Super bummed. T level went up!

[Melody Maia]

So, after a month on a low dose of E (with no anti-androgen), went to the endo last Friday to have blood work done. Found out today that my T went from 269 to 446. I feel like I just wasted a month and went in the opposite direction. Endo said that "Your testosterone has not been suppressed." Ya think? He recommended that I start doubling my dose. Yes, well, he had already told me to do that starting last Friday anyway. Around Tuesday night I started experiencing aches with an occasional sharp pain in my breasts (already have small ones due to gynecomastia). I am hoping that means something good. Have an appointment with the endo next week. In the meantime, I am frustrated!

[girl_ashley]

I had blood work done after 7 months of being on hormones and the T reading was over 600 when supposedly I had already been on the higher dose.  We did another round of tests and the T level registered at 30 something.  Sometimes lab errors happen.

[Colleen Ireland]

Just wondering why he would put you on a low dose of E with no anti-androgens?  In my gender workshop last night, we learned about hormone therapies.  It was said that the most common thing is to administer an anti-androgen (spiro being the AA of choice) to lower T levels, then E (which can then be given in far lower doses to achieve feminization).  Without anti-androgens, the levels of E have to be in the danger range.  Your therapy sounds (to me, and of course I don't know much) to be rather non-standard, unless I'm missing something...

[Melody Maia]

Just wondering why he would put you on a low dose of E with no anti-androgens?  In my gender workshop last night, we learned about hormone therapies.  It was said that the most common thing is to administer an anti-androgen (spiro being the AA of choice) to lower T levels, then E (which can then be given in far lower doses to achieve feminization).  Without anti-androgens, the levels of E have to be in the danger range.  Your therapy sounds (to me, and of course I don't know much) to be rather non-standard, unless I'm missing something...

Apparently, it is possible to use E as an AA. You must start with a low dose of E and slowly ramp it up.  Your pituitary won't be able to tell the difference between E and T as long as the increase of E is gradual and it will order the testicles to shut down T production. The key is patience and time.  However, I am wondering what happened in my case this past month. I moved my meeting with my endo to Monday to ask him. 

[Randi]

It sounds to me like your body is attempting to restore the balance of hormone levels to natural positions-this is what it should do. It might take a short while but this will be overcome and T levels will greatly diminish giving you Estrogen dominance. Don't worry it will happen!
Randi

[Melody Maia]

Thank you Randi. I hope you are right. I will meet with my Endo on Monday and I hope he will be of the same opinion. Like I mentioned though, my E dose was doubled last Friday after the blood test. As of a couple of days ago, my breasts started to hurt. That didn't happen last month. Hopefully I am now on my way.

[Randi]

If they are sore that tells you new growth is happening. It isn't always pleasant but you get used to it. You learn quickly not to hit them or bump into door facings or other things like when picking up large boxes!.
Randi

[Debra]

Apparently, it is possible to use E as an AA. You must start with a low dose of E and slowly ramp it up.  Your pituitary won't be able to tell the difference between E and T as long as the increase of E is gradual and it will order the testicles to shut down T production. The key is patience and time.  However, I am wondering what happened in my case this past month. I moved my meeting with my endo to Monday to ask him.

wowies first I've heard of that method....

[Colleen Ireland]

I also described that method to one of my local girlfriends (who is having her SRS in the spring, she's been on HRT for several years now), and she also felt this was a rather strange application of HRT.

[Melody Maia]

I also described that method to one of my local girlfriends (who is having her SRS in the spring, she's been on HRT for several years now), and she also felt this was a rather strange application of HRT.

I don't know if it is strange so much as not as common. At least today. My Endo is an older gentlemen. He has been around the block more than once so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt for now. My breasts continue to hurt and the nipples have gotten painful sensitive, so I have reason to believe it may now be working.