Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi there, this is my first post here. I have been meaning to join got a while but social anxiety has made me nervous for some time to do so.

Anyway, to my actual question.

I have been on hormone therapy with a local doctor for about 9 months now.
I am taking about an average dose of Spiro, a low dose of Finasteride and a fairly low dose of oral estradiol. I was originally assuming my doctor planned to gradually ramp up the dosages but they said they never felt the need to so it didn't happen.

Either way, I recently checked on all my results for the last 9 months and am pretty worried.

My testosterone levels are staying low and have been for the entire time, quickly going down to 30 and now about 25 which I understand is good. (It varies from 20-30 over time)

However my blood estrogen levels are worrying me somewhat. They have been drifting between 40 and 60 the entire time. Which I understand is significantly below the normal desired range (though please correct me if I'm wrong).

I have had some significant growth starting at around a month in, moving fairly rapidly up to month 3, then slowing down a lot since then. My doctor claims I am about at Tanner stage 3 and doesn't seem at all concerned or feel the need to make any changes.

I am somewhat concerned that the drop-off in growth is related to my low estrogen blood levels but given I am now past 9 months in I fear it is too late to do anything about it even if I choose to.

I plan to see another doctor (at Planned Parenthood Denver) to talk about it and see if anything might  be helpful as my current doctor has treated trans patients before but isn't specialised in it.

However the core of my worry, is it too late to adjust hormones at 9 (or 12 by the time I can see the new doctor) months in? Or are my chances of further breast growth permanantly stunted, or merely delayed.

Now I also do fully understand a lot of it is genetic and I'm prepared (though would be slightly sad) to hear that there is nothing I can really do. But low moods and constant fretting made me want to at least talk to some understanding folks about it.

I would say from my personal measurements I have a large A to just under B cup so far but the shape is not very round, particularly at the bottom side and fairly pointy, without much nipple or areola development , so taking a good measurement is very hard. I was also somewhat underweight when I started transitioning but have been gradually trying to put some weight on to get to healthy levels.

Either way, I would really really appreciate if anyone has experienced with going on a low dose of E for an extended period (such that blood serum levels were low) and if you got ok development. And particularly if you tried increasing dosages later after doing this and if that made a difference?

Sorry for my rambling, but this is all very distressing for me to work though and I'd love some support and at least opinions. Sometimes it feels like I've screwed up and everything is going wrong.

I really appreciate any comments or replies.

Val

Welcome to Susan's Place. After surgery, my dosage was cut back to a quarter of my peak dosage and held there for many years. I am now on estradiol, something that wasn't available back then and my dosage has been bumped up to half a transition dosage. My levels are near where yours are and I am experiencing breast growth and achy breast which I never had in the past. Growth can take place at anytime and there is no penalty for low dose.

I suspect if you tell your doctor you are ready for full speed ahead, your dosage will be moved to a transition dosage. On the other hand, puberty can last years for a woman so 9 months is a little early to judge your progress.

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Low or very (pregnancy) high doses, my breasts remained very small but at least I tried. I'd say the important thing to focus on is HOW YOU FEEL and your general health (bone density, blood test results, memory, etc.) AND your degree of feminization (feminine distribution of fat, facial feminization, less body hair, no further scalp hair loss, etc.).

Under 100 pg/ml is low but some women perhaps do ok at these levels, every person is different. You also need to realize that levels fluctuate so that had you taken it at another time, it could have been even less or above 100.