Low E levels? Help!

[Moon_18]

Hello everyone!:)

First of all, please excuse my English. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist on Wednesday and we discussed my blood work results. I have been on hormones for 2 months and 2 weeks and my E levels were 297.8 pmol/l (81 pg/mL). I wanted to ask if these levels are normal for someone who has been on hormones for 2 months and two weeks?  Thank you so so much for those who will answer! <3

Victoria

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. Normally the transition targets the range of 100-200 pg/ml however estradiol doesn't last long in the body. If you were 24 hour between your last dose and your blood test, your levels for much of that time would be a good deal higher depending on exactly how your pills were taken. My estradiol levels tend to run at about 50 pg/ml and I am seeing development even though that would be considered a menopause level. Hormones take months to produce results and some people take longer than others. Normally you would see noticeable development after about 6 months to a year. I am including a table you might find interesting.

ESTRADIOL LEVELS
SEX                     pg/ml
Women (> 18 years old)   
      Follicular Phase  30-120
      Ovulatory Peak   130-370
      Luteal Phase      70-250
      Post-Menopausal   15-60
Male                    15-60

TOTAL TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
SEX      ng/dl        ng/ml
Females  6 - 86     0.1 - 1.2
Males  270 - 1100   2.4 - 12
Conversion factor: 1 ng/ml = 3.47 nmol/l

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[Deborah]

After 60 days my E levels were slightly lower than yours when I tested 4 hours after my last dose.  Now they are above 100 pg/ml if I test 12 hours after my last dose and close to 200 if I test 6 hours after my last dose.  I'm dosing twice a day so the level is staying between 100 to 200 all the time.  So your E levels will probably continue to rise given time.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[KayXo]

E levels rise and fall within 24 hours so they really don't mean much. What is more important is how you feel, breast growth, body hair, fat distribution, facial changes, etc. I noticed my breasts growing within a couple of months of starting HRT and lots of pain. Increased fat in the thighs and buttocks within 2-4 months, body hair growing slower within days. You should see at least some change at 2 months, IMHO.

[Moon_18]

Thanks girls! You calmed me down about my E levels. The blood test was made after 12 hours of my last dose.

Another question I have is about my T levels. I'm currently taking Biculatamide as anti-androgen. I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my body hair BUT I experience no changes in my face whatsoever. Also, I have only little to no pain in my breasts. My T levels are extremely high (30.88 nmol/l and my doctor said genetic male T levels range from 8.64 - 29.0 nmol/l). I'm so confused and depressed about my T levels. I have read that Biculatamide increases your T levels drastically but it runs free in your blood and is not used by your body but I'm still not happy about having hight T levels knowing that I see no face changes or development in breasts. I'm thinking about switching to Spiro. What do you suggest?

[Deborah]

I am using spiro and it dropped my T from a pretty high level to where it is now undetectable.  Some people have reported bad side effects with spiro but I have felt good on it.  It did take a while to adjust but I'm not suffering any ill effects at all.  You just need to experiment with salt and water intake to find a level that keeps you feeling good.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[KayXo]

Another question I have is about my T levels. I'm currently taking Biculatamide as anti-androgen. I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my body hair BUT I experience no changes in my face whatsoever. Also, I have only little to no pain in my breasts. My T levels are extremely high (30.88 nmol/l and my doctor said genetic male T levels range from 8.64 - 29.0 nmol/l). I'm so confused and depressed about my T levels. I have read that Biculatamide increases your T levels drastically but it runs free in your blood and is not used by your body but I'm still not happy about having hight T levels knowing that I see no face changes or development in breasts. I'm thinking about switching to Spiro. What do you suggest?

Bicalutamide ONLY blocks T so there is no sense in measuring levels. I suspect the reason you aren't seeing much change is too little E. Please discuss this with your doctor.

[Moon_18]

If Bicalutamide only blocks T receptors and not its production then does Spiro stop production of T? Because other girls are taking Spiro and their T levels drop.

[Deborah]

Spiro stops the production of T.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Moon_18]

Thank you, Deborah! I made up my mind, I'm goint to ask my doctor to put me on Spiro.

[KayXo]

Spiro doesn't stop production but reduces it. Additionally, it blocks T.

[Moon_18]

But if Spiro doesn't stop the production of T then why T levels in girls who take Spiro drop and it doesn't drop in girls who  take Biculatamide?

[Deborah]

It reduced my blood concentration of T from 826 ng/dl to less than 3 ng/dl.   Perhaps that is technically not completely stopped but it is effectively stopped.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

[Moon_18]

Deborah, may I ask how much time it took for your T levels to drop to current levels?

[Deborah]

It took a while.  The T stubbornly resisted until we raised the dose pretty high.

Initially 826 ng/dl
60 days 158 ng/dl
8 months 120 ng/dl
Doubled spiro dose
14 months 19 ng/dl
20 months <3 ng/dl
It's remained there since.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote