E

[AnnMarie2017]

When I started HRT, I took my E orally. I did this for about six weeks; and, when I didn't detect any changes – physical or psychological – I switched to sublingual administration, and experienced my first physical response to E within 24 hours. So, I continued taking my E sublingually.

About five months after starting HRT, I saw an endocrinologist for the first time. I got tested; and, while my T was great (almost non-existent), my E was very  low. The endo scheduled me for another appointment three months out, and advised new tests for E: two hours and six hours after dosing.

The results of the tests were dramatic. Two hours after my dose, my E was over 400. Six hours after my dose, it was in the 70s.

When I went back, he advised me to begin taking my E orally again. I was astonished, and I told him so. I said, It's your field, and I have to trust you; but this contradicts everything I've read about taking E. He just smiled. He thinks that oral administration might result in a more steady level of E in my blood. My feminization had basically stalled, and it concerned me.

I did as instructed; and, son of a gun, I think my breasts are growing again. Not only that, for the last two days something within me has been looking for an excuse to cry. As I was driving home from work yesterday, I was moved to tears twice, by two completely unrelated thoughts. And today, while at the grocery store – again, after work – the song on the Muzak made me want to cry. It has to be the E.

Oh, girls, this roller coaster is like no other. I decided that today I would veg out; it's Sunday, and I planned to watch Hallmark Channel movies and eat popcorn (a no-no); and I found myself so jealous of the lead in the first film. So cute; I wanted to look like her.

Isn't life crazy? You have to believe there's purpose and sense to it. There's a reason for us. I can't imagine what it is.

When I was 12 years old, I thought I was going crazy. My parents fought constantly; and for most of my life I thought that the reason I thought I was going crazy was that I was internalizing their conflict. After all, children do tend to think themselves the reason for the unpleasantnesses around them.

My parents took me seriously enough that they sent me to a child psychiatrist. I saw Dr. Simmons for the summer, then stopped. Apparently, the crisis had passed.

I didn't realize I was trans until I was nearly 60. I think there's a decent chance that the reason I thought I was going crazy was that I was entering puberty, my body was being flooded with T and my brain was freaking out. I wonder what my life would have been like, had the truth been known then. Could have been better; could have been worse.

I'm grateful to know now. That's what matters.

[Transfused]

When I started HRT, I took my E orally. I did this for about six weeks; and, when I didn't detect any changes – physical or psychological – I switched to sublingual administration, and experienced my first physical response to E within 24 hours. So, I continued taking my E sublingually.

About five months after starting HRT, I saw an endocrinologist for the first time. I got tested; and, while my T was great (almost non-existent), my E was very  low. The endo scheduled me for another appointment three months out, and advised new tests for E: two hours and six hours after dosing.

The results of the tests were dramatic. Two hours after my dose, my E was over 400. Six hours after my dose, it was in the 70s.

When I went back, he advised me to begin taking my E orally again. I was astonished, and I told him so. I said, It's your field, and I have to trust you; but this contradicts everything I've read about taking E. He just smiled. He thinks that oral administration might result in a more steady level of E in my blood. My feminization had basically stalled, and it concerned me.

I did as instructed; and, son of a gun, I think my breasts are growing again. Not only that, for the last two days something within me has been looking for an excuse to cry. As I was driving home from work yesterday, I was moved to tears twice, by two completely unrelated thoughts. And today, while at the grocery store – again, after work – the song on the Muzak made me want to cry. It has to be the E.

Oh, girls, this roller coaster is like no other. I decided that today I would veg out; it's Sunday, and I planned to watch Hallmark Channel movies and eat popcorn (a no-no); and I found myself so jealous of the lead in the first film. So cute; I wanted to look like her.

Isn't life crazy? You have to believe there's purpose and sense to it. There's a reason for us. I can't imagine what it is.

When I was 12 years old, I thought I was going crazy. My parents fought constantly; and for most of my life I thought that the reason I thought I was going crazy was that I was internalizing their conflict. After all, children do tend to think themselves the reason for the unpleasantnesses around them.

