Is there much point me starting T-blockers? DILEMMA

[Squirebuffy1990]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently on Estradot patches (7 months in) and seen little effects other than lumps on breasts and less sex drive. There;s been no reducing, thinning or slowing on my arm or leg hair or change in body fat.

My private doctor says I dont need T Blockers as I'm taking in the E very well and my T levels are within female range now. (I dont understand this because I'm not really seeing many changes for 7 months)

I spoke to my GP about spiro and he said he's happy to give a low dosage of spiro  for me to have with the patches.  The lowest dosage there is I think.

Is there much point in me doing this? I doubt I'll even see any effects if its so low? I dont want to take it if there's not going to be any results. I want my SRS in June 2017, and I'm eligible to have it then, but I'm kinda disappointed I'm not even an A cup yet - 7 months into my patches!!!!

What do you think?  Shall I try it?

[Dena]

Breast growth varies from person to person. Some people respond slow and don't have much growth and others have a great deal of growth. I was 5 years before I developed a AA size cup. At 7 months you are early in the game and if you don't requires a blocker, you are better off without it because it can block the action of estrogen as well. In addition, with Sprio you need to watch your diet and fluid intake carefully or you risk serious problems.

You may post your blood test results which would give others a better feel for how your body is adjusting to HRT.

[Squirebuffy1990]

My E is 900

My T is 1.5   (but i'm not seeing many changes)

[Rachel]

Hi,

Have you looked at a pic from before HRT and one now? You may not notice the changes.

[Dena]

My E is 900

My T is 1.5   (but i'm not seeing many changes)

There are two number that may appear on your test, Total estrogen which is the total of Estrone and Estradiol and the other is just Estradiol. The total ratio will vary with Estrone and Estradiol normally being near equal with most forms of dosage. On pills the ratios can be greatly different, In my case, my Estradiol is 51 pg/ml and my Total is 733 pg/ml on my last test. This gives me an Estrone level of 682 pg/ml but the fly in the ointment is that estrone has 1/10 the feminizing power of Estradiol. Therefore it's equivalent to an Estradiol level of 119 pg/ml. Doctors normally target an Estradiol level of around 200 pg/ml but even at this lower level, I am seeing more feminizing power than I had under previous treatment. As I said before, it will take time.

If you didn't have moobs (man boobs) the process may be even slower. I started flat as a pancake and it took a long time before much noticeable happened.

As for your testosterone levels, Females should have 6-86 ng/dl or .1-1.2 ng/ml total testosterone so if the units are ng/dl, your levels are golden. To compare, my post surgical levels are 36 ng/dl. It appears the doctor is saving you the trouble and expense of a blocker, something it appears you don't need.

[Rachel]

My T is less than 3 ng/dl and I am on the second to lowest dose of spiro. I am on a high dose of E via IM.