Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: kreelix on March 10, 2017, 12:59:30 AM Return to Full Version

Title: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 10, 2017, 12:59:30 AM
Hello all,

I wanted to get some advice from people who have used Androcur before.

I'm in my second week now of using it at a relatively high dose, however my libido has not decreased at all - if anything it has increased! Are there ever any instances where it just does not work - i feel my body is countering it by raising testosterone and receptors.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately my doctor is not too well informed on these issues, so i though i would ask people on here.

Many thanks.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: LizK on March 10, 2017, 01:03:22 AM
Hi Kreelix

Welcome and I hope you enjoy your time here at Susan's.

Unfortunately I am not able to help on the Androcur as I have had no experience. There will be someone along shortly who will be abled to answer your question. I just wanted to say Hi and welcome



Regards

Liz


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Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: Floof on March 10, 2017, 05:25:17 AM
Not sure about your specific situation, I'm sure there are many variables.. Could one get a reaction like this from too high a dose?.. But for me my libido kept up for a good few weeks after starting a moderate dose of Androcur; nearly 2 months before it finally died down.

So I suppose just hang in there, and it'll kick in a few weeks from now. Such a relief for me when it did, omg..
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 10, 2017, 06:57:52 AM
Thanks very much for your advice - all just a bit confusing at the moment.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: JoanneB on March 11, 2017, 11:27:02 AM
First it takes some time time for any drug to reach "therapeutic levels". A few days min. When I started Androcur I didn't notice anything for a few weeks and then BAM. Loss of libido, no more stinkin like a guy, less oily skin.

Andro is total kick ass AA compared to spiro

As with all things hormones YMMV
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 15, 2017, 11:01:16 AM
Thanks for your reply - im going to the doctor tomorrow to get my Testosterone checked as it keeps just going up it seems. Will let you know how it goes.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 19, 2017, 01:46:12 AM
Soo the results came back: T=0.7nmol/l (low T levels). However libido is still extremely high. All very strange...
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: AshleyP on March 19, 2017, 02:02:40 AM
Quote from: kreelix on March 19, 2017, 01:46:12 AM
Soo the results came back: T=0.7nmol/l (low T levels). However libido is still extremely high. All very strange...

Set a goal to masturbate everyday. When you decide it's not worth the trouble, you'll know it's working. :)

All the best,
--AshleyP
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 19, 2017, 04:29:17 AM
Ok - thanks for your response.

I will try that - would be nice to feel some changes by the 1 month mark. NOt sure why my boday is reacting in this way.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: Floof on March 19, 2017, 12:20:18 PM
Give it some time, its likely to die off in a few weeks :)
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 19, 2017, 12:35:24 PM
Thanks - i really do hope so.

The other frustrating thing is it seems to have sped up my hairloss especially in the temple region which wasn't too bad before. Hopefully this is just a shed for new hair, but still quite disconcerting.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: KayXo on March 19, 2017, 01:37:32 PM
I'm post-op, my T (total) levels came back at 0.1-0.3 nmol/L. Despite those levels, I have a healthy libido. I believe the progesterone I'm taking is the reason why but some women also report an increase in libido with estrogen alone. There is more than just testosterone at play and individuals don't all respond the same.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 26, 2017, 05:52:46 AM
Hello again,

Just thought id update.
More bloods came back: T still the same and prolactin also raised (slightly unusual). No progress with the hairloss though :( - still shedding a lot of hair and losing my hairline.

Coming up to 4/5 weeks of HRT now and still no libido drop either.

Getting some more detailed hormone tests this week so will keep you all updated.
Thanks again for kind comments.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: KayXo on March 26, 2017, 07:35:49 AM
Quote from: kreelix on March 26, 2017, 05:52:46 AMprolactin also raised (slightly unusual).

Not at all surprising as Androcur is known to raise prolactin levels, sometimes to dangerously high levels. Its use has been associated with 5 prolactinomas (a benign pituitary tumor) in transsexual women. It's important to keep an eye on this.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: Thessa on March 26, 2017, 09:22:23 AM
To you take additional meds to Androcur?

I have taken Dutasteride but I can't see any differents to Finasteride. Theoretically the first one should be better in preventing hair loss and also help on regrowth.

Maybe you want to talk to you doctor.

I'm on Androcur since 15 months and my prolactin level was rising so we removed it completely, but due to the fact that my E Level dropped from ~280 to ~80 we added a very low dose again every other day.

I should get my new levels next week.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 26, 2017, 11:05:22 AM
Yes ive taken finasteride for the past 7 years with relatively good success, although recently things have taken a significant turn for the worst, even on androcur.

I will have a chat with my doctor - thanks for your reply.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: ForeverLacey on March 26, 2017, 11:06:52 AM
Just because your libido hasn't changed doesn't mean the drug isn't working. I took Cyproterone for the first 4 years of my HRT therapy and never experienced low libido. In fact, I am 9 and a half years in and my libido still hasn't changed. If you want to know if it's working just get a blood test.
Title: Re: What to do now?
Post by: kreelix on March 31, 2017, 01:27:57 AM
Thanks for your helpful response.

Unfortunately however i think something else is going on - perhaps androgen receptors have become more sensitive.
Facial hair is growing faster, hair loss on my head is speeding up and body hair is also growing faster. Not to mention a very high libido.

Endocrine markers are where they should be (low FSH, low T, high SHBG) but the physical effects are not.

Not too sure where to go from here - no progress so far and we are coming up to the 6 week mark....