My doctor has agreed to start me off on E next week; she just wants to review some of my medical history. However, she says that she is going to start me off low. I was expecting more from what I have read from HRT protocols online (I'm trying to stay within the rules here and not mention these doses). She says that I might notice big changes with even a small increase. She is not a specialist and I suppose she may just want to be cautious or give me time to adjust.
Do you think I'll notice any changes with that low of a dose and is it common to start off low and bump up gradually? My situation is a bit different in that I won't need anti-androgens due to my Kleinfelters.
She will see how you do and probably bump you up as things go along. You may see somethings, but nothing major.
I think mostly you'll reduction of acne and smoother skin, nothing too major.
I don't produce much T - my level is normal to low even for a natal woman. I was just hoping that she would start me out higher since I don't think the minimum dose is going to start female puberty. But I'm so desperate to get on E that I'll take what she gives me. I just hope it is Estradial and not some herbal thing. I'll find out next week.
With all medications, a doctor is going to aim to get best therapeutic effect from the lowest possible dose.
I would ask her what her plan is - whether she wishes to start you on low dose, review at 6 weeks and then adjust dosage. She may very well be planning that for you. Some people on the androgyne section report changes in spite of being on low dose.
I just made my first appointment so I haven't even gotten to start ywt but I read somewhere that lower doses are actually more effictive.
Definitely ask about her intentions - i.e. is the small dose standard as an initial starting dose? I just started HRT two weeks ago, and I am on a low dosage as well, however I am not quite clear on how low it is. I would post my dosage here, if not for the restrictions (which I understand). I am curious to know if my regimen is normal or what, but c'est la vie. My doctor works at a Transgender Health Clinic so she has done this for years, and knows what she is doing. She starts off low and goes up from there in time. In two weeks I have only noticed slightly puffed nips...
as I undersrand it if you start off with too high an estrogen dose your body responds by increasing Testosterone, so you have to start out low
My Endo started me off on a low dose contraceptive pill, and is quite happy with my results. My T level is very low and changes are marked, so it really is "one of those things". Try it and see, is all I will say.
Karen.
I'm happy to know that starting off on a low dose is not uncommon. I think that I had some quams because my doc is general medicine and I don't think she has to much experience in this sort of thing, but I need to confirm. I'm glad that she is willing to help me since I really can't afford (or even find) a nearby endo that will work with transexuals. I'm probably a bit impatient since its been so long. I suppose the most important think is the blood levels.
Thanks girls!
I'm very dissapointed that I'm not on HRT yet. I finally was able to talk to my doctor on the phone and she doesn't want to prescribe estrogen yet because of my high cholesteral and low thyroid problems. I told her I've had high cholesteral most of my life and all my family has it, so I think it is genetic. I'm taking meds for both cholesteral and thyroid, so I don't know why she thinks estrogen could give me a heart attack or mess up my system. I don't feel like I can keep going on like this without estrogen and I swear I'm at the point that I think I would self medicate if I was only able to. I would rather get on estrogen and begin to get my body in tune with who I am and die of a heart attack than to keep living in this crazy in-between limbo state.