Pamela's HRT Record

[pamelatransuk]

Dear Linde, Julie and Donica

Thank you for your kind words and support and good luck Linde with matching or exceeding my E level of 558 (Intl) 152 (US).

Hugs

Pamela  xx

[Linde]

Dear Linde, Julie and Donica

Thank you for your kind words and support and good luck Linde with matching or exceeding my E level of 558 (Intl) 152 (US).

Hugs

Pamela  xx

I don't know what my T level will be, but very likely identical to a natal female.  I personally think I should take a higher dose of E than I am taking now, because I have some spare pills, and I doubled my dose for the weekend, and I feel way better with this higher dose.  I hope I can convince my endo of this, so he prescribes a higher dose for me!

[Kirsteneklund7]

Extra estrogen always feels good but my prescibing doctor tells me that one must be careful not to saturate the receptors. If we do the feminisation process grinds to a halt.
Kirsten x

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[Northern Star Girl]

Extra estrogen always feels good but my prescibing doctor tells me that one must be careful not to saturate the receptors. If we do the feminisation process grinds to a halt.
Kirsten x

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@Kirsteneklund7
Dear Kirsten:
You are a smart girl for following your doctor's advice regarding the prescribed estrogen.  Thank you for sharing this wise advice.

Like many things in life... trying to do things more quickly with a bigger hammer, or in the case of HRT with higher dosages does not always have the desired effect.
 
There are many reports here on the forums from transitioning members regarding their conversations with their Endo/doctor that "slowly and carefully" while frequently monitoring blood test results, is a safer and more effective route to the effects of MTF feminization...   too large of doses of Estrogen can perhaps be an impediment and might hamper breast growth and perhaps other changes in the long run.

One thing is for sure....
...we should not ever think that our internet Google searches take the place of our doctor's medical degree.

Again, thanks for posting your wise thoughts.
Hugs,
Danielle

[Linde]

Extra estrogen always feels good but my prescibing doctor tells me that one must be careful not to saturate the receptors. If we do the feminisation process grinds to a halt.
Kirsten x

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I am aware of this, and that is the reason that I am talking with my doc about it.  I did the double dose (still way less  than many take), to find out if E would help me to overcome the absolute loss o energy, and it did.
I feel great currently!
One has to consider that E did mostly nothing to my feminisation process so far, and all the points that make me look feminin were triggered by my intersex condition.  Higher E might, in fact, help a little with that process, too.
But I will also discuss this with my endocrinologist.

[Kirsteneklund7]

I am aware of this, and that is the reason that I am talking with my doc about it.  I did the double dose (still way less  than many take), to find out if E would help me to overcome the absolute loss o energy, and it did.
I feel great currently!
One has to consider that E did mostly nothing to my feminisation process so far, and all the points that make me look feminin were triggered by my intersex condition.  Higher E might, in fact, help a little with that process, too.
But I will also discuss this with my endocrinologist.

I know you are from a medical background Linde and most likely know more about this than me!

I realize you are using an endocrinologist for this

I would be interested to learn how things pan out for you with hormone blood level and feminization results.

Kirsten x.

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[Linde]

I know you are from a medical background Linde and most likely know more about this than me!

I realize you are using an endocrinologist for this

I would be interested to learn how things pan out for you with hormone blood level and feminization results.

Kirsten x.

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I will keep you all informed.  We are all part of this experiment how to turn an old guy into an old woman (with young boobs)

I still feel not much from estrogen (except seemingly higher energy level with he higher dose) and even more emotions than I had already  - call it cry baby!

Spiro and I did not go well with each other, it made me feel lethargic and absolutely listless to do anything

The only positive effect I feel from the orchi is that I don't need to take spiro anymore.
Pain and discomfort were minimal.  I exchanged the packing for a maxi pad, because i still have a little wound spotting, which is no wonder from this area that has super high blood supply.
Maxi pads are actually pretty comfy to wear, and done right, I can even create a camel toe appearance with them  !

I should know more with my estrogen by tomorrow.  The doc was out and the nurse will ask him tomorrow and let me know.

[Kirsteneklund7]

@Kirsteneklund7
Dear Kirsten:
You are a smart girl for following your doctor's advice regarding the prescribed estrogen.  Thank you for sharing this wise advice.

Like many things in life... trying to do things more quickly with a bigger hammer, or in the case of HRT with higher dosages does not always have the desired effect.
 
There are many reports here on the forums from transitioning members regarding their conversations with their Endo/doctor that "slowly and carefully" while frequently monitoring blood test results, is a safer and more effective route to the effects of MTF feminization...   too large of doses of Estrogen can perhaps be an impediment and might hamper breast growth and perhaps other changes in the long run.

One thing is for sure....
...we should not ever think that our internet Google searches take the place of our doctor's medical degree.

