Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: AshleyPixune on October 03, 2017, 11:02:59 PM

Title: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: AshleyPixune on October 03, 2017, 11:02:59 PM
I'm an analyst by trade. That means, I work with numbers! I was wondering if anyone out there has a tracker they use to measure their hrt progress at all? For instance, how are measurements taken? A spreadsheet would be lovely, but unavailable, I could always create my own. It's a passion of mine. Thanks!
Title: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: Tammy Jade on October 04, 2017, 02:42:17 AM
Iv been toying with making one but got sidetracked making one to track everything for our DND group and well 6months later I haven't finished that one yet

If you make one I'd love a copy.

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Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: AshleyP on October 04, 2017, 12:30:12 PM
Quote from: AshleyPixune on October 03, 2017, 11:02:59 PM
I'm an analyst by trade. That means, I work with numbers! I was wondering if anyone out there has a tracker they use to measure their hrt progress at all? For instance, how are measurements taken? A spreadsheet would be lovely, but unavailable, I could always create my own. It's a passion of mine. Thanks!

Not really a tracker, per se, but I did make a list of physical measurements (and asked for input on this site) that I recorded the old fashioned way, with a charcoal stick and papyrus. :)

In subsequent measurements, I found there's a nuance to taking a measurement that I didn't fully appreciate on the initial set.

All the best,
--AshleyP
Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: RobynTx on October 04, 2017, 04:22:08 PM
I thought about doing some of these things just before I started but figured if the numbers wouldn't be to my liking down the road it would make me depressed.  Now I'm fine with my changes other than I would love to speed them up.
Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: laurenb on October 05, 2017, 06:36:18 AM
I use a spreadsheet. It took about 5 minutes to set up. I measure girth along 5 points in cm (shoulder, bust, under bust, belly and hips) plus weight and blood pressure. I take the data every other week or so. For the first six months there were almost no changes. I wish I had added a thigh measurement because I do see some changes there.
Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: Megan. on October 05, 2017, 07:08:01 AM
I'm getting annual DEXA scans (I've posted to another thread on this) and also hoping to use 3d photogrammetry to measure any facial changes.

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Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: Roll on October 05, 2017, 08:54:47 AM
Quote from: AshleyPixune on October 03, 2017, 11:02:59 PM
I'm an analyst by trade. That means, I work with numbers! I was wondering if anyone out there has a tracker they use to measure their hrt progress at all? For instance, how are measurements taken? A spreadsheet would be lovely, but unavailable, I could always create my own. It's a passion of mine. Thanks!

I'd be curious about making something like this now even if I just did it for some android development practice. Seems like it should be a fairly simple app to write. The problem is that it would require user input for pretty much everything so not sure it would be that practical versus just having a spreadsheet template or something. Maybe could add in something like pill/shot reminders, but plenty already does that. Hrrrm... If someone does have a spreadsheet I'd love to see it to get a better idea of this.
Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: Claire_Sydney on October 08, 2017, 10:46:13 AM
I keep it in a notebook, not a spreadsheet. It was originally
highly organised, now it's higgly-piggly..

I get bloods done every few months and have a copy of the result sent to me.

I track the following data:

Bloods:
Estrogen level
Testosterone level
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Prolactin
Free Androgen Index
Progesterone
Mood
Anxiety Level

Physical Measurements:
Weight
Lean muscle mass
Body Fat percentage
Waist
Bust
Butt circumference
Arm Circumference
Nipples
Breast Discharge

Dilation:
Date / Time
Scheme
Depth
Lube / Medication
Pain / Discomfort

Hormones:
Date of Last Implant
Progesterone SR / FR




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Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: AshleyPixune on October 10, 2017, 11:02:57 AM
Quote from: Claire_Sydney on October 08, 2017, 10:46:13 AM
Bloods:
Estrogen level
Testosterone level
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Prolactin
Free Androgen Index
Progesterone
Hey this is great info, thanks a lot!!! Do you mind, I was wondering if you could share (pm if you prefer) how your prolactin levels looked at the start, and as time went on?  When I got my blood drawn two months ago the doctor said that the levels of this were a little higher than average for the transgender folk he had been caring for and ever since I've been curious about that.

Thank you!
~Ashley
Title: Re: Quantifiable/measurable change
Post by: KayXo on October 11, 2017, 04:07:44 PM
Both estrogen and progesterone increase prolactin (as can cyproterone acetate). This is perfectly normal and to be expected except with cyproterone, I'd personally be wary and watch out as this hormone is NOT bio-identical.

Mine went way up on high levels of estradiol (and progesterone), up to 130 ng/ml and dropped when levels of both hormones went down, to around 35 ng/ml. If there was a tumor causing the high prolactin, the high prolactin levels would have persisted.