Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone! I recently got blood test results back and they're very alarming to me, especially in conjunction with physical changes.

My doctor is 4 hours away and so I can't see him for another few weeks, but I wanted input about these results to help put my mind at east in the meantime. Or to see if I really need to figure out a way to go back faster.

My last appointment I had an estrogen level that was on the low end of female range. Now it's more than halved, despite going up on both spiro and estrogen. My testosterone levels though went from a very high number (a number that sits in the average range for males) to 1. That's hundreds of units below and seemingly impossible. It's especially weird because I'm starting to notice some masculine things are coming back, specifically having to do with sex organs and such.

Is it even possible to have testosterone that low? Could it be a problem with the labs? There's even a note that says "confirmed by repeat analysis". How worried should I be about these numbers? I know I'm not a doctor, but my doctor has told me about what numbers he's looking for so it's just alarming considering some masculine things are coming back.

Thanks for any help!
Hannah

I don't really know much about MTF HRT, but I do know that either that '1' is a fluke or you are seriously deficient. Normal female ranges for testosterone are about a minimum of 15 ng/dL. I don't know if blood tests are covered by your insurance or if they're a bit pricey, but I would try taking them again, if possible. My guess is, someone seriously dropped the ball when running your tests.

There are a number of reasons why your results might come back so skewed.  Blood handling, machine error in the lab, levels mis copied off onto the lab report.

Before you let yourself get too scared, you need to talk to your Dr. Isn't there any place that would agree to see you that is closer than 4 hours? (not for this one thing, but to become your regular Dr.?). That is a long ways away if there is a problem.

Please don't mess with any of your medications. You could make things worse than better, not to mention lose your Dr.'s trust. I know the fear of seeing your body going back to the way it was. I just went through that myself over the winter and had to basically start over again. Try to remember that it may not be as bad as you think and not dwell on it. Hard, I know, but you will only tie yourself in a knot.

When you made your next appointment, did you tell the nurse about your concerns and see if you can get in any earlier? Don't talk to the front desk, ask to talk directly to your Dr.'s nurse. Your results should raise a flag. When you do go in, see if your Dr. can recommend a closer Dr. so that if you have problems like this in the future, you won't have to go so far. As long as you explain why you need a closer Dr., I don't think there will be any hard feelings.

sam1234

I recently had a blood test result for testosterone that was below the normal female range and my endo told me that the test is not accurate when its low.

Hi Novumdiex9

Firstly love the Tee  :laugh:

T at 1 is what you want, mine got as low as .1 now settling at around 1... when I started (12 or so years ago) I was blood testing 6 monthly and the numbers were bouncing all over, for the last few years now, E has been 250 to 280 T .1to 1.8 as averages. Oh anything below 10 with T is good for MTF. E may be lower because of low intake...

Most Dr's/Endo's like to check levels frequently at the beginning to assess and tune...

What were his comments on the counts?
Can you call him to give yourself peace of mind?

In any case don't get alarmed.... I am sure it will all be fine, just give it time  8)

Hope that helps..

L Katy  :-*

Firstly don't be alarmed, second see your Dr.

Normal adult female T levels are 15-80 ng/dL, normal males 200-1500 ng/dL. So firstly the units are important, the number means nothing without them.

Normal female estrogen levels vary according to the cycle but are 150-3500 ng/dL normal males about 150-600 ng/dL.

So it is quite normal for a female to have an E level in the male range but her T level are a 10 x lower.

The measurements are done on automated machines and are usually very accurate.

I'm on E implants and post surgery, my T is 20 ng/dL and E rests at about 600 ng/dL. My endo thinks 600 is a little high but it is the level my body has maintained for three years on implants ( with spikes and drops when the implant gets used up.)

As others have pointed out levels are going to very and early on the Endo is going to fine tune things to see what works for your body. The Endo is still fine tuning mine despite numbers that I'm happy with yet he feels my estrogen level is slightly high. I would definitely pass your concerns on to the Endo because he can always retest if he doesn't agree with the numbers you got last time. One thing that I think will help you is to know that just because they raise or lower the dosage of the different HRT components doesn't mean your numbers are going to change or change in the direction we want them too. It's why my Endo made another adjustment this time by lowering me again when he previous lowering did almost nothing to affect the number's. Anyway good luck and keep us posted. Hugs
Mariah

My T is <20 ng/dl. The test administered goes to 20. My Doctor does not measure E but instead asked how I feel and how am I progressing.

I am on a high dose of E administered by IM injection. My E varies throughout my 9 day cycle. So if I was tested on day 2 vs day 9 my E would vary greatly.

I understand your concerns and you should bring them up with your doctor.

Update: The cause to my alarming blood test results was interaction form another medicine called Lamictal (Lamotrigine). It was causing serious problems with estrogen and somehow was interacting badly with testosterone.

So just a warning to those taking Lamictal (Lamotrigine): It might interact badly with your HRT.