Again, thanks for posting your wise thoughts.
Hugs,
Danielle

Hi Danielle,
                      I think I am a wiser girl these days! In 2015 when my gender identity was unravelling, I was getting desperate and was only getting negative feedback from the medical establishment - I started black market hormones.

Luckily a trans friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a newly opened specialist clinic. Blood tests, endocrinologist, professional advice followed.

I discovered better hormones at better prices with better professional advice !

If I had my time again I would have  sought out a prescribing doctor at the start! I never realized how helpful doctors can be if they actually know what trans is !

Yours truly, Kirsten.

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[pamelatransuk]

Dear Danielle, Kirsten and Linde

I do not doubt what you state for a minute on this interesting subject of "Increasing E Dosage" such that we should always follow our doctor's/endo's advice as of course we are doing.

I have read many times that saturation can occur if the E dosage is too high making presumably the excess dosage at least pointless and possibly an impediment to further progress.

It appears to be still a learning curve for many in the medical profession as so many factors need to be taken into account in determining and amending E dosages including ones own genetics, other female relatives, method of HRT, previous E&T BT results and timing of BT.

Whereas I agree absolutely about always following medical advice  - obviously better still from someone experienced with trans patients - I am truly surprised how different feminization can be for us. Not only do the BT readings vary so much but the degree and timing of feminization varies so much too.

I think we all have much to learn and a good place to learn is from so many of us providing our feminization examples and timing (if we wish to voluntarily) here on Susans' HRT Board and I thank you for that.

Hugs to all

Pamela  xx

[Kirsteneklund7]

Dear Danielle, Kirsten and Linde

I do not doubt what you state for a minute on this interesting subject of "Increasing E Dosage" such that we should always follow our doctor's/endo's advice as of course we are doing.

I have read many times that saturation can occur if the E dosage is too high making presumably the excess dosage at least pointless and possibly an impediment to further progress.

It appears to be still a learning curve for many in the medical profession as so many factors need to be taken into account in determining and amending E dosages including ones own genetics, other female relatives, method of HRT, previous E&T BT results and timing of BT.

Whereas I agree absolutely about always following medical advice  - obviously better still from someone experienced with trans patients - I am truly surprised how different feminization can be for us. Not only do the BT readings vary so much but the degree and timing of feminization varies so much too.

I think we all have much to learn and a good place to learn is from so many of us providing our feminization examples and timing (if we wish to voluntarily) here on Susans' HRT Board and I thank you for that.

Hugs to all

Pamela  xx

Great post Pamela! Comparing notes on your HRT board is a fantastic resource as well.

I would love to know how trans women progress on a monthly cycling program with progesterone in the mix. I wonder if the natural high of estrogen every month plus the falling away of concentration keeps all the receptors engaged for maximum feminisation ? Also I wonder if the monthly dose of progesterone in the regimen accelerates breast growth?

There must be a transwoman on Susans who could comment on a monthly cycling regimen.

Yours truly & with PMT,  Kirsten.[emoji141]

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[Linde]

I am continuing my self experiment, and am on the low "normal" dose of estrogen again since yesterday.  I want to see if I go down into the low energy condition again.  For me, the best feminizing has no value, if i can't get going to do anything!
I feminized OK without any exterior estrogen, and went the HRT route only to speed the process up a little.  That has not happened yet, and now having zero testosterone around, I feel that my hormone level is way to low, in reality , no matter what the endo says, because he has not to live inside my skin!
I might be an absolutely new type person for him (he is supposed to be THE trans endo around the entire area, had even a big newspaper write up), who knows?
I am medically trained well enough to watch for possible signs of problems, and can take immediate counter measures if indicated.  But I also know enough about my body (which is used to decades of self experimenting, this is what one does as a first step in the lab, nobody wants to openly admit it) that I can identify any upcoming problems pretty fast, and take appropriate measures.

I think my natural feminizing will continue in it's slow pace until I have finished puberty.  It might go even a little bit faster now that there is no testosterone around anymore, but I need additional hormones now, to be able to function.

  And that is what the endo has to provide me with!

[pamelatransuk]

Thank you Kirsten. You are so kind.

Yes there is indeed a really helpful contact in respect of your cycling query for you. On my "Comparison" thread please see my post dated February 19th. Judith is a very good contact for Progesterone if you wish to check the "Periodlike Symptoms" thread also please.

Hugs

Pamela

[pamelatransuk]

Hello Everyone

You may noticed my comment dated March 12th on the "Progesterone is Important" thread here on HRT Board which I now quote:

"Purely by coincidence I decided in February to raise the possibility of starting Progesterone with my Endo mainly for the reason of having no areolae increase but also because I have previously had poor bone density (osteoporosis).

My Endo has been considering taking my medical history and recent Blood tests into account, and I shall be starting on Progesterone (Utrogestan) in the next few days."

