Only E without T blockers?

[xFreya]

Hi,
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,207325.0.html
In my last topic here I had shared some medical background about myself. This one isn't exactly about that but it could be relevant. Since then, after about a month of some not so strict dieting and a little exercise (walking mostly) my new levels were:
total cholesterol dropped to 265, triglycerides dropped to 73, hdl and ldl remained the same.


Considering these new results my endo prescribed me what I think is a common starting dose of estradiol but she decided it would be safer to start me on t blockers later, due to my still high cholesterol.

Is this a common approach in our day? I heard the opposite, starting spiro first then some months later estradiol but not this.

What effects should I expect on E without T blockers? Is there a chance my T levels drop some with estradiol only?

I have been taking E for ten days now and physically only thing I might be feeling is some sensitivity on nipples (not sure) and maybe my nose skin being less oily but it might be due to this new soap I use for blackheads. I guess it is too early but I kinda wish she had given me t blockers too, from what I have read some effects of that start earlier and would make me feel a lot better. 

Any knowledge or experiences?

[Dena]

Many people including me transitioned without blockers before they were available. T had already done it's worst but we could still feel dysphoria if estrogen didn't block T. It shouldn't alter your time line and development will take place but you may experience dysphoria at the same level as before.

[xFreya]

Many people including me transitioned without blockers before they were available. T had already done it's worst but we could still feel dysphoria if estrogen didn't block T. It shouldn't alter your time line and development will take place but you may experience dysphoria at the same level as before.

Well at 22 I don't expect much more changes from T so it should be fine to wait a few months if it won't slow down most of the changes. But MTF HRT changes are usually listed together and I was wondering which effect is caused by what exactly. e.g. I've been doing laser on my face and some of the hair is resilient, would it be easier to deal with on E or do I need T blockers. Other changes too.

[Dena]

Suppressing your T levels will reduce your facial hair growth. Before surgery I needed to shave my legs about twice a week and now I can go about a week and a half without them looking to bad. In some people, E can suppress T production but even though my T levels were never tested, I am pretty sure my T levels didn't drop much after starting E.

[Ms Grace]

I started on estrogen only. The endo said it would probably help reduce my testosterone which it apparently did. He started me on Spiro about six weeks later. Remember, everyone is different.

[xFreya]

Yeah I will wait and see then, hope I get lucky. Thanks for the answers.

[luna nyan]

Started on e first as well then added spiro later.
I ended up at a steady level low end female e, low end male t.

[Fresas con Nata]

Started on e first as well then added spiro later.

Would you mind to say how long it went before adding spiro, just like Ms Grace did? Yes, everyone is different, but by reading others' experiences, you can make yourself an image of what is average. Then you might or might not be average (eg. my face electrolysis is going really quick) but knowing the average doesn't hurt.

[luna nyan]

Spiro was added at the 6 week mark.  Grace and I see the same endo

[Denise]

My Dr started me on Spiro for 2+ months, then introduced E (shots).

I'm kinda glad he did.  It gave my old brain (i'm 54) a chance to digest what I'm doing and get the self pity out before I started on E with the elevated emotions. 

Before Spiro I had to shave every day. I really only need to shave every other day after 2 months on Spiro.  Leg hair has gone from shaving weekly to every three weeks.  At two months people I see infrequently asked "Are you losing weight?" Answer NO not a pound (I monitor it daily).  I wonder where the weight change was coming from just on Spiro.  Maybe muscle mass in my shoulders.

[Rachel]

Different doctors do things differently. Transition is a marathon and not a sprint. It sounds like the doctor is looking out for your best health interests.

I have read that high fructose corn syrup is digested in the lever and after  a certain amount it converts additional fructose into triglycerides.

[xFreya]

Before Spiro I had to shave every day. I really only need to shave every other day after 2 months on Spiro.  Leg hair has gone from shaving weekly to every three weeks.  At two months people I see infrequently asked "Are you losing weight?" Answer NO not a pound (I monitor it daily).  I wonder where the weight change was coming from just on Spiro.  Maybe muscle mass in my shoulders.

So my guess was right that changes about body/facial hair are spiro's work.  Facial hair is a big cause of dysphoria for me and I can't seem to get rid of all of them even with laser while I am not on T blockers.

Transition is a marathon and not a sprint. It sounds like the doctor is looking out for your best health interests.

Yes, that is why I don't object her decisions, afaik she is very experienced with trans people and in general and tries her best to explain everything. Despite that I can't help but feel impatient sometimes.

Again thanks for all answers. 

[KayXo]

Considering these new results my endo prescribed me what I think is a common starting dose of estradiol but she decided it would be safer to start me on t blockers later, due to my still high cholesterol.

The consensus today is that cholesterol on its own is not a very good predictor of cardiovascular risk (no causal relationship ever established). Rather its ratio to HDL is more revealing as are triglycerides, Apo B, size of LDL particles, and so on. The fact that triglycerides reduced is a good sign.

Is this a common approach in our day? I heard the opposite, starting spiro first then some months later estradiol but not this.

It depends on the doctor. I started with E as well and did fine. I am happy I started this way as taking T blockers alone will deprive you of all sex hormones which can potentially lead to side-effects such as tiredness, depression, hot flashes, night sweats, etc.

What effects should I expect on E without T blockers? Is there a chance my T levels drop some with estradiol only?

E WILL reduce T by negative feedback inhibition. Effects vary by person and depend on dose. Some only need E as this will sufficiently reduce T and provide good feminization. This is especially true when E is taken by injection or pellets.

I have been taking E for ten days now and physically only thing I might be feeling is some sensitivity on nipples (not sure) and maybe my nose skin being less oily but it might be due to this new soap I use for blackheads.

All good signs. E stimulates breast growth and reduces skin oil production (sebum).

Before Spiro I had to shave every day. I really only need to shave every other day after 2 months on Spiro.  Leg hair has gone from shaving weekly to every three weeks.  At two months people I see infrequently asked "Are you losing weight?" Answer NO not a pound (I monitor it daily).  I wonder where the weight change was coming from just on Spiro.  Maybe muscle mass in my shoulders.

Spiro is diuretic. Less water weight, less bloated.

I have read that high fructose corn syrup is digested in the lever and after  a certain amount it converts additional fructose into triglycerides.

With any sugar ingested which comes from all carbs eaten. I stopped eating all carbs and my triglycerides dropped significantly. The lower the carb content (especially refined), the lower your triglycerides.