MTF HRT stops working after years?!

[HaleyVale]

I just write this again because I havent got any helpful response and I'm really looking desperately for one.

For over a year the good effects I got from mtf hrt declined and partially reversed :
- more body hair, especially on breasts and back / butt. they were blonde first and very tiny but some of them now get darker and  longer.
- lose of hair on my head. this got a little better again.
- lose of female fat distribution, shrinking breasts ( though I havent lost weight)
this also has an very appearant effect on my face, which passed perfectly after tge first year of hrt.


Not just I notice this, but my friends, my family and my boyfriend, who is very honest, loving and caring, but it isnt easy for him with a girlfriend getting slightly more manly every day.
I looked and cried out for help: my endo doesnt take me seriously bc my hormone levels are in normal female rang. though they suddenly peaked very high on 10 times the normal amount ( 5 hours after application of gybokadin gel) - I was on this dose still for a while and nobody could expain me why suddenly there was such an incredible high amount. the coming tests were also quite high until my dose was reduced to a third. I also was on spirinolactone for most of the time and now switched to androcur because of low blood pressure and dry skin. it helped in this regard and my testosterone is still far under the recommended female levels.
shgb is a little elevated
prolactine is elevated and I have milk coming out of my breasts- but my doctorsays this isnt problematic yet.
my thyroid is also ok, I havent lost weight, bht lost this female fat distribution completely. I am non op and want to get orchiectomy soon.
I take buprenorphine on a low dose for opioid substitution and do for a while, but tge doctors I spoke to in the clinic told me, that while opiod can induce endocrinologicsl problems, this isnt something affecting trans people who have an exogene hormone supply. I dont do drugs, dont drink, dont smoke and dont take any other medication.

What else could it be? I read alot about possible damage to the receptors, about estriol/ estrone imbalance through which estradiol could induce even androgenic effects. But again my endo doesnt even care lookong for it. bloodworks kinda okayish > everything is allright.

it isnt. please take me serious and dont question if I really go through all of the described. I have to and it gets worse every day. I feel glad for you if yourtransition goes well, mine has gone too until itsuddenly changed and gradually worsened.

<Moderator Edit:no dosages please>

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Haley!

Welcome to Susan's Place.  We normally try to give an official welcome when a new member first posts.  I am sorry that you slipped under the radar.

Sorry, I can't help you with your hormone question.  It sounds like your endo needs help.  Can you ask her for a referral to someone more experienced?  Obviously there is something going on, and you need some sleuthing by a specialist to figure out what it is.

Please feel free to stop by the Introductions forum to tell the members about yourself.  Here is some information that we like to share with new members:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[Kirsteneklund7]

I just write this again because I havent got any helpful response and I'm really looking desperately for one.

For over a year the good effects I got from mtf hrt declined and partially reversed :
- more body hair, especially on breasts and back / butt. they were blonde first and very tiny but some of them now get darker and  longer.
- lose of hair on my head. this got a little better again.
- lose of female fat distribution, shrinking breasts ( though I havent lost weight)
this also has an very appearant effect on my face, which passed perfectly after tge first year of hrt.


Not just I notice this, but my friends, my family and my boyfriend, who is very honest, loving and caring, but it isnt easy for him with a girlfriend getting slightly more manly every day.
I looked and cried out for help: my endo doesnt take me seriously bc my hormone levels are in normal female rang. though they suddenly peaked very high on 10 times the normal amount ( 5 hours after application of gybokadin gel) - I was on this dose still for a while and nobody could expain me why suddenly there was such an incredible high amount. the coming tests were also quite high until my dose was reduced to a third. I also was on spirinolactone for most of the time and now switched to androcur because of low blood pressure and dry skin. it helped in this regard and my testosterone is still far under the recommended female levels.
shgb is a little elevated
prolactine is elevated and I have milk coming out of my breasts- but my doctorsays this isnt problematic yet.
my thyroid is also ok, I havent lost weight, bht lost this female fat distribution completely. I am non op and want to get orchiectomy soon.
I take buprenorphine on a low dose for opioid substitution and do for a while, but tge doctors I spoke to in the clinic told me, that while opiod can induce endocrinologicsl problems, this isnt something affecting trans people who have an exogene hormone supply. I dont do drugs, dont drink, dont smoke and dont take any other medication.

