Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I had my second meeting with my doctor the first one he gave me a spiro prescription, and now I am up to. He additionally gave me one prescription for estrogen that day but told me not to start the estrogen for three weeks. But I really just want to start them now, because many trans women just start both at the same time. I forgot to ask him why he stagers the doses, does anyone have any experience in this topic ?

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My doctor told me that she prefers to "start low (on dose), go slow (over time)" so that any potential side effects can be seen before they become serious.  I also started this way on my HRT.  I think they only want you to start one drug at a time, and usually at a low dose, so they can tell which drug caused the side effects.

My Dr. said he usually start Spiro then 2-3 weeks later starts the Estrogen.  So seems like common practice from what I've heard.

I started both on the same day myself. My doctor of course had me on low dose to make sure nothing went wrong with my body accepting it and raised it 3 months later. Mine starts high dose after 6 months and level checks.

Different Doctors do it differently.

I was started on Spiro and oral estradiol. My spiro dosage never changed but my E was upped once on pills, then I switched to IM then the IM cycle was reduced.

I do know the first 8 weeks (on low dose) had the most changes. I went from male hormones to female and the switch felt very real. I am glad I was started slow. Now, my hormones are at a high level and my body and mind can handle it.

I was started on a low dose of estrogen then after a month that was raised and Spiro was added. My doctor's reasoning is it makes it very easy to tell which med is giving you a side effect when you are only taking one.

It took several months before I was raised to the full dosage that it is at now. My doctor said I would continue to take this dose for 18-24 months unless my situation changed (bad side effects or SRS) in which case we would have to assess the situation. It is frustrating moving up so slow at first, but the changes will come, just be patient. I hope this helps!  :)

Do as your doctor says :)

The reason is that your doctor wants to know how your body reacts to the medication, one at a time in case you have a bad reaction.

I know it feels like forever but transitioning is all about patience, most of it is seriously just waiting :P

Quote from: JustASeq on March 05, 2015, 07:09:00 PM
I was started on a low dose of estrogen then after a month that was raised and Spiro was added. My doctor's reasoning is it makes it very easy to tell which med is giving you a side effect when you are only taking one.

Same here but my Endo suggested that the first x amount of weeks I think four to six is the "danger period" if you are to show or get signs of bloods clots or any other side effects.