Hence my current medication consists of daily Finasteride and Progesterone (meaning not cycled at present), E patches changed after 84 hours and Decapeptyl/Triptorelin injection every 12 weeks.

There are three aspects worthy of note this month. My sense of smell has improved such that I can appreciate the strength of a smell more whether it is pleasant (eg perfume) or unpleasant (unpleasant bodies when I sit close in a room to someone who could have taken more care!). I have continued to feel hungrier especially in the evening with the addition of actually enjoying the food more; before HRT I was mainly eating for the purpose of feeling full whereas now that is secondary to appreciating the taste. Thirdly I feel pains in my boobs in the morning which seems to agree with the customary belief that one gains growth more after 8/9 months and my growth was minor before October but has been significant since October.

I told you last time of the upcoming UK Meet Up which is held biannually in different parts of UK. I was nervous for a couple of weeks before but OTOH I can honestly say I never had the slightest inclination to cancel/ not attend it on Saturday March 16th. For the benefit of those not familiar with the geography of UK, this one was held in Manchester which is in the NW and I also live in the NW in Liverpool and hence only had to make a short journey by train. The weather was atrocious with high winds and rain and flooding for my first trip outside my home city as Pamela. However I did it, travelling as Pamela and meeting so many British Susans Members for lunch and a few drinks afterwards. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day; I had conquered my nerves before traveling and we had a wonderful time together discussing so much both trans and non-trans related. I made some friends there who gave me great encouragement and support.

This event has given me great confidence to come out and live fulltime as Pamela as soon as my house is sold; I have not had doubts about coming out in Summer for a long time but I knew I had to cross another embarrassment barrier - in my opinion being seen close up on a train is different to being seen in my home town by neighbours or passers by who are not in such close proximity. You can see a photo of the 6 of us who attended on the UK Meet Up 2019 thread on the Transgender Talk Board.

Next update in April when I may see if I have felt anything pursuant to Progesterone (Utrogestan) but I realize that will probably take more time.

Hugs to all

Pamela  xx

[Julie -2010]

Pamela,

  I'm glad the OTOH went well.  Sounds like it really upped your confidence.  I happy for you.

I'm going to an trans event in Las Vegas soon and I will be travelling as Julie on the plane.  My first time as the real me.  I'm nervous but I also can't wait.

thanks for the update.

Julie

[pamelatransuk]

Thank you Julie for your kind words of support.

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Las Vegas.

I note your home town is Westminster; there are so many towns and cities in both our great countries which share the same name.

Hugs

Pamela  xx

[Julie -2010]

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Las Vegas.

I note your home town is Westminster; there are so many towns and cities in both our great countries which share the same name.

Pamela,

  I think I'll have a fun in vegas.  I'm running a couple of the events that happen during the week since I'm trying to put myself out there more to meet people.

Yes, Westminster is used a lot around the world.  Here in Westminster, Colorado a lot of our parks are named after cities and sites in England.  Probably a sister city thing, maybe.

Take care,

Julie

[Sophiaprincess2019]

Hey Julie, I used to live in Northglenn, CO years ago, small world!

Sophia

[Julie -2010]

Hey Julie, I used to live in Northglenn, CO years ago, small world!

Sophia

So cool.  It's probably changed a lot since.  I bike thru the city all the time.

Julie

[Linde]

I got my test results to today, taken about month after my orchi  The LabCorp computer must have been wondering what was going on, cause it put the typical female comparisons to my tests results!
I have 1.5 ng/dl of Dihydrotestosterone, and I am low in that, a typical adult female has 4 - 22 ng/dl
I have 5 ng/dl of testosterone, serum, typical would be 3 - 41 g/dl
I have 139. pg/ml Estradiol and am in the ovulation phase of a female which would be 85.8 - 498.0 22 pg/ml

I do think I have to watch out to not get to close with men, because I don't want to get pregnant, being in the ovulation phase and all!

Bumping me up to the double dose of E basically also doubled my Estradiol levels in my blood.  I wonder if it would go up by 50% now if I would add 1/3 more dose during the day?
What if I would need to make the decision between the same amount of estrogen with added progesterone, or no progesterone and more estrogen?

Testosterone will not play any role anymore, considering that I am even low for natal female conditions.  That seems all my adrenal glans seem to be able to produce, fine with me!
I am really wondering what else the orchi will do for me besides giving me low T and the desire to wear skirts and dresses instead of pants?
My boobs seem to still grow with the same speed they did for several years now (watching grass grow is more exciting and faster paced), they still hurt as they did for quite some time now.  At least I can get some mileage out of the bras I am buying!

[pamelatransuk]

Thank you Linde for your most interesting post above which I have copied to my "Comparison" thread and I have added your results to the table therein.

I shall be updating this thread with monthly update shortly.

Hugs

Pamela