Estradiol alone?

[Daniellekai]

I've found a study indicating that for many transgender women spiro may not be necessary at all, and was wondering if those who have done it with injection or patch have their experience match up?

For reference: http://www.academia.edu/7785594/ESTRADIOL_ALONE_MAY_SUPPRESS_TESTOSTERONE_.or_NOT_Which_is_it_A_Review_by_Castalia_Francon_of_a_Recent_Study_

[Dena]

We are already aware that low testosterone levels and sufficient estrogen level will result in suppression of testosterone production. We have a few member who are able to do so but it doesn't work for everybody. The way it's administered isn't important as long as the proper levels can be reached. If you are receiving HRT, your endo should be running regular blood test and if your T levels zero out, the blocker should be reduced so you are taking the minimal amount to suppress your T levels. Modern HRT isn't cook book but is instead an art form. 

[Daniellekai]

I'm not yet, procrastinating while getting to a healthy weight, I think I'll give it a shot though when I'm ready, the spiro seems like no fun.

[Dena]

Spiro is better than the alternative. I received HRT without any blocker and I am pretty sure my testosterone levels weren't suppressed. I wasn't truly free of testosterone until I had GCS and then I had all the issues of crashing hormone levels along with the pain of recovery. Any reduction I had in dysphoria was the because I had social dysphoria and RLE helped with it. Possibly you will be lucky an estrogen will be sufficient without  blocker.

[Daniellekai]

The paper recommends keeping a close eye on it, and if it remains too high to take the Spiro, but also to go off it after a time as the levels will likely not come back up. (But obviously keep an eye on it anyway)

It sounds valid enough, what's a few weeks on E only going to risk that my 30 years of T hasn't already.

[Alf]

I've found a study indicating that for many transgender women spiro may not be necessary at all, and was wondering if those who have done it with injection or patch have their experience match up?

Hi I have just registered here, just wanted to add my experience after a year taking Estradiol without any other meds.
It Is quite normal according to my doctor here in Rome (Italy) to prescribe Estradiol alone. My experience to date has been all positive and results so far both physical and emotional have exceeded my expectations.

[Jacqueline]

I've found a study indicating that for many transgender women spiro may not be necessary at all, and was wondering if those who have done it with injection or patch have their experience match up?

Hi I have just registered here, just wanted to add my experience after a year taking Estradiol without any other meds.
It Is quite normal according to my doctor here in Rome (Italy) to prescribe Estradiol alone. My experience to date has been all positive and results so far both physical and emotional have exceeded my expectations.

Alf,

I know it is really late but I want to welcome you to the site.

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Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Janes Groove]

I have a friend whose doctor didn't want to prescribe spiro because of her chart.  So her regimen is estradiol alone.  The patch.  She reports that her T levels are in the normal female range.

[Dani]

Transition goes so much faster with some sort of testosterone blocker. If not Spironolactone, then how about finasteride?

[Daniellekai]

I have low end of normal blood pressure, so it's probably best to avoid Spiro anyway, I'll ask the Endo about it once I get there, speed of transition is less preferable to health of transition, I'm ok with a marginally slower, but healthier, or better end result transition. That said I've noticed a lot of my current habits are amazing for this, intermittent fasting and exercise triggers release of HGH which can enhance the effects of HRT, so it seems it would be really smart to get on HRT now, while I'm losing weight with the intermittent fasting and morning exercise routine. I'm really glad I have the ball rolling on that, the other thing though is I don't want changes to out me before I'm ready at work but my hair and the results from the kinds of exercise I do are threatening to do that anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I get there though.

[JMJW]

I don't like the idea of Spiro either. I already get dehydrated as is. Finasteride is banned in the US because of liver toxicity and while I'm not in the US, that's concerning. I would never take either long term, I would only want to take it until an orchiectomy.

[amberwaves]

Finasteride is not banned in the US.  Perhaps you are thinking of a different medication, such as Androcur?  Finasteride is sold as two different meds in the US, Proscar for benign prostate hyperplasia and Propecia for male pattern hair loss.

[JMJW]

Yeah I was thinking of Cyproterone acetate/androcur.

[rose]

Yeah I was thinking of Cyproterone acetate/androcur.

Can you get it in North America ( USA , Canada) by buy it online ?

[Daniellekai]

Can you get it in North America ( USA , Canada) by buy it online ?

I think it's a type of medication that legally requires a prescription, and the doctors can't legally prescribe it, but you can get it through shady sources, I'd just use a different one if I end up needing it. There are enough options...

I'd like to avoid if possible anyway, seems like the way to go from my research (with the preference for health over speed of transition in mind)

[Miss Lux]

Never used blockers just E the lowest dose.... I am post op though....

[Dani]

Never used blockers just E the lowest dose.... I am post op though....

For us post-op ladies, when the T factory is shut down, there is little need for a T blocker.

However, the adrenal glands do produce a small amount of T. A simple blood test will tell you if you need to continue blocking Testosterone.

[kittenpower]

I stopped taking spironolactone last July and my most recent labs in December shows that my T level is ~ 3, so anyone that has been on a blocker for a long time may be able to discontinue it; just talk with your Doc, and monitor your labs.