My Hormones Aren't Working

[Robin C.]

I've searched for days all over the internet and I can't find anything like this and I'm getting extremely depressed about it.  I want to know if this is normal. I'm taking oral hormones and I was doing just fine for a while but suddenly it feels like the hormones that I'm taking has just stopped having any effect. I'm a patient person and I know it takes time, but when I wake up in recent days I'm positive that the hair on my face has grown faster, my skin gets leathery, my face gets more masculine, and I'm even starting to have what resemble morning erections - but I take my hormones every day. Please, can someone help me?

[Sephirah]

Would it be possible to go and see your doctor to get your hormone levels checked?

[vanna]

How long on your current regime hunny and have you had a blood test for levels?

[Robin C.]

I try to avoid that if I can. It's near impossible to get in a consultation and going to the endocrinologist [quite a ways away] is a bit of a struggle considering I don't have a car - I would put my family through too much trouble. I've been on hormones for about 2 and 1/2 months now.

I just want to know if anyone has experienced anything similar to this.

[vanna]

To a greater and lesser degree yes almost everyone experiences it. You need to blood test and see what needs increasing or decreasing.

Otherwise its all just speculation and worry for nothing.

[Robin C.]

To a greater and lesser degree yes almost everyone experiences it. You need to blood test and see what needs increasing or decreasing.

Otherwise its all just speculation and worry for nothing.

Thank you. I truly don't know what to expect doing this. Thanks for the response.

[almost,angie]

  Yes! Absolutly I`m struggling with this right now. My E levels back in May were over 250 and has been slowly droping from then. The last time I went to the dr. my levels were 14  . So now I`m on more E than most everone takes. I take orals tabs. My dr. said that if it doesn`t rise we will be switching to injectibles.
  I`ve been taking hormones for a year today.

Go see a dr. you have to have your levels checked. Do not increase your dosage without bloodwork first.  Angie,

[Janet_Girl]

My Doctor goes by how you are feeling.  He says what is a blood test going to tell me that you can't.  But the next time I go see him, I am going to ask for a test.  Just to know my self.

[SusanK]

I try to avoid that if I can. It's near impossible to get in a consultation and going to the endocrinologist [quite a ways away] is a bit of a struggle considering I don't have a car - I would put my family through too much trouble. I've been on hormones for about 2 and 1/2 months now.

And you would believe us if we said it was normal? Depending on the dosage level, something you shouldn't explicitly say (that's between you and your physician), it will take 6-12 months before you see any initial significant change and 12-24 months before you see any real longterm change. What you're seeing is simply the initial rush of hormones and the body's immediate adjustment, and now you'll see the slower progression, probably in short periods of change and no change.

Normally your physician will take blood tests after about 3-4 months and every year. This allows them to see the effects and with you make any adjustment. But Janet is right. You're the best judge of your physical and mental health and fitness on hormones.

[Robin C.]

What you're seeing is simply the initial rush of hormones and the body's immediate adjustment, and now you'll see the slower progression, probably in short periods of change and no change.

If that was the case then I would be fine - a stand still isn't what I'm experiencing so much as a reversal. My body hair decreased, my skin softened, and much of what was supposed to happen happened sooner than I expected it to. Now I've suddenly begun to regress - not something you want to happen considering that hormones aren't exactly cheap. I might have to move on to injectables. I've read so many other trans women having problems with it.

[Flan]

I agree with the suggestion to go see a doctor, (or better yet, an endocrinologist) only with blood work will it be known if SHGB or some sort of thyroid issue going on which is preventing oestrogen from working its magic.

[Fox]

Ok first question are you talking a T blocker with your E hormones. I rember reading in the past that if you subject the male body to to much estrogen to fast witrhout blocking Test then sometimes the body will produce even more Test to overcome the amount of estrogen. As for everyone elses advice couldn't agree more go see a profesional

[deniz]

two things might be happening.
1) you don;t take antiadrogen
2) your pills are fake (internet bought).

[Robin C.]

Ok first question are you talking a T blocker with your E hormones. I rember reading in the past that if you subject the male body to to much estrogen to fast witrhout blocking Test then sometimes the body will produce even more Test to overcome the amount of estrogen. As for everyone elses advice couldn't agree more go see a profesional

I take an anti-androgen - but that does sound most plausible. At some point I started taking the anti-androgen in the morning and later an estrogen at night. If that theory is correct then that makes more sense. I have a prescription for my hormones /anti-androgen pills and I get them at a pharmacy so I know they're real.

[vanna]

Most people do their hrt in split doses so you dont have too many lows.

I.e get a pill cutter and divide your AA for morning and night if its only one tab. Not sure the way you take your E but i also do mine morning night.
7am / 7pm works very well for me.

[SusanK]

Most people do their hrt in split doses so you dont have too many lows.

That's the overlooked advice. All of the hormones have a half-life which is far short of 24 hours and depending on the initial dosage, you may, as suggested, seeing the body working in two different directions during the day, one to change (female) after taking and one to stay (male) later. This is overcome by splitting the dosage, either getting half-dosage pills (just ask physician) or splitting them in two. This won't have the same effect as the one higher dosage but balance them through the day.

[agnieszka]

hello,

since six years i take hormiones, and i´m not really feminize. I´m without hóddden.

iits very personal from me. I am searcing help!


Removed dosage information ~Leia

[Robin C.]

Most people do their hrt in split doses so you dont have too many lows.

That's the overlooked advice. All of the hormones have a half-life which is far short of 24 hours and depending on the initial dosage, you may, as suggested, seeing the body working in two different directions during the day, one to change (female) after taking and one to stay (male) later. This is overcome by splitting the dosage, either getting half-dosage pills (just ask physician) or splitting them in two. This won't have the same effect as the one higher dosage but balance them through the day.

Actually, the weird thing is, I started out taking hormones with that idea. I took one anti-androgen in the morning and another along with the estrogen in the evening. I thought it wasn't doing much because I kept giving my body weaker doses. I figured if I give my body one strong dose by taking both androgens and estrogen in the morning every day, it should work better.

[vanna]

Hi robin

In theory i see what your driving at but as Susan also pointed out your body is pulling in two direction's at this early stage of your transition. Once more suppressions taken place that could well be okay for you if its inconvenient to your lifestyle to split dose's.

Generally speaking though, its better to have a constant level for development rather than spikes.

[Renate]

Hi Agnieszka:

since six years i take hormiones, and i´m not really feminize. I´m without hóddden.

(That is, without testicles.)

Are you under the care of a doctor? Do you know what your estrogen levels are?