Subcutaneous estrogen pellets as HRT?

[MaggieB]

A couple of my trans friends have switched to estrogen pellets implanted under the skin every 4 months.  They seem to like the results but I am skeptical because of the claims made by the doctor that they will lose weight, grow bigger breasts, redistribute fat and more in only a couple months.  He advocates using mega does of estrogen and NO spiro or anti-androgen at all. In fact, he says that an orchi is not needed with this regimen. He says that mega does of Estrogen are perfectly safe and most doctors are being overly cautious about prescribing this level of estrogen.  It costs $250 plus $60 per pellet and up to 9 are used at a time. No blood estrogen levels or general blood panel tests are done.


If it is so good, why aren't all of us on this regimen? Does anyone have experience with this scheme? 


Maggie

[Miniar]

Every time anyone, doctor or not, states that there are "no" adverse effects at all to any drug.. it raises red flags in my head. I'd at least get a second opinion.

[Sandy]

Maggie:

I have to admit that I am ignorant on this subject.  But I did do a quick google search.  My initial impression is that while pellets are reasonable to use, they do seem much more expensive overall.  ($250+($60*9))*3=$2370 / year, while my delestrogen at $60/vial / mo = $720/year.

Also, the research I looked at was exclusively cis-female related.  No research has been done regarding us trans folks.  I did see a couple of "no adverse effects", though I get the impression it is as compared to regular HRT.

I am not a fan of mega-dosing estrogen.  You may recall I had a 4200/dcl estrodial once and my doctor freaked.  Time and again it has been explained to me by multiple doctors that more estrogen does not me bigger tits!  And mega dosing estrogen to overcome testosterone was done back in the day of Christine Jorgensen, before the discovery of anti-androgens.  Besides you've already had an orchi so you aren't carrying around that much testosterone in the first place.

Personally, I would steer clear if for no other reason as the cost.  It might be convenient, but at a really high cost.

-Sandy

[MaggieB]

I spend about $240 a year on HRT and am pretty satisfied with my hormonal state but my friends say this is new one is so great so I decided to ask around to see if others share..

[sd]

You can take mega doses for years and years, it will not change your genetics and give you bigger boobs.

No side effects and bigger boobs?, If that were the case, docs would we selling out of it to women who wanted bigger breasts which is a much larger market than trans patients.

[V M]

I've often thought about doing HRT but I'm afraid of the possible side effects. But, I'm afraid to use the pain killers prescribed to me also. I just take aspirin and endure the pain for the most part. Besides, I'm have fairly good results growing breasts using an herbal program and only spend about $30 a month now

[sd]

Herbs are arguably no more safe than the estrogen.

[V M]

Herbs are arguably no more safe than the estrogen.

Possibly, but I don't feel like arguing. People who are inexperienced and haven't studied herbs probably should not use them.

[aubrey]

The amount of herbs you need to take that would give you enough E to be significant are very damaging to the liver, moreso than "chemical" hrt.

To the original poster: ...I have a friend that has been taking the pellets for a year and has fantastic results but I have no clue if she would have gotten the same results going with the standard...and no clue of her levels. Pretty sure she's also on spiro and such also. So yeah, nothing conclusive lol.

[Renate]

Since I finished with the antiandrogens, my drug budget has gone down considerably.
My endocrinologist has me on generic estradiol.
At various stores you can get a generic 90 day supply for $10, that's ~$40/year.
I gauge estrogen sufficiency by mental state and it does the job fine.

I'll add my own vote against herbals, it's been discussed ad nauseum elsewhere.

[Hannah]

Hi Maggie

So I've been reading about these things some and I'm acutally enticed, and my liver is voicing her approval too. I think we might try them after a while, I'll ask my doctor for them next time I see her. I don't know about mega dosing, but it seems like a good way to maintain the estradiol levels we otherwise would by other means.

Could you keep us posted on your friends and how they are doing with them? If they start growing a third boob or something then maybe they aren't the way to go after all, but so far besides their expense I can't really find the downside.

[MaggieB]

Hannah,
One gal that has them, still likes the effect after a month of so. I wonder though how she will feel in the last month as the estrogen drops off.  Plus she isn't sure she can afford it so she may have to go back to sublingual Estrace after all. 

I have decided to stick with sublingual Estrace.  It is incredibly cheap and I do pretty well on it.

Maggie

[faleashasavage]

I have went to this doctor and had this done.  I had taken pills and shots before and I had horrible side effects with weight gain mood swing sex drive all the things they say can happen did, so I had stopped taking them.  I heard about the implants and went in to check it out since my friend had it done and she loved her results.  I meet up with the doctor discussed what I have tried then he made a suggestion as to what he thought would be good for me.  I had him put in 8 estradiol pellets and then got a pink panther shot to help with nipple growth.  I can not tell you how impressed I am with the results I am now at the end of 4 months and my chest has grown more than it ever has, I have lost weight, I have a sex drive and functionality, and the best part is I haven't been depressed and I have not had mood swings.  I personally have not had ANY side effects.  I am going back at the end of this week for more   Here is the doctor I go to and recommend to all of you.

[Shantel]

A couple of my trans friends have switched to estrogen pellets implanted under the skin every 4 months.  They seem to like the results but I am skeptical because of the claims made by the doctor that they will lose weight, grow bigger breasts, redistribute fat and more in only a couple months.  He advocates using mega does of estrogen and NO spiro or anti-androgen at all. In fact, he says that an orchi is not needed with this regimen. He says that mega does of Estrogen are perfectly safe and most doctors are being overly cautious about prescribing this level of estrogen.  It costs $250 plus $60 per pellet and up to 9 are used at a time. No blood estrogen levels or general blood panel tests are done.


If it is so good, why aren't all of us on this regimen? Does anyone have experience with this scheme? 

Maggie

I have done pelletized HRT and it does work great and lasts about six months between injections, there is no worry about forgetting to take meds, however that doctor is off base. You will need to do a blood panel first and possibly a second time to ensure that the number of pellets inserted is giving you the correct levels. I've had an orchiectomy so I can't comment on the other, but I would assume T blockers would still be necessary if you still have the package. This procedure is still administered through a Naruropathic doctor, the estrogen pellets are Bio-Identical, in other words they aren't chemically manufactured by a laboratory, they are compounded from concentrated plant estrogens. It is an extremely safe, on demand system and not harmful to kidneys and liver. Find a naturopathic doctor and discuss itwith them, they are into good health!

[Joelene9]

  He who says that mega doses of estrogen is safe is a quack!  There are studies that indicate the mega doses of the over the counter vitamins are actually toxic.  Is this secondhand info from your friends about this doctor's opinion? 
  In my case, the much higher than normal T I had most of my life actually shut down some of the male characteristics such as muscle mass.  I gained the muscle mass after going on estrogen!  Subcutaneous applications shows promise.  I still prefer the pills though. 

  Joelene