What else could it be? I read alot about possible damage to the receptors, about estriol/ estrone imbalance through which estradiol could induce even androgenic effects. But again my endo doesnt even care lookong for it. bloodworks kinda okayish > everything is allright.

it isnt. please take me serious and dont question if I really go through all of the described. I have to and it gets worse every day. I feel glad for you if yourtransition goes well, mine has gone too until itsuddenly changed and gradually worsened.

<Moderator Edit:no dosages please>

Hi HaleyVale,
                         My prescibing doctor tells me if you have an estrogen receptor saturation scenario then you have to go off hormones for a period and then restart on a recommended schedule to "reboot the bodys uptake of estrogen.

This may not be your situation but food for thought
  This can happen with self medicators( not you ) that have overdosed and the whole hormone program must be started from scratch.

         Kirsten.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[StacyRenee]

Something that might be happening, aromatization of estrogen converts it to testosterone. I don't fully understand how this happens, but I think it has to do with very high levels of estrogen.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[pamelatransuk]

Hello Haley and Welcome to Susans.

I have read both your posts here on Transgender Talk Board and I really wish I could offer advice on your problem.

Please forgive me but all I can suggest is that you copy your post above to the "Hormone Replacement Therapy" Board as more of our members really familiar with HRT or medical matters in general should see your post there and hopefully advise you.

I hope you find resolution.

Hugs

Pamela 

[Colleen_definitely]

Something that might be happening, aromatization of estrogen converts it to testosterone. I don't fully understand how this happens, but I think it has to do with very high levels of estrogen.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

You're thinking of the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.  There's an aromatase enzyme that does a bit of rearrangement to make a phenol out of the cyclohexenone end of testosterone by reducing the ketone and lopping off a methyl group.

With biochemistry if you're not sure of how something worked just wave your hands and say enzymes did it.  You end up being right more often than not.

So as far as going the reverse direction?  <hand waving> "enzymes"

[sandrauk]

It sounds like you are changing your medication based on your levels.
Why not just change back to what  you took that was successful?

I have found that transitioning is not a linear path and I have been back and forth across the passing line when I adjust things

I have been on E for seven years (nothing else) and like you I was passing well after 2 years (I'm 67 now). After 3 years I had a stroke which I found a big setback, to the extent of people bursting out laughing when they saw me dressed.

Another year later and I'd recovered and was back to passing and male fail. Then I switched to injections from Estrofem and I could see masculinising and male fail stopped.

I switched back to E (pills) and the brand to Progynova. I was back to male fail. Then I increased the dose and male fail stopped again.  Now I've reduced and the male fail has returned.

It's my transition and I take responsibility for it

To do that I monitor the output :

Breast size, I'm a 36DD and still growing (no BA)
Male fail when I dress andro (this changes the most)
hip size I'm 36 waist and 44 hip
Hair regrowth has been amazing and is the thing people comment on most
Shoe size, Size 8 to 7
Libido  (100% to zero) which is why I've never taken an AA
I have no beard at all since I did my own electrolysis 25/30 years ago, but when things are out of kilter I will notice 1 stray black hair appearing from nowhere.

I also decided I was far too thin and decided to push my BMI from 19 to 25 once I overcame my weight obsession.

Even though there have been setbacks things have generally progressed forwards.

Hope things turn out for you. From experience most girls your age turn out amazing and you are far too hard on yourselves.

[AnneK]

Breast size, I'm a 36DD and still growing (no BA)

WOW!  That's a bit more than I'm hoping for.

[Northern Star Girl]

@HaleyVale 
Oh, and another thing HaleyVale...
As our lovely member @KathyLauren suggested in her Welcome Message to you, please plan to write a brief introduction
in the Introductions Forum so that other members will be aware of your arrival... therefore you will be able to share your thoughts with more members here.
Welcome to Susan's Place and being involved in the Forums here.
Best wishes to you,
Danielle
NOTE: Now after all of this Greeting Stuff I will let everyone have this thread back so that the exchange of conversation can continue.
Other members here will certainly be along to give you their comments and suggestions that you may be seeking

[HaleyVale]

Thanks for the welcoming <3

I'm on a business travel right now, so I couldnt respond earlier. As recommended I'll copy my post to the hrt board.
But does someone here now if receptors could have been irreperabele damaged? is it always possible to reset hrt with not taking it for a while? My endo is very lazy and unprofessional, but I sadly dont have another option, but informing me and possibly doing it my own way.. How long should I pause estradiol then? is a reduction also upregulating the receptors?

thank you so much, this is at least a new idea.

oh and I wrote in the introduction board a while ago.