My parents took me seriously enough that they sent me to a child psychiatrist. I saw Dr. Simmons for the summer, then stopped. Apparently, the crisis had passed.

I didn't realize I was trans until I was nearly 60. I think there's a decent chance that the reason I thought I was going crazy was that I was entering puberty, my body was being flooded with T and my brain was freaking out. I wonder what my life would have been like, had the truth been known then. Could have been better; could have been worse.

I'm grateful to know now. That's what matters.

You might want to ask for patches!

Patches give steadier levels than pills.

Pills give more estrone than Estradiol. Estrone is weaker than Estradiol. You want high Estradiol and lower Estrone for optimum feminization.

Prometrium also helps with breast development. I took it for a while to boost my boob development. I no longer take it.

I'm on E patches and my last test showed Low T and high E, female ranges for both. Feminization has stalled for me too. I have been on E for 2 years and a few months. Nothing happened after the 1.5 year mark. Most of my changes were in year 1.

A part of it is also genetics. Taking more is not going to guarantee more results.
If you are over 50 then you have lower growth hormone levels than us who started in our 10s and 20s.

HRT alone may or may not bring you were you need to be.
FFS, BA, body contouring are all additional options.

An orchiectomy or SRS might also boost your results a bit.
If that is not possible now, then you may want to change to a different AA like Cypro. Spiro doesn't do the trick for everyone.

Bicalutamide is another great option for AA compound of your HRT.

Discuss with your doctor. There are tons of options. Keep nagging until they listen to you.
Good luck!

[Donna]

I'm taking oral e and just into my second month and I know it's doing it's thing. Have blood work this week for an appointment on Friday. I cry at the drop of the hat and am so mello it makes me wonder if it's even me. The doc is really good and can't belive the growth I've had since starting on spiro and dutastricide last year. I'm just maxing  out my 40c bras and have dropped 65 pounds in the last 14 months. I was concerned the med could put on weight. I guess for me my body and mind have wanted this change for so long it's being fully cooperative with my transition.
💕💗Donna💕💗

[Transfused]

I'm taking oral e and just into my second month and I know it's doing it's thing. Have blood work this week for an appointment on Friday. I cry at the drop of the hat and am so mello it makes me wonder if it's even me. The doc is really good and can't belive the growth I've had since starting on spiro and dutastricide last year. I'm just maxing  out my 40c bras and have dropped 65 pounds in the last 14 months. I was concerned the med could put on weight. I guess for me my body and mind have wanted this change for so long it's being fully cooperative with my transition.
💕💗Donna💕💗

Enjoy the changes, Donna!
Every ladypatch still feels like magic!
E is the elixir of life for me haha
Xx

[AnneK]

can't belive the growth I've had since starting on spiro and dutastricide last year

I've also been on dutasteride for about a year, for BPH, but not spiro.  I also seem to be noticing breast growth, but not certain yet.  One can always hope.   

[KayXo]

Pills give more estrone than Estradiol. Estrone is weaker than Estradiol. You want high Estradiol and lower Estrone for optimum feminization.

I had the most breast growth on oral estradiol (vs. injections) despite estrone being far higher relative to estradiol.

[Dani]

...So, I continued taking my E sublingually.

About five months after starting HRT, I saw an endocrinologist for the first time. I got tested; and, while my T was great (almost non-existent), my E was very  low. The endo scheduled me for another appointment three months out, and advised new tests for E: two hours and six hours after dosing.

The results of the tests were dramatic. Two hours after my dose, my E was over 400. Six hours after my dose, it was in the 70s.

The rapid drop of Estradiol blood levels after sublingual dosing is normal. Because of this, those of us who really prefer sublingual take our Estradiol 2 or 3 times a day. There are many of us girls who have really good results with the sublingual route.

Patches and injections will give you more consistent blood levels, however, feminization does not need steady blood levels of Estradiol. Feminization requires long term Estradiol exposure with doses high enough to put your blood levels into the female range.  Breast growth takes several years and it is very difficult to see results in just a few months. Many girls have reported the emotional roller coaster you experienced and breast tenderness as well while taking Estradiol. We just take it as a sign that the Estradiol is doing it's job.

