Does pellet therapy even work?

[lia_li]

Because of the constant headache and shortage of trying to getting generic EV injections, I changed over to BioTE pellets a month ago and my E levels actually went down!

So, I was off of EV injections for 5 weeks and my E levels were at 109 pg/ml and my T level was at 14.8

After getting pellets a month ago, my E level is now at 79 pg/ml and my T level is 25, so my E level actually went down and my T went up!

I was wondering why I was so depressed recently, I think it has to do in large part to my levels. At this point, I'm wondering if pellets even work. 

If someone is on pellets, could you PM me your dosage, I want to get an idea of whether it's just not working for me or I need a higher dosage. The doctor I go to isn't very familiar with trans patients so we're doing this through trial and error. If it doesn't help, I'm just going to go back to injections.

[Dani]

Bio TE is a trade mark name for a whole series of nutritional and hormone products. The only product that will get you where you need to be is the Estradiol pellets. This product is not approved by the FDA. It must be compounded locally for a single patient. To find out how much Estradiol you were given in each pellet, you must ask the prescriber or the pharmacist who compounded the prescription.

I am a little confused about the blood levels you mentioned. Estradiol blood levels are measured in pg/ml or pmol/L. These are completely different units and the pmol/L is typically 4 times the number of pg/ml for the same blood sample.

Either way, your reported blood levels are low and I would make another appointment with your doctor especially since you are having symptoms of depression.

[lia_li]

Yes, I'm aware of the differences with pg/ml and pmol/L and my current E levels are at 79 pg/ml and they seem to be much lower than I'm used to. My levels actually went down after using pellets.

Also, yes, I am on BioTE brand Estrogen pellet therapy. Each of the pellets are made at 15mg but I won't disclose how many pellets since it's against TOS.

My levels are very low, my main concern is if pellet therapy in and of itself actually works or is it more so something that works for some, not for others type of thing. At this point, pellet therapy seems useless for me.

I'm going back to the doctor and getting more pellets inserted but I feel that at this point, it might be pointless and honestly, my constant bouts of depression and sudden need to cry all the time is so debilitating....

[PurplePelican]

Yes, generally implants/pellets are effective, it's why they are also used for things like birth control. However, a quick search did reveal some complaints about that particular company - poor results, bad dosing, low absorption.

I am a little confused about the blood levels you mentioned. Estradiol blood levels are measured in pg/ml or pmol/L. These are completely different units and the pmol/L is typically 4 times the number of pg/ml for the same blood sample.

When I see a nonsense unit attached to a hormone level, I assume a typo and look at the number and can generally work out what the mangled unit was supposed to be.

[lia_li]

Hmm....would you be able to link or PM those complaints? I can't seem to find much on biote and would like to read up on it a bit.

When I see a nonsense unit attached to a hormone level, I assume a typo and look at the number and can generally work out what the mangled unit was supposed to be.

Also, now I'm a bit confused, in my original post and my follow up, I mentioned that my blood levels were at 79 pg/ml and not pmol/L. I'm confused about why others are confused with my blood levels. Am I missing something?

I'm normally at 300+ pg/ml when I'm on injections.

[AnonyMs]

I use pellets/implants and my levels are usually around 800-1000 pmol/L at 9-12 months after insertion. I get new ones at 800 or so, and I generally feel pretty bad at such low levels. There's another US company that makes them, College Pharmacy.

I'd be interested in seeing any compliants about BioTE.

[PurplePelican]

I use pellets/implants and my levels are usually around 800-1000 pmol/L at 9-12 months after insertion. I get new ones at 800 or so, and I generally feel pretty bad at such low levels. There's another US company that makes them, College Pharmacy.

I'd be interested in seeing any compliants about BioTE.

Further reading shows the complaints tend to be more related to the docs using the product.

[lia_li]

Thank you AnonyMs! I got your message, sorry I can't reply yet!

Thanks again!!

[AnonyMs]

Further reading shows the complaints tend to be more related to the docs using the product.

Could you pm me a link?

[KayXo]

I've read several studies on pellets and yours (an individual pellet) seems VERY low. Maybe this is the problem...Check with doctor please.

[lia_li]

Yeah, I'm working with a doctor who doesn't seem to be very familiar with trans care so I'm scheduled to double my dosage of pellets tomorrow.

The thing is, apparently, my dose is pretty low so I was starting to wonder if pellets were working or if I just need to go back to EV injections. Delestrogen after insurance is about $210 every 50 days or so, where as the pellets are running me at close to $500 every 110 days.

[PurplePelican]

Yeah, I'm working with a doctor who doesn't seem to be very familiar with trans care so I'm scheduled to double my dosage of pellets tomorrow.

The thing is, apparently, my dose is pretty low so I was starting to wonder if pellets were working or if I just need to go back to EV injections. Delestrogen after insurance is about $210 every 50 days or so, where as the pellets are running me at close to $500 every 110 days.

Personally, if I were you, I'd be going back to the injectables..