Sublingual vs Injected

[NancyDrew1930]

I don't see my clinician for a few months, however I am thinking of asking to be switched from sublingual pills to injections.

I'm just wondering what others who have switched from pills to injection found.  I've read that the injections tend to provide more feminization than just being on pills does.

[Lori Dee]

The difference is in what is known as "first pass". Oral medications must first pass through the liver before getting into the bloodstream. This means that higher doses are required to achieve optimum levels in the blood.

Injections and even patches bypass the liver, so lower doses are more effective at maintaining those levels.

I had issues with oral and switched to patches. My levels continued to be too low. Between my Primary doctor, Endocrinologists, and Gynecologist, we figured out that I metabolize hormones very quickly. So my body was processing and eliminating them before they could reach optimum levels.

Now that we figured that out, I was switched to injections. So far, three lab tests show my levels are exactly where they need to be. I have another lab appointment tomorrow, so we will see when those results come back in a couple of weeks.

I hope this information is helpful.

[Chloe]

I'm just wondering what others who have switched from pills to injection found. 

If switching be sure to have doc check "Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)" -> 202 H[ (Reference Range: 22-77 nmol/L) mine was wayyy too high due "pills" thus the lower you can it the more effective injections will eventually be (ie: was on extreme low injection dose until this came down)

[NancyDrew1930]

The difference is in what is known as "first pass". Oral medications must first pass through the liver before getting into the bloodstream. This means that higher doses are required to achieve optimum levels in the blood.

Injections and even patches bypass the liver, so lower doses are more effective at maintaining those levels.

I had issues with oral and switched to patches. My levels continued to be too low. Between my Primary doctor, Endocrinologists, and Gynecologist, we figured out that I metabolize hormones very quickly. So my body was processing and eliminating them before they could reach optimum levels.

Now that we figured that out, I was switched to injections. So far, three lab tests show my levels are exactly where they need to be. I have another lab appointment tomorrow, so we will see when those results come back in a couple of weeks.

I hope this information is helpful.

Isn't the first pass for is you are swallowing the pills, not dissolving them under your tongue?

[ChrissyRyan]

I have been doing sublingual for a number of years.

[Northern Star Girl]

@NancyDrew1930   cc: @Chloe
You are very correct with your statement and advice:

Sublingually administered medications are dissolved underneath the tongue before
passing directly into the bloodstream. Unlike swallowed oral medications, they
don't have to pass through the GI tract or liver. This means they work quickly and
aren't affected by how well the GI tract or liver works.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Isn't the first pass for is you are swallowing the pills, not dissolving them under your tongue?

[Myranda]

Hi @Nancy!

I was on sublingual estrogen for about 3 or 4 years, when I made the switch to injections.  Looking back on it, I recall feeling like the switch restarted development, or at least gave it a good boost.  I feel like I had stalled out, and shortly after the switch, my chest started to feel itchy and achy again, all signs that things were re-awaking again and growth was happening again.  In the 5 years since (damn it's been 5 years?!?) I feel like my breasts are continuing to continue to grow and develop, slowly but steadily and filling out a bit. 

As for other changes, I can't say that I have really noticed any other changes.  Though it has definitely shrunk and doesn't really get hard anymore, thank god!

[Lori Dee]

Looking back on it, I recall feeling like the switch restarted development, or at least gave it a good boost.  I feel like I had stalled out, and shortly after the switch, my chest started to feel itchy and achy again, all signs that things were re-awaking again and growth was happening again.  In the 5 years since (damn it's been 5 years?!?) I feel like my breasts are continuing to continue to grow and develop, slowly but steadily and filling out a bit.

That has been my experience, too, when I switched from patches to injections. By changing progesterone to three times daily, the breasts are also becoming more shapely. I love it.