[AnnMarie2017]

I'm taking oral e and just into my second month and I know it's doing it's thing. Have blood work this week for an appointment on Friday. I cry at the drop of the hat and am so mello it makes me wonder if it's even me. The doc is really good and can't belive the growth I've had since starting on spiro and dutastricide last year. I'm just maxing  out my 40c bras and have dropped 65 pounds in the last 14 months. I was concerned the med could put on weight. I guess for me my body and mind have wanted this change for so long it's being fully cooperative with my transition.
💕💗Donna💕💗

Wow, Donna! Congratulations! 

[KayXo]

Patches and injections will give you more consistent blood levels

On injections, my blood levels were far from steady and my doctor admits to not even measuring levels in his patients on injections as levels tend to fluctuate a lot. On day 3, my estradiol was 2,500 pg/ml. Only 2 days later, 1,300 pg/ml. In my own experience and from what I read, it seems that oral (not sublingual) estradiol, pellets, gels and patches give the steadiest levels.

Feminization requires long term Estradiol exposure with doses high enough to put your blood levels into the female range.

Female range is anywhere from 20-1,000 pg/ml, also overlapping with men's (10-60). I need my blood levels at least over 300-400 to start getting some good results. YMMV.

[AnnMarie2017]

It has been roughly five weeks since I switched back to oral administration. It's my doctor's idea, hoping to steady the level of E in my blood; sublingual resulted in peaks and lows.

Today, I observed something new. I think I mentioned that for a few days recently it seemed as though I was looking for an excuse to cry. Well, today -- my experience with my makeup notwithstanding -- while sitting here at my desk, doing my job, I suddenly noticed that a calmness had settled into my state of being. I'm not sure how to describe it; it's unlike anything I can remember experiencing before. I recall girls mentioning how E brought them a feeling that sounds like this. I wonder if that's what it is.

This is lovely. You know, I've never been a fan of the notion that being transgender is simply a matter of brain chemistry. When I was taking E orally for the first six weeks I was on HRT, I didn't feel this. Could it be because E has to build up in the system?

Something interesting happened the first time I took E sublingually. It was a double dose. I had already taken <dosage removed by moderator> orally, and decided that since it apparently wasn't doing anything I might as well try sublingual -- and took another <dosage removed by moderator> right after. I think it was about an hour or two later that I was sitting at work and spacing out. I got an attack of the sillies. I never double-dosed again, and the experience never repeated. But these experiences make me wonder. Is my brain responding to E because it's a female brain? It's starting to look that way. As I say, I've never been a fan of the idea that being trans is simply a matter of brain chemistry; but that it can be, I'll certainly buy that. It does fit in with my experience at puberty, for sure.

This is so cool. I hope I'm right about this, because that means this is forever.

[AnnMarie2017]

I asked someone, a layperson, about E build-up over time; and she gave me the image of a bathtub with an open drain. As you keep taking your E, it will build up faster than it drains out. That's what I suspected.

I wonder, though I'm not anxious about it at this point, why it took so long for this to happen. As I mentioned previously, I initially took my E religiously for about six weeks and detected no effects. The first time I felt something was when I double-dosed; and then, switching to sublingual, I didn't feel it again. This continued for eight months. Then, at my doctor's request, I switched back to oral, because sublingual was creating huge peaks and low valleys, and he wanted to see if oral would create a more level concentration of E in my blood.

He told me to do this for one month, then test again. I had my blood drawn today; should have the results tomorrow.  This lab is private and fast. I think I'm going to find what he wants to see. Anyway, yesterday it was a couple of hours after I took my wake-up dose of E before I felt what I felt. Today, I'm just sort of floating as I get ready for work. I'm not out in space, by any means; I'm just ... "floaty."

I wonder what I would have experienced if I hadn't switched.

Again, this is so cool.