Hi everyone,
I hope everyone is going well.
I am posting this to gain a better understanding of what my results mean as sadly my Endo and I can not see each other for a few months as I will be overseas therefore I can not ask them about this stuff and google results just cause anxiety :(
After being on the lowest does of estrogen and testosterone blockers I could get I have the following questions:
- Has anyone seen an increase in free testosterone in the first 75 days on the lowest dose of blockers (380 -> 400).
- testosterone increase from 14.8 -> 15.6 nmol/l?
-is that pretty normal in general to see from most people's experience.
- oestradiol from 60 ->180 pmol/l
Thank you and I will not share doses as I know it is forbidden but picture the lowest you can go on a single patch and spiro :)
In the scheme of things, your T levels are kinda low already, and the change you see is statistically irrelevant, since T levels can vary widely from day to day.
My level was like 775 when I started, but it took time for the E to change my body enough to keep it from manufacturing as much T as it has been all along. I am also intersex, btw, and though my ova-testes only created a tiny bit of T, I have little to no T receptors, so my free T was out of this world. It was a hellish recipe, ha!
Your increase in E is consistent with the lowest level usually administered. Reducing T production takes physiological changes, whereas increasing E is an additive process.
You are worrying over nothing. Relax!
Of course, I am not a doctor. Though I do enjoy playing one with my bf from time to time, lol..
The way Spiro works is to fool your receptors into thinking that you are full up on testosterone. Then your brain will tell your testicles to stop producing testosterone. You'll have residual free testosterone while this is happening.
Sarah,
You did not mention which drugs you are currently taking.
Generally speaking, low doses will give you minimal results and take longer to get desired results.
Minor fluctuations in blood levels are common and really not significant. What is more important, is consistent long term use in order to see results.Many endocrinologists want to start low and increase slowly to see how you handle any side effects that may show up.
Blood levels are just not that important. They will guide your endocrinologist to prescribe the doses proper for you.
MissGendered and Harley Quinn thank you both for the quick replies and that makes sense now. I seen free testosterone and panicked when I read the results. I know on a low dose I will not see any true changes but I had to be sure, so thank you.
I think the only change is my sex drive is not really there!!! Quote from: Dani on January 18, 2017, 10:25:57 AM
Sarah,
You did not mention which drugs you are currently taking.
Currently on Climara patches once per week and spironolactone tablets x2 daily.
So today I start a higher dose :D which is going to be twice the last dose -scary-
Anyone used this brand?
(https://s27.postimg.org/sc1uvf58v/esta.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/sc1uvf58v/)
The internet has a vast wealth of information from reliable sources to be had with a few keywords. Finding recommendations specifically for the transgendered community take a little more diligence be there are some out there.
This one is even to be found in the links section on this site. I've read most of it as it applies to me. Perhaps it will be helpful to you also.
http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/trans?page=protocol
I wish you an exciting journey
Jeanette
I read that protocol and based on the research I've come across in the last 10 yrs or so, I believe their doses are sometimes too conservative and not justified or that the information therein contained is, at times, incorrect. I think it's important to remain critical and do your own research as well as speak to many experts in the matter as possible to get a more accurate picture or realize how varied the opinions are and that we really don't know much, after all. Always ask yourself what studies exactly does this source base themselves on to assert this or recommend that, not just assume they are right because of their reputation or because they treat many transsexuals or even because they are an organized center and so on. I'm not putting anyone down, just saying to remain critical and not blindly follow, be proactive in your health.
My 2 cents. :)
I used Estradot, it left red marks, I didn't particularly like it.