Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: BoringUsername on March 07, 2016, 11:52:04 PM

Title: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: BoringUsername on March 07, 2016, 11:52:04 PM
So to start out I guess I'll say before month 5 I went in for a blood test with a new doc and after we got around to discussing the results she said my T levels were still sitting in the normal male range.  So I was thinking maybe that could have had an interference with everything.  That being said, I had my T blocker dose quadrupled and my estradiol was increased slightly.  So now I'm just about finished on one month of new doses and I'm still telling myself that NOW things will take off but I still have that nagging feeling in the back of my mind.

Has anyone else had any experience with messed up doses and results?
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: LivingTheDream on March 08, 2016, 12:39:01 AM
It took me 10 months to get my levels in the feminine range.

Started on e and spiro, got tested at 3 months, not much change. Upped me, checked again, same...upped again, checked, you get the idea.

After that, switched delivery methods, checked, way better but still not good, upped, checked, pretty good.

I say keep at it with the doc, keep checking lvls too. If results aren't better next time, maybe bring up changing methods; some people don't respond well to some (like I don't with orals)
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Jessirules on March 08, 2016, 05:43:32 AM
The first thing you need to learn is patients

Jessi

Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: madhumati69 on March 10, 2016, 01:59:58 AM
i am taking estrediol sublinguily for last 1.5 years and found breast devlopement in first 6 month to A cup since then no change till date only my libido is is reduced greatly and emotions changed to female style.
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: KayXo on March 10, 2016, 08:02:50 AM
Then you need to go see doctor for a possible adjustment to your HRT. Share your concerns with them, they only have the power to help you. ;)
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Saki on March 13, 2016, 10:20:28 AM
Yeah I have the same problem. Its been 13months and I haven't seen any real changes. Only thing Ive noticed is my hair becoming more fem and breasts. Breasts are not rounding tho. The rest of my body is the same as before HRT. Ive just started to notice my emotions in female style.
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Ritana on March 13, 2016, 10:30:28 AM
Quote from: Jessirules on March 08, 2016, 05:43:32 AM
The first thing you need to learn is patients

Jessi

You probably mean patience lol?
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Laura_7 on March 13, 2016, 10:40:37 AM

Here were some facts you might talk through with your doc :

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,205886.msg1827645.html#msg1827645


*hugs*
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: KayXo on March 13, 2016, 01:09:24 PM
Quote from: Saki on March 13, 2016, 10:20:28 AM
Breasts are not rounding tho.

Time or progesterone can help. :)
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Briezy on March 19, 2016, 11:18:37 AM
I have a very good doctor at The Fenway in Boston and when we were discussing which form of hormone would be best (patches, pills, etc.) he said something that really stuck. He said that no matter what form I take I will end up in the same place. It may be peeks and valleys or it may be a slow steady transition, but eventually I will complete female puberty and there isn't anything I can really do to either rush it or really change or improve the results at the end of that puberty so just to enjoy the ride. I have had a wonderful first month on introductory doses of spiro and estradiol, and those doses were just doubled yesterday to bring them up to transition doses and am so excited to see how my body reacts to the higher doses as I have started to get nice breast buds just in the first month (which means of course I probably won't see any further changes for the next 6 months...lol)

Having said all that, of course doses need to be adjusted to keep hormones in their proper female ranges. Good luck!
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: KayXo on March 20, 2016, 08:04:25 AM
Quote from: Briezy on March 19, 2016, 11:18:37 AM
He said that no matter what form I take I will end up in the same place.

Injections allow for higher estradiol levels which, in some cases, may induce further breast growth and better feminization that patches, gels may not because it would be inconvenient (practically impossible) to yield similar levels with such forms or because with pills, the amount it would take could perhaps raise health risks too much. Forms, therefore, can, in some instances, make a difference.

QuoteHaving said all that, of course doses need to be adjusted to keep hormones in their proper female ranges. Good luck!

Female estradiol levels range from 20-650 pg/ml during menstrual cycle, up to 75,000 during pregnancy. No such thing as proper female range as it is so wide and even overlaps male range. No studies have shown a certain range to be most effective in transwomen. Individuals vary. Levels also vary in time. 

Even T levels range from a low 8 ng/dl to up to 90 ng/dl in women.

The right DOSE for the individual should be found rather than aiming for an arbitrary level, in my opinion. I'm no doctor but it seems pretty common sense and obvious to me.
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Saki on March 21, 2016, 08:53:30 AM
Quote from: KayXo on March 13, 2016, 01:09:24 PM
Time or progesterone can help. :)

I'll see if i can get some. I doubt they know what that is because they didn't even know about estrogen injections. I tried to get them to use estrogen injections but they insisted on upping my estrogen pills dosage. Sigh..
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: KayXo on March 21, 2016, 02:30:29 PM
A doctor doesn't know what progesterone is?!  :o Find another doctor.
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: Saki on March 23, 2016, 03:17:51 PM
Quote from: KayXo on March 21, 2016, 02:30:29 PM
A doctor doesn't know what progesterone is?!  :o Find another doctor.

Yeah I could but the transgender doctors are 2 hours away. I used the veterans administration for my care and they are essentially using me to practice on by university doctors. Also, its free so I don't have much choice unless i want to pay for another doctor.
Title: Re: Almost 6 months and not much happening
Post by: KayXo on March 23, 2016, 05:35:02 PM
Then take the time to educate them about the matter. :)