Hormones and well, old age.

[Devlyn]

Do we eventually have our doses reduced as we approach our golden years? Are the levels less important after the feminizing or masculinizing effects have taken place? I'm getting old, I have to worry about this stuff! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[KayXo]

I've know transwomen in their 70's and 80's take doses higher than what is typically prescribed for menopausal women and do quite fine on them. Studies suggest this isn't a problem as long as the estrogen is bio-identical and is taken non-orally.

[SadieBlake]

Yep, sublingual, transdermal or injected all bypass most concerns for putting a higher load on the liver.

Absence of hormones causes far more health problems than HRT so unless you have very specific contraindications hrt will be a net positive

[Devlyn]

Thanks, Kay and Sadie. I guess what I meant to ask is do hormone levels drop as people age, and  do we try to mimic that in our systems?

Hugs, Devlyn

[SadieBlake]

My daughter asked the same thing.

If we did, at your, my age we would see effectively no transition, afaik post menopause the ovaries produce no estrogen. The downsides are osteoporosis, decreased healing times (I've upped my estrogen dose to double normal during GCS recovery to improve healing capacity, E levels around 350. The main reason I'll be going back to my normal dose once I'm done healing will be to spend less $ in estradiol.

[Laurie]

Alright Dev,

   That'll be enough of that "I'm getting old" nonsense. You are younger than I am and younger than a lot of us on this here forum. We don't need, nor will we put up with such negative talk from you youngin. Now do as you are supposed to and go discuss it with your doctor.
   Yes, yes, I know I'm in denial and I like it that way.

  Hugs,
     Laurie

[SaintAlia]

I had a similar thought pop into my head regarding aging (though thankfully I'm still a bit away from that, I like to think ahead.)

My doctor said that while some changes of HRT are permanent, some may not be, and that if I stopped taking hormones, some things like body fat and body hair reduction would reverse. If this is true, then am I destined to be taking hormones until the day I die, rather than cis women who go through menopause?

[Devlyn]

Alright Dev,

   That'll be enough of that "I'm getting old" nonsense. You are younger than I am and younger than a lot of us on this here forum. We don't need, nor will we put up with such negative talk from you youngin. Now do as you are supposed to and go discuss it with your doctor.
   Yes, yes, I know I'm in denial and I like it that way.

  Hugs,
     Laurie

Wow, Denali, you sure do get around! Also, your autocorrect is acting up again.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Laurie]

Wow, Denali, you sure do get around! Also, your autocorrect is acting up again.

Hugs, Devlyn

         *sigh*

  At least you didn't run away this time.

  SMACK!!  Behave young lady.

  Hugs,
    Laurie

[Anne Blake]

Hi Devlyn,
I am tagging into this thread because I too am interested in the responses. I am only 69 years of age so won't be "older" for another decade or two but I should at least prepare for the eventuallity. Surgery is scheduled in 68 more days and I am very concerned about maintaining bone density with the changes to my hormone balance. It is an issue that I will bring up with my OB/GEN next month.

Anne

[KathyLauren]

Our levels ought to be those of a teenage girl during transition.  So, subtract 50 years from my chronological age, and that is the level I think they should be shooting for.  I successfully urged my doc to increase my E dosage on my latest checkup.  I hope she will continue that 50-year differential indefinitely.  So, when I am 100, i'll be fine with them starting to reduce my dose.

[Devlyn]

Exactly why I asked. Grannies in perpetual puberty seems a cultural oddity. I think I'd prefer to eventually taper back to what a senior could expect for levels. Great discussion so far.   

Hugs, Devlyn

[KayXo]

Studies in cismen with advanced prostate cancer (risk is increased due to age and cancer), aged 49-91 yrs old, have shown that high estradiol levels (mean, 500-600 pg/ml, up to around 1,000), taken transdermally, did not lead to increased cardiovascular or thromboembolic complications. There was actually normalization of clotting.

In women with advanced breast cancer and aged 40-92 yrs old, despite VERY high doses of oral bio-identical estradiol and levels of estradiol around 2,500 pg/ml, there was only one incidence of thrombosis in more than 50 women, follow-up 6-22 months.

Food for thought...

[Barb99]

Do we eventually have our doses reduced as we approach our golden years? Are the levels less important after the feminizing or masculinizing effects have taken place? I'm getting old, I have to worry about this stuff! 

Hugs, Devlyn

Asked my doctor this very question shortly after post op. I'm 62 and asked where I should be keeping my E levels as I get older. Her answer was as long as my blood work keeps coming back normal, stay where I am now, 600 pg/ml.

[Dena]

I guess I am one of the few on the site that can provide a data point. After surgery,  I was reduced to a quarter dosage with the thought that I no longer required a transition dosage. As I was on Premarin at the time, I suspect my blood levels were very low and my development almost stopped. I have been back on pills for a little over a year and I am on a half dosage. My levels are currently around 50 pg/ml 24 hours after my last dose and while this is in the menopause range, it's sufficient to provide development. I am seeing fat movement to my legs and my breast ache and have lost size off my waist. My NP has indicated that a full dosage isn't needed by somebody who is older and is post surgical. I am making progress but it seems like I am on the slow boat of development. 

[DawnOday]

Do we eventually have our doses reduced as we approach our golden years? Are the levels less important after the feminizing or masculinizing effects have taken place? I'm getting old, I have to worry about this stuff! 

Hugs, Devlyn

Devlyn I've been fooling death since my four open heart surgeries. If you have thrombosis and are susceptible to strokes then you need to be somewhat vigilant. Otherwise don't worry. Live.

[jentay1367]

Do not fret....when your time has come and gone, you will be the very last to know.

[Dani]

Thanks, Kay and Sadie. I guess what I meant to ask is do hormone levels drop as people age, and  do we try to mimic that in our systems?

Hugs, Devlyn

If we try to mimic age related hormone levels, then expect to look your age. Estradiol is very safe at any age and it does give us a more youthful appearance.

[Julia1996]

From what I've seen here estrogen seems to be like a fountain of youth.  I would totally take the largest dose I could safely if I was old.  Sure I would still be old but if you don't look old then it doesn't count. I'm just saying.
Julia

[Devlyn]

If there was an actual fountain of youth, I wouldn't drink from it. It looks like I'm in the minority with that opinion, though.

Hugs, Devlyn