sure if this is due to the progesterone or not but we'll see if it goes away

Deborah · January 17, 2016, 07:03:45 PM

The urination is from the spiro. You need to drink a lot while using it. I've found I need at least 20 glasses of water a day to keep from getting dehydrated. Waking up to pee is is worth it for me because I feel a lot better all day getting enough liquid.

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Rachel · January 17, 2016, 07:52:36 PM

Drink 3 quarts of water a day and cut down on caffeine. Make sure you eat salt. Spiro is a diuretic. It makes you pee and it eliminates salt in the process. Also, it spares potassium so cut out things with high potassium.

When your T is suppressed E will take over. For me it was like a light switch.

I would ask you doctor before changing their coarse of action for you. My doctor said sure when I ask for progesterone. He then said it will put me over the hump (referring to breast growth). I had been on HRT for about a year.

You may want to consider taking your P sublingual at bed time. Also you may think about taking your E sublingual too.

Good luck and congratulations on starting HRT.

shoko · January 17, 2016, 08:11:08 PM

Thanks, yes I'm taking sublingual E but the Progesterone is in capsule form. I do drink too much coffee though, and not enough water. That's going to be a hard habit to break!

Call me crazy but I haven't started spiro yet, not until Feb. 1 (1 month later). Because I needed to make one more sperm deposit 🙁

WendyA · January 18, 2016, 05:40:40 AM

Quote from: shoko on January 17, 2016, 06:58:22 PM
It's been over two weeks now and nothing really has happened.

FWIW I started HRT on Dec 10th and it took 5 weeks before I noticed (sensitive nipples) anything going on.

melissa_h · January 18, 2016, 08:08:35 AM

In the first few weeks, it can be tough to tell what is placebo and what is real. It "seemed like" my nipples were a bit more erect, but that was about it at first. As I moved into month two, some real tenderness started happening under each nipple, and then some budding as well.

KayXo · January 18, 2016, 04:11:57 PM

Progesterone much like Spiro, also exerts an antimineralocorticoid effect whereby sodium/water is lost so it's no surprising you have this problem at night. Perhaps, take it earlier during the day or divide dose, if possible. Check with doctor, as always before making a change and advise of this. Drink enough water/salt. Don't take diuretics (caffeine) at night.

shoko · April 27, 2016, 02:48:59 AM

I'm about 4-5 months after starting HRT with E and Spiro, and intermittent P. My latest blood test has my T around 140 and E still at 60. Is this normal?

Mod Edit- Self medication discussion is against TOS 8.

Cindy · April 27, 2016, 03:13:03 AM

You should talk to your endocrinologist and follow their advice.

Mariah · April 27, 2016, 03:15:33 AM

Please don't self medicate. Early on it isn't uncommon for your T to still be higher than your E, but regardless best to ask your Endo about it and let him decide. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: shoko on April 27, 2016, 02:48:59 AM
I'm about 4-5 months after starting HRT with E and Spiro, and intermittent P. My latest blood test has my T around 140 and E still at 60. Is this normal or should I up my E dose?

shoko · April 27, 2016, 10:41:34 AM

I meant to say, ask my endocrinologist to up the dose (just haven't called yet). I don't self-medicate, although obviously I could.

Anyway, I was wondering how these values compared to others at the same point in time?

KayXo · April 28, 2016, 12:34:22 PM

It would be useful to mention units but I'm assuming T is 140 ng/dl and E, 60 pg/ml.

Women's T levels range from 8-90 ng/dl, E levels from 20 to up to 650 during a menstrual cycle, and up to 75,000 during pregnancy.

More importantly, how are you feeling? Are u seeing good feminization, breast growth, etc? These should be reviewed with your doctor. 😉

shoko · May 02, 2016, 03:49:00 PM

Quote from: KayXo on April 28, 2016, 12:34:22 PM
It would be useful to mention units but I'm assuming T is 140 ng/dl and E, 60 pg/ml.

Women's T levels range from 8-90 ng/dl, E levels from 20 to up to 650 during a menstrual cycle, and up to 75,000 during pregnancy.

More importantly, how are you feeling? Are u seeing good feminization, breast growth, etc? These should be reviewed with your doctor.

We decided to go up a little on the estradiol starting today, and will check again in a few months

Aiming for E to be about 100 at least. Feeling ok so far