Second visit at Fenway Clinic tomorrow

[laurenb]

Tomorrow I'll be at my second visit to the Fenway Clinic in Boston. This is to get on HRT. The first over a month ago visit was intake and blood work. They gave me the informed consent docs to initial and sign. I'm excited. I'm anxious. I'm not sure what's next. I'm pretty sure it won't be a script but who knows. My blood work was clean and except for progesterone, they did not check test and est, so maybe that's this visit. You fill out the informed consent form and it's real. But if I ask myself what I want, it's this. Just this right now.

[DuchessBianca]

Good luck! That's exactly where I go for HRT and related things and I'm pretty glad for it as so far everyone is quite nice! Hopefully you get some good news tomorrow! ^_^

[SadieBlake]

How did it go!?

[laurenb]

It was a follow up. No script until at least another visit. Except. She checked my blood work. Noticed my Potassium was in range but a bit high. She wanted me to give a little more blood. Now the Potassium is very high - above range. I'm vegetarian so I'm really not surprised, but very worried it's going to be a problem since Spiro, as everyone knows, is K sparing. I'm a little disheartened needless to say. Next visit December.

[KayXo]

Spiro isn't the only way to reduce testosterone. There are safe, healthy alternatives which your doctor should normally be aware of.

[laurenb]

Good point Kay. They told me Spiro was their standard protocol (along with Estrace). My research on Spiro made it seem to be the most benign of the AA's. I also found out that the Potassium test number is easily manipulated up by mishandling of the blood sample or a delay between drawing and testing. So while I may be a bit higher than the general pop because of my diet, there could also be something else compounding it. I think I'll ask for a retest. Stay tuned.

[KayXo]

Bicalutamide and LhRh agonists are relatively safe anti-androgens. Estrogen pellets or intramuscular injections can bring down T to female levels on their own, without the need for an AA and seem to be a relatively safe option as well. You can bring this up with your doctor. In any event, good luck.

[laurenb]

Good point about alternative meds. I saw my regular GP yesterday and told her the whole story. She asked if I fasted before the previous high K test. Not really - I wasn't expecting to have a blood test. I didn't have breakfast but I munched on almonds and cashews on the way. OK - need to do a retest she said. Nuts are very high in K. So I will be doing yet another test - hopefully back in limits this time. Will post the results.

[Devlyn]

Fingers crossed for you! 

Hugs, Devlyn