Flat mood after starting HRT.

[Jordanne]

Hiya

This is my first post, I've been a member for a few months but never posted.

I'll get to the point, I've 'unofficially' - i.e self-medicated - with HRT in the past with blockers and noticed the physical effects of it (you obviously know what all this is, boobs starting to grow etc). I was lucky enough to have a GP who did the blood tests for me so I could monitor my levels.

After being told by my Dr's and Clinicians to stop self medicating (which I did) last year, I was presribed Estrodial in December (no blockers yet).

Since I've started taking them I've felt crap more than good. My mood is just generally negative. There are odd occasions where I feel good but generally I feel crap and can be hostile to people. I've gone on a massive rant at a manager at work about how their management style is crap and annoying (to put it in polite terms) and the other day I opened my door to step out of the car to confront someone who uses their horn for the wrong reason (there was a car accident in front and the police were filtering everyone into one lane). I would've never have done either of these things in the past.

I guess I am just asking, has anyone else felt rubbish after starting HRT? All I seem to see on the internet is positive emotions after starting E. I just feel flat, if not worse at the moment.

I finally got the NHS to re-register me as female (they managed to lose the majority of my medical history in the process). My E levels on my most recent blood test are flagging up as abnormally low, so my dose of E has been doubled. My T levels were not flagging as abnormal so I guess they are within female range which is weird considering I am not on blockers.

I don't know. I am all over the place. Any ideas?

Regards
-Jordanne

[Dani]

Jordanne,

Most all of us ladies in transition have felt a calming effect from estradiol. However we are all individuals and we may or may not experience the same side effects. The aggressive behavior you described is more typical of someone on testosterone for the first time, such as teenage males or transmen. Bless their hearts, I hope that they do NOT end up in jail due to their aggressive behavior.

Self medication is full of adverse effects and I am very proud of you for going to see your doctor about HRT. Better late than never.

I recommend you ask your doctor about a T-blocker such as spironolactone and finasteride. 

[Jordanne]

My last appointment to see my 'Gender Dr' as I call them was the Tuesday just gone.

I did mention it to them. They want to get my Oestrogen levels to a stable level before instructing my GP to start me on Cyproterone Acetate.

Maybe the doubling of the dose will help? I have no idea. My mum is quite feisty. I don't know, I'm going to discuss it with my GP on Friday. I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similiar experience.

[Dani]

My mum is quite feisty.

That says it all young lady!

We become just like our mothers (or other close female relative).

[KayXo]

I did mention it to them. They want to get my Oestrogen levels to a stable level before instructing my GP to start me on Cyproterone Acetate

Be advised that cyproterone acetate is sometimes associated with depression, especially on those individuals predisposed. Also, it has been associated with the onset of prolactinomas ( 5 out of 8 ) and especially meningiomas (8 of 9) in transsexual women. It can slightly raise the propensity to clot, may attenuate estradiol's beneficial vasodilating effects on arteries and affect adrenal function, as well. In high doses, it can can cause extreme fatigue and have adverse effects on the liver. Expect your prolactin levels to increase on this anti-androgen.

Maybe the doubling of the dose will help? I have no idea.

Low T and E levels may explain why your mood is low. Higher E may help. Also, too low T in some, no matter how high the E, can lower mood.

[April_TO]

Hi Jordanne,

I could say that in my experience, I have been more vocal about my emotions and at times it could sound raw or at least a bit too candid for my liking when I started on HRT and it still is.

There's no fixed way of being on HRT. Some do get the euphoria, some do get the calming effect and some like me do get the freedom of full self expression.

If you are suspecting that you are suffering from a mild depression or any indirect effects of HRT then I would consult your doctor.

I hope that this helps.

April

[Jordanne]

That says it all young lady!

We become just like our mothers (or other close female relative).

God help us all then

Be advised that cyproterone acetate is sometimes associated with depression, especially on those individuals predisposed. Also, it has been associated with the onset of prolactinomas ( 5 out of 8 ) and especially meningiomas (8 of 9) in transsexual women. It can slightly raise the propensity to clot, may attenuate estradiol's beneficial vasodilating effects on arteries and affect adrenal function, as well. In high doses, it can can cause extreme fatigue and have adverse effects on the liver. Expect your prolactin levels to increase on this anti-androgen.

Low T and E levels may explain why your mood is low. Higher E may help. Also, too low T in some, no matter how high the E, can lower mood.

As far as I am aware it is the blocker that the NHS chooses to use. I'll discuss this at my next clinic appointment. My dose of E has been doubled so we'll have to see if that helps. I saw my GP today and have been given another blood test to go to in a few weeks to check everything over.

Hi Jordanne,

I could say that in my experience, I have been more vocal about my emotions and at times it could sound raw or at least a bit too candid for my liking when I started on HRT and it still is.

There's no fixed way of being on HRT. Some do get the euphoria, some do get the calming effect and some like me do get the freedom of full self expression.

If you are suspecting that you are suffering from a mild depression or any indirect effects of HRT then I would consult your doctor.

I hope that this helps.

April

Yeah, I'm going to see how I go. After speaking to my Dr he has said to contact him if anything gets worse. I do sometimes forget that everyone is different and the effects of HRT would be different for different people.

Thanks for the advice eveyone

Jordanne