hormone levels?

[Danni98]

I had my two month follow up and my estrogen levels were at 640 so they lowered that a bit, but my testosterone levels were at 40. That seemed like a nice low number to me, but I guess its supposed to be lower? So I got switched from Finasteride to Spironolactone. Is that that normal? because the person on the phone acted like OMG your t is way to high!!!

[Dena]

Depends on the units they are using. 640 is on the high side as they normally target 200. Depending on when and how the last dosage was taken, the number can vary. A T level of 40 is about what I run post surgical and it's within the feminine range but often the blockers will drive it lower. Another issue is T production takes time to shut down so it could take more than two months to see the final numbers.

[Danni98]

I was on the Finasteride, for a few months to prevent hair loss, before I started the estrogen. They had me come in mid week on weekly injections. Not sure what units they measured I didn't think to ask, I'm still learning. Thanks.

[Harley Quinn]

I was on Spironolactone first then added Finasteride. Finasteride is a DHT blocker, not a Testosterone blocker. So the Spiro will take your T levels down. Currently estrogen is what has been driving down your T levels.

[KayXo]

Depends on the units they are using. 640 is on the high side as they normally target 200.

And yet, ciswomen experience levels anywhere from 20-650 pg/ml every menstrual cycle and up to 75,000 pg/ml during pregnancy. How they came up with 100-200 as a target range remains a mystery to me and doesn't seem to be based on any kind of sound scientific info. Arbitrary.

[Barb99]

It seems to be different for each of us and each doctor seems to have there own targets. My doc has me targeted at 400. When I first switched to injections my levels went up to 800. I was very surprised when my tests came back that high because I felt better than I ever had while my E was that high. I asked my doc if I could stay up there and she was willing to let me stay at 800, but in the end I decided to go with her target of 400, at least until after GCS at which time we will look at the numbers AND how I feel and decide on a long term level.
Sometimes it seems arbitrary, and maybe it is, but I think it just varies per individual. I also think the doctors should give as much consideration to how a person feels as they do to the level numbers.

[Danni98]

I think they want my estrogen under 600. Idk like you I feel awesome the way it is, everything that's supposed to be happening is happening, I haven't been moody, depression, anxiety is gone. Even broke down and cried about a movie last night, but not sure if it was because it was beautiful or because it hit close to home. Oh well they know more about this then me.

[becky.rw]

I had my two month follow up and my estrogen levels were at 640 so they lowered that a bit, but my testosterone levels were at 40. That seemed like a nice low number to me, but I guess its supposed to be lower? So I got switched from Finasteride to Spironolactone. Is that that normal? because the person on the phone acted like OMG your t is way to high!!!

40 (presuming we're all using US typical units here...) isn't too high for medical transition; but if they've been doing this for a while, they may be accustomed to trans women preferring (on average) to have T suppressed far below female reference range for the psychological benefit/effect.    If you feel ok at 40, and don't want libido suppressed further, you might want to mention it.

[Danni98]

lol, what libido.

[Dena]

I must have been tired when I wrote my post because I missed something. My total estrogen is 733 and my estradiol is 51pg/ml. Estradiol is normally targeted at 200. Total estrogen is composed of estradiol and estrone. Estrone is 10th as potent as estradiol so high estrogen levels may not be providing the full picture.

[KayXo]

If you feel ok at 40, and don't want libido suppressed further, you might want to mention it.

I have 8 ng/dl total testosterone and plenty of libido. Some women who had a hysterectomy only take estrogen and that alone increases their libido.

[becky.rw]

True enough.  Estradiol can be sufficient all by its lonesome; though it fortunately isn't for me... for the time being at least.  I'm grateful for the "vacation" as it were.