So today makes exactly 4 months since starting MTF HRT. I am so incredibly happy about that!!! Things have definitely been changing. Not only physically, but mentally as well. My breasts are to a point where they are starting to be harder to hide, not that I care about trying to hide them. Which brings me to the most awesome change of all.... A mental change. Where in the past I was so incredibly paranoid about going out presenting as female. I always thought of my face as being way too masculine to ever have any chance whatsoever of passing. And that's one of the things that kept me from even attempting this whole thing for so many years. However, since being on HRT......for one, tiny little subtle changes have been happening in my face to where already, when I look at pictures of myself from 6 months ago, it doesn't even look like me to myself. And when I look in the mirror now, I am starting to see a female looking back at me.
Well, I have been very bald for quite some time. Baldness doesn't exactly make me feel very feminine. So my wife knew how much hair means to me and that that was one of my biggest hurdles at this time in my transition process. So she called around and found the best wig shop she could find up in Denver called Hanna Designs. And my birthday is this week, so we made a little birthday trip out of it. Went to the wig shop, and Hanna, the woman that owns it is extremely nice and helpful and trans friendly. I sat down in the chair, and she immediately started using female pronouns for me without me even telling her that's what I preferred. And she was asking how my wife and I met, and how my wife found out I was trans and when. And she was super helpful and friendly, and looked me over good so she could try to decide what wigs to start with. She brought a few out, and put them on me one at a time, and her, my wife and myself all would decide if that one was a keeper or not, and we did this for a while til we narrowed it down to the perfect one. And of course the owner knew I would want to wear it out of there. So she left it on my head and cut the price tag off and we paid and left. And let me tell you!!! I walked out of that place feeling like a whole new person! An absolute wave of happiness came over me. I was already dressed very feme as it was, so now to have my outfit complete with very beautiful hair that looks very real and natural, knowing that we were about to go out and spend the entire rest of the day in Denver for my first time ever actually presenting as female in public, was just the absolute most amazing, happy feeling! My hair loss has been extremely hard on me. If I was a man, it wouldn't be so bad. But I am a woman, so it is VERY bad! So it is amazing that there are such good wigs out there that look so good and real.
We are huge coffee fans and always look for the best coffee shops every time we travel. So we went to a few different coffee shops while in Denver, and went and walked through some womens clothing stores, and just had a really nice time. Two women just having a date in Denver. ha ha.
Oh yes, I had mentioned changes that have happened. One of the biggest changes that I have experienced mentally, is not giving a damn what people think anymore. I used to be soooo paranoid about what other people would think about me if I presented as female in public knowing that I probably will not pass. This paranoia and fear held me back for a very long time. But here recently, due to some awesome discoveries in self acceptance, as well as my awesome gender therapist, but most importantly a very supportive and loving wife who encourages me. Here recently I have found myself no longer giving a damn what anyone thinks. We went to Denver on Saturday, then came back home to Colorado Springs on Saturday night. Sunday I decided I was going to wear my wig out and about again. Colorado Springs is far more conservative than Denver is. There is quite a decent sized queer population here, and quite a few fellow trans people, but it is just not the same open, welcoming environment as Denver. However, I decided I was not going to let that stop me from living the way I want and need to. So I wore my wig again, and put on a little makeup, and had my womens tight skinny jeans on, and a pink shirt, and my long grey femme sweater on, and I owned that ->-bleeped-<-. My wife, our daughter and I all went to a park, and then went to the grocery store. And it felt so amazing to just finally for the first time in my life, to be able to go out in public very much dressing very feminine like obviously trying to present as female. And sure there were a couple looks here and there, but for the most part, people just walked right by me like I was any other person. And it was so nice!!! Cis women who have got to go out dressed however they want for their entire lives just don't understand. But to feel like you are not only experiencing a whole new life, but to be experiencing that life that you spent your entire existence longing for. I love it!!!! I now have been having this new desire to go about and live all of lifes experiences over again as a female.
So anyway.......now that I have decided that I have reached a point of basically wanting to go full time, we are faced with a few challenges. Like what is the best way to go about talking to our daughters school and letting them know that our daughter is going to be having two mommies now. And how do we deal with other friends and family who even though they have known for a while I am trans, I have continued to present as male around them. And now that is about to change. Also, yesterday when out and about as female, our daughter kept calling me "daddy". She is only 5 and she has been calling me that for a couple years now, so I know that one's going to be hard for her. We tried to explain it to her, and have her help us figure out what she would be comfortable calling me, but she was having a hard time wrapping her head around the concept I think. And she kept yelling "Daddy!" across the park and the grocery store. ha ha. There are a lot of issues to deal with when you live with this. But.........the amazing freedom and comfort I feel when getting to finally go out fully as female whether I have any chance of passing or not, is amazing!!! I wish I could find a way to help all trans people reach that point of being confident enough with themselves to be able to dress and present how you want to without feeling that overwhelming paranoia about what others are going to think. What others think about you, says far more about themselves than it does about you.
Oh yeah, my profile picture is me with my new hair. No face change app this time :-) While I still have a lot of feminizing to go in my face......I am actually quite surprised how pleased I am. And I guess that's what counts the most. I could not possibly ever succeed in making everyone else think I look female anyway. So as long as I think I do, and I am okay with that, then that is the definition of winning. ;D
What a nice update, and yes you do look great!
Bari Jo
Congratulations for your transition have been a successful, and you have support and encouragement from everyone. I will begin my transition about two weeks from now and I hope my going as well. I'm look for the challenge and the change on my body by hormones. Hugs
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We're HRT buddies! I'll be hitting 4 months on this coming Friday. I had trouble believing the changes to my face were actually happening, but after looking at older pictures, and the reactions I've had from a few people, I'm starting to see it.
I've just in the last month or so hit the point were I'm saying 'I don't care if I pass, or what anyone else thinks! This is ME!'. I still remember being terrified dressed female in public not so many months ago, but that's gone now.
Congrats on everything! Your wife sounds so awesome & supportive! Good luck with the kids, wish I had some advice for you there.
Quote from: Sarah_P on November 13, 2017, 12:08:16 PM
We're HRT buddies! I'll be hitting 4 months on this coming Friday. I had trouble believing the changes to my face were actually happening, but after looking at older pictures, and the reactions I've had from a few people, I'm starting to see it.
I've just in the last month or so hit the point were I'm saying 'I don't care if I pass, or what anyone else thinks! This is ME!'. I still remember being terrified dressed female in public not so many months ago, but that's gone now.
Congrats on everything! Your wife sounds so awesome & supportive! Good luck with the kids, wish I had some advice for you there.
oh wow, you and I started on the exact same day! July 17th was my 31st birthday and it's when I decided to start!
Congratulations LaRell, you have made some tremendous strides in a very short time, and you look great! By the way, it looks like you and I are neighbors. I live in Monument. I have two daughters, but one is already out on her own and the other one is off to college, so I can't help too much with your young daughter.
I have noticed the mental changes too. I am caring less and less about what other people think. When I started this journey I was scared about coming out, but now I look forward to the day I go full time. I just got my fingerprints taken today so I could start the background investigations required for a name change in Colorado.
Quote from: LaRell on November 13, 2017, 11:39:32 AM
So anyway.......now that I have decided that I have reached a point of basically wanting to go full time, we are faced with a few challenges. Like what is the best way to go about talking to our daughters school and letting them know that our daughter is going to be having two mommies now. And how do we deal with other friends and family who even though they have known for a while I am trans, I have continued to present as male around them. And now that is about to change. Also, yesterday when out and about as female, our daughter kept calling me "daddy". She is only 5 and she has been calling me that for a couple years now, so I know that one's going to be hard for her. We tried to explain it to her, and have her help us figure out what she would be comfortable calling me, but she was having a hard time wrapping her head around the concept I think. And she kept yelling "Daddy!" across the park and the grocery store. ha ha. There are a lot of issues to deal with when you live with this. But.........the amazing freedom and comfort I feel when getting to finally go out fully as female whether I have any chance of passing or not, is amazing!!! I wish I could find a way to help all trans people reach that point of being confident enough with themselves to be able to dress and present how you want to without feeling that overwhelming paranoia about what others are going to think. What others think about you, says far more about themselves than it does about you.
So, you're a bit ahead of me. I'm not on HRT yet, and my 4-y/o daughter hasn't met the authentic me yet. But my wife and I are starting to talk about how we should approach it with her. That is a challenge. The good news is that this is a good age to come out to them, before they reach adolescence. But we're still desperately looking around to see what a good way to do this would be. I'm not as concerned about my son, who is 1.5 years. He's such a sponge that he'll probably just accept the gradual changes, and we won't have to explain very much to him. I'm guessing that he'll not really have any memory of the male Dada.
Also- I wanted to say that, in a great way, you are already helping other trans people reach that point of confidence. I get a lot of my inspiration from the transition stories I read on this site... once I get past the initial jealousy anyway [emoji14]
I'm excited to get to the freedom you're experiencing, and it's enormously comforting to know that there's a light soon at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for sharing this!
Erika
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Quote from: Maddie86 on November 13, 2017, 07:28:26 PM
oh wow, you and I started on the exact same day! July 17th was my 31st birthday and it's when I decided to start!
More HRT buddies! Now we're triplets! My birthday was July 8th, so we're pretty close on that, too! That also makes us both Cancers. Which sounds really bad... I'm not a big fan of having a sign that's the same name as a horrible ailment.
Yeeeeea, I started July 12th ;)
However i don't feel much more feminine after 4months... I double my estrogen dosage after 3months in an attempt to speed the process up.
I started on 5th July. The emotional changes have hit me hard in the last few weeks, but I'm trying to ride out the storm. Physical changes have been quite good for this point so far, it's odd seeing my body change, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it.
There's lots of us July girls!
loes, don't be discouraged! You'll get there!
Hi girls 🙋 I'm a July girl too! Lots of emotional and physical changes. Sorting out the emotional parts have been the most work.
Hugs, Jessica 💁
Quote from: Sarah_P on November 13, 2017, 11:36:34 PM
More HRT buddies! Now we're triplets! My birthday was July 8th, so we're pretty close on that, too! That also makes us both Cancers. Which sounds really bad... I'm not a big fan of having a sign that's the same name as a horrible ailment.
terrible name AND we get stuck being crabs! not fair!
Mmmmm crab... There I go, back on food again [emoji4]
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Quote from: Maddie86 on November 14, 2017, 03:26:54 PM
terrible name AND we get stuck being crabs! not fair!
Not to mention the original Greek mythology of Cancer, or Karkinos, is either being stomped on or kicked into orbit by Hercules while fighting the Hydra.
Quote from: Sarah_P on November 14, 2017, 07:19:55 AM
There's lots of us July girls!
Another July girl here (19th) but unfortunately a Capricorn which I guess makes me an old goat!
I hadn't really noticed changes in my face until I read this thread. Looking at photos from four months ago, I can't believe how different I am. I guess when you look at your face every day, you don't necessarily register all those tiny, gradual changes
LaRell - you're looking great with the new hairstyle
My birthday is on July as well but I started HRT in June... Can I still be a July girl? ;)
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Quote from: Charlie Nicki on November 14, 2017, 06:56:04 PM
My birthday is on July as well but I started HRT in June... Can I still be a July girl? ;)
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You are in my book girlfriend.
Quote from: Jessica on November 14, 2017, 07:26:50 PM
You are in my book girlfriend.
Thanks Jess! ;)
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Quote from: Charlie Nicki on November 14, 2017, 06:56:04 PM
My birthday is on July as well but I started HRT in June... Can I still be a July girl? ;)
Close enough for me! Join the club!
Quote from: Charlie Nicki on November 14, 2017, 08:29:41 PM
Thanks Jess! ;)
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My birthday yesterday and I will begin Hormones Replacement in two weeks.
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Quote from: Charlie Nicki on November 14, 2017, 06:56:04 PM
My birthday is on July as well but I started HRT in June... Can I still be a July girl? ;)
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I'm right there too. Birthday in July and started hrt late June. We are one giant happy hen house.
Bari Jo
Quote from: Charlotte F on November 14, 2017, 06:07:25 PM
Another July girl here (19th) but unfortunately a Capricorn which I guess makes me an old goat!
I hadn't really noticed changes in my face until I read this thread. Looking at photos from four months ago, I can't believe how different I am. I guess when you look at your face every day, you don't necessarily register all those tiny, gradual changes
LaRell - you're looking great with the new hairstyle
I'm a Scorpio. ha ha. So is my wife. And sometimes we fight like two scorpions going for the kill. Ha ha.
Yes, isn't it trippy the changes in your face that you don't even realize? You are right, you see yourself in the mirror every day, but the changes are so gradual, that our mind changes with them to the point where we don't even notice it, until we come across a picture of ourselves from before HRT, and WOW! I can't really spot the differences so much, but just mentally I can tell that does not look like me anymore. On the first day I started HRT, I started taking pictures of my face. I was trying to do it every day because my intention is, after a year or two, to make a timelapse video so I can visually see the gradual changes over time. I have missed a lot of days, but that probably won't be noticeable since the changes are so gradual that a few days between pictures is not going to make much difference.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/37681223194_913fdb5ffb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY) (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4568/38444894031_4cd98841e4_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21zf8Ax)image1 (https://flic.kr/p/21zf8Ax) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/38444894381_ccec3fa5df_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21zf8Gz)image21 (https://flic.kr/p/21zf8Gz) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/38413362552_8e97da76e3_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21wswom)image3 (https://flic.kr/p/21wswom) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
Quote from: LaRell on November 15, 2017, 04:57:19 PM
I'm a Scorpio. ha ha. So is my wife. And sometimes we fight like two scorpions going for the kill. Ha ha.
Yes, isn't it trippy the changes in your face that you don't even realize? You are right, you see yourself in the mirror every day, but the changes are so gradual, that our mind changes with them to the point where we don't even notice it, until we come across a picture of ourselves from before HRT, and WOW! I can't really spot the differences so much, but just mentally I can tell that does not look like me anymore. On the first day I started HRT, I started taking pictures of my face. I was trying to do it every day because my intention is, after a year or two, to make a timelapse video so I can visually see the gradual changes over time. I have missed a lot of days, but that probably won't be noticeable since the changes are so gradual that a few days between pictures is not going to make much difference.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/37681223194_913fdb5ffb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY)beforeandafter (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY) by LaRell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/), on Flickr
OMG your changes are HUGE. Congrats!!
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Quote from: LaRell on November 15, 2017, 04:57:19 PM
I'm a Scorpio. ha ha. So is my wife. And sometimes we fight like two scorpions going for the kill. Ha ha.
Yes, isn't it trippy the changes in your face that you don't even realize? You are right, you see yourself in the mirror every day, but the changes are so gradual, that our mind changes with them to the point where we don't even notice it, until we come across a picture of ourselves from before HRT, and WOW! I can't really spot the differences so much, but just mentally I can tell that does not look like me anymore. On the first day I started HRT, I started taking pictures of my face. I was trying to do it every day because my intention is, after a year or two, to make a timelapse video so I can visually see the gradual changes over time. I have missed a lot of days, but that probably won't be noticeable since the changes are so gradual that a few days between pictures is not going to make much difference.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/37681223194_913fdb5ffb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY) (https://flic.kr/p/ZpL7RY) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
Wow - I can't believe how much you've changed. Very envious indeed!
HUGE changes, fab! X
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So I had more blood work done the other day. Here are some graphs of my results since I started, and having three blood tests since starting.
Here are my Estradiol levels:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4559/37840342035_67565fd6f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZDPDmg)Estradiol Graph (https://flic.kr/p/ZDPDmg) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
And here are my Testosterone levels:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/38695682762_2f2abcb26b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21Xpumb)Testosterone Graph (https://flic.kr/p/21Xpumb) by (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
Notice my Testosterone has made a very nice huge drop. My Estradiol however, was really low, then spiked way up, and then went way down again even though I was still taking the same dosages as when my Estradiol levels were so high. The only difference is, the test where they came back really high, I had taken two doses that morning about 30 minutes before the blood test, thinking there's no way it could affect the results because I did not think there was any way for it to get into my system that fast after taking it. But apparently it did, and made such a huge spike that my Endocrinologist was trying to cut my dose in half until I explained what happened, so she decided to keep me at the same dosage and see what the next bloodwork showed. Well.....now the most recent bloodwork, I did not want to skew the results again, so I waited til after the having my blood drawn to take that mornings dose. So it had been about 12 hours since my last dose. And as you can see, my Estradiol level was WAY down. So weird! I would have thought it would have stayed in my system longer than that. Seems weird that it can have the kinds of results it has, just from the spikes you reach shortly after taking it. I would think in order to have any decent results, that it would need to maintain a fairly consistent higher level.
So anyway, after the most recent results, my endocrinologist office called and told me to increase my Estradiol dosage to three times a day instead of just two. That made me super happy! I've already seen amazing results, so I love the thought of keeping the levels higher, more consistently. I am still kind of irritated by my Endocrinologists instruction to NOT take the Estradiol sublingually. The research I've found online all says that is a far better, safer way to take it. It absorbs better, and bypasses your liver. So I feel much better about taking it that way, but she says "No, just swallow it." If she is worried about my levels being too high taking it that way, I don't think that's really a problem since my blood work so far has indicated that sure it spikes, but then drops way down anyway. Is that spike really going to cause me any negative issues? My bloodwork shows that all of my other levels and kidney function and things are all perfectly fine.
I have seen similar spikes and valleys before and like you, i suspect it was the timing of taking the meds. I was up to about 950 one time and the doc also expressed some caution.
My Estradiol is taken about 9AM and 9PM most days, so theoretically it should be somewhat the same, with lowest levels right before those times.
Quote from: LaRell on November 29, 2017, 01:11:49 PM
So anyway, after the most recent results, my endocrinologist office called and told me to increase my Estradiol dosage to three times a day instead of just two. That made me super happy! I've already seen amazing results, so I love the thought of keeping the levels higher, more consistently. I am still kind of irritated by my Endocrinologists instruction to NOT take the Estradiol sublingually. The research I've found online all says that is a far better, safer way to take it. It absorbs better, and bypasses your liver. So I feel much better about taking it that way, but she says "No, just swallow it." If she is worried about my levels being too high taking it that way, I don't think that's really a problem since my blood work so far has indicated that sure it spikes, but then drops way down anyway. Is that spike really going to cause me any negative issues? My bloodwork shows that all of my other levels and kidney function and things are all perfectly fine.
nice, I'm glad you get an increase! You started a couple weeks before me and I'm going back to the doctor in 2 weeks and I hope to get an increase as well! Did your doctor say anything about why they want you to split your dose into 3 times a day? My doctor increased mine in september and I asked if I should spread it out and he said I can just take it all at once (he told me to take my estrogen sublingually though). You have me a little worried with that spike too, I'm going in friday to get my bloodwork done, I always take my estrogen as soon as I get up before I eat anything, I'm wondering if I should wait to take it until after the blood is drawn, I can't remember what I did last time!
Quote from: Maddie86 on November 29, 2017, 02:49:08 PM
nice, I'm glad you get an increase! You started a couple weeks before me and I'm going back to the doctor in 2 weeks and I hope to get an increase as well! Did your doctor say anything about why they want you to split your dose into 3 times a day? My doctor increased mine in september and I asked if I should spread it out and he said I can just take it all at once (he told me to take my estrogen sublingually though). You have me a little worried with that spike too, I'm going in friday to get my bloodwork done, I always take my estrogen as soon as I get up before I eat anything, I'm wondering if I should wait to take it until after the blood is drawn, I can't remember what I did last time!
You should go read this study at this website about that.: http://transascity.org/sublingual-versus-oral-estrogen/
They did some pretty extensive research to see how estradiol is absorbed when taken orally as opposed to sublingually, and also, about halfway down the page, they tested the differences between taking it all at once, as opposed to spreading it out throughout the day. You can see in the graph, that when it is taken all at once, you get a really high spike initially, and then slowly tapers off throughout the rest of the day. When taken spread out over 8 hour periods, you can see that you get a more consistently higher spike throughout the day, which then tapers off to levels lower at times than when it was all taken at the same time. However, the article goes on to say that the graph could be a little misleading, because supposedly our bodies don't have the ability to handle that much estradiol anyway, so anything above the 1,000 pg/ml is wasted anyway. So they did another graph, assuming that extra estradiol is wasted anyway, and the second graph would appear to support spreading them out through the day far more. But, as this person admits, there may be other aspects not taken into account. But it is some very interesting research for sure, and worth considering. Whether it is better to take it all at once as opposed to spread out over the day like my Endo suggested, I really don't know. I personally feel like spreading it out over the day seems to make more sense to me. That is unless the spikes are really where the changes happen, and in that case a much larger spike seems like it might be more beneficial especially since it appears based on the graph, that the levels still remain at a decent level throughout the rest of the day even when taken all at once. So I just don't know. Maybe some days I might experiment and take them all at once and see if I feel any different.
It's funny, because already, about 2 hours after taking one dose, my breasts start to tingle and hurt. It happens every time about 2 hours after taking the Estradiol pill. So I know for sure something is happening.
Quote from: LaRell on November 29, 2017, 01:11:49 PM
I am still kind of irritated by my Endocrinologists instruction to NOT take the Estradiol sublingually. The research I've found online all says that is a far better, safer way to take it. It absorbs better, and bypasses your liver. So I feel much better about taking it that way, but she says "No, just swallow it." If she is worried about my levels being too high taking it that way, I don't think that's really a problem since my blood work so far has indicated that sure it spikes, but then drops way down anyway. Is that spike really going to cause me any negative issues? My bloodwork shows that all of my other levels and kidney function and things are all perfectly fine.
I took estradiol sublingually vs orally and where it counts (well-being, breast growth, feminization), there was absolutely no difference.
As regards to high levels of estradiol, studies show much higher levels than this, even in populations whose age is quite advanced and health compromised, are relatively safe. I've been on levels consistently between 1,000-4,000 pg/ml for three years (estradiol never dropped under 1,000) and I had no issues, blood tests came back fine. In pregnant women, the risk of DVT is 0.1% despite levels between 1,000-75,000. And the following study,
Horm Metab Res. 1994 Sep;26(9):428-31."Thirteen osteopenic women received (...) estradiol valerate (...) by intramuscular injections once a week for 6 months (so called "pseudopregnancy")."
"Six patients were peri- or postmenopausal (49.5 + 4.8 years of age, group A)"
"The duration of the therapy was 6, and in 4 patients 9 months"
"Estradiol increased from 34.8 +/- 7.5 pg/ml to 3226 +/- 393 pg/ml after 3 months and to 2552 +/- 254 pg/ml after 6 months, respectively, in group A."
"In group B estradiol increased from 27.8 +/- 6.5 pg/ml to 3028 +/- 728 after 3 and to 2491 +/- 684 pg/ml after 6 months."
"We have experience with therapeutic pseudopregnancy in about 200 patients with mammahypoplasia (Lauritzen 1992). Its rate of objective and subjective tolerance is excellent."
"Investigations of lipids, liver enzymes and haemostasiology to be published later will show the absence of unwanted metabolic effects of this regimen."
"In conclusion, our data show, that the treatment (...) by means of high parenteral estrogen-progestogen depot injections is effective. Virtually no side effects occurred. The therapy is well accepted by the patients."
Quote from: LaRell on November 29, 2017, 03:36:14 PMthe article goes on to say that the graph could be a little misleading, because supposedly our bodies don't have the ability to handle that much estradiol anyway, so anything above the 1,000 pg/ml is wasted anyway.
Unsubstantiated assertion because 1) no such studies demonstrate this 2) pregnant women have levels higher than this, up to 75,000 pg/ml and if the human body couldn't handle levels above 1,000 pg/ml, why does the body produce such high amounts?
QuoteI personally feel like spreading it out over the day seems to make more sense to me.
More constant levels, less fluctuations might be better mentally because as levels drop quite precipitously, we might start to experience PMS :-\.
Quote from: KayXo on November 29, 2017, 05:29:43 PM
Unsubstantiated assertion because 1) no such studies demonstrate this 2) pregnant women have levels higher than this, up to 75,000 pg/ml and if the human body couldn't handle levels above 1,000 pg/ml, why does the body produce such high amounts?
More constant levels, less fluctuations might be better mentally because as levels drop quite precipitously, we might start to experience PMS :-\.
Thanks for the reply! Yes I have seen those stats before and I agree. I don't understand why some act like levels that high could be so dangerous, when there are so many cases of women having levels that high and having no ill effects. Research and studies are a very interesting thing. I try not to take any of them as absolute fact. But I love to learn what various research and tests have shown for sure.
Oh and yes, I don't want to be getting the PMS! I already have a wife that gives me my fair share of that! he he
Quote from: LaRell on November 29, 2017, 03:36:14 PM
You should go read this study at this website about that.: http://transascity.org/sublingual-versus-oral-estrogen/
They did some pretty extensive research to see how estradiol is absorbed when taken orally as opposed to sublingually, and also, about halfway down the page, they tested the differences between taking it all at once, as opposed to spreading it out throughout the day. You can see in the graph, that when it is taken all at once, you get a really high spike initially, and then slowly tapers off throughout the rest of the day. When taken spread out over 8 hour periods, you can see that you get a more consistently higher spike throughout the day, which then tapers off to levels lower at times than when it was all taken at the same time. However, the article goes on to say that the graph could be a little misleading, because supposedly our bodies don't have the ability to handle that much estradiol anyway, so anything above the 1,000 pg/ml is wasted anyway. So they did another graph, assuming that extra estradiol is wasted anyway, and the second graph would appear to support spreading them out through the day far more. But, as this person admits, there may be other aspects not taken into account. But it is some very interesting research for sure, and worth considering. Whether it is better to take it all at once as opposed to spread out over the day like my Endo suggested, I really don't know. I personally feel like spreading it out over the day seems to make more sense to me. That is unless the spikes are really where the changes happen, and in that case a much larger spike seems like it might be more beneficial especially since it appears based on the graph, that the levels still remain at a decent level throughout the rest of the day even when taken all at once. So I just don't know. Maybe some days I might experiment and take them all at once and see if I feel any different.
It's funny, because already, about 2 hours after taking one dose, my breasts start to tingle and hurt. It happens every time about 2 hours after taking the Estradiol pill. So I know for sure something is happening.
ooo, thanks for posting that, I learned a few things! I'm gunna start trying to make the pills last longer under my tongue! I'm gunna ask my doctor again if he ups my dosage if I should split it up or not. I take the estrogen first thing in the morning, if I split it up I feel like I might forget to take it later in the day, I know there were a couple days where I forgot to take my spiro after taking the estrogen. oops
It's been a few days now of taking the estradiol 3 times a day...... I actually feel a LOT better! I feel like my mood is maintaining more consistently throughout the whole day now whereas before, I was finding myself experiencing different emotions throughout the day, particularly toward the end of the day where it is reaching that 12 hours since my last dose. Now that I have only 8 hours between doses, I feel like I am maintaining a lot more level emotions, and the feelings of euphoria that the Estrogen gives me, is now lasting the entire day instead of only coming on for a while shortly after taking the dose. This is very very good!
Also.....I've been starting to wear a 36A bra now and then, and the cup was not quite filled, but now, it is starting to fill in a lot more, and my breast pretty much completely fills my cupped hand. I definitely have to be careful not to wear tight tee shirts if I don't want them to be exposed. A few weeks ago I went to yoga with my wife, and I wore this tight, womens workout shirt I bought at Costco. I did not wear a bra that day, and it wasn't til after yoga that I looked at myself in the mirror and thought "Oh crap! Maybe I shoudln't have wore this shirt!" Ha ha
With no bra on:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/38030732234_a553c04e2a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZWDrHU) (https://flic.kr/p/ZWDrHU) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
And with 36A bra:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4543/26971096089_1e791cb2fb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/H6kVd6) (https://flic.kr/p/H6kVd6) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
I am quite happy with my breast growth results already at only 4.5 months on HRT! Of course, I did have a little help. I used to weigh 334 pounds, and in 2009 I had an extremely successful weight loss surgery, and have been maintaining in the 160's for quite some time now. I literally lost over half of myself. But when I was big, I had some very large breasts. When I lost all of the weight, I was left with very deflated balloons on my chest. So now, they are effectively "re-inflating" and no longer super saggy, flat things. So I don't know if the fact that I had big breasts 8 years ago when I was 334 pounds, helps any now or not. But I will take it!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4545/38715927252_c5a641d08b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21Zcfk7) (https://flic.kr/p/21Zcfk7) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4518/37860266465_3dafe99a45_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ZFzLbV) (https://flic.kr/p/ZFzLbV) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152563975@N08/)
^I probably told you this before, but that's an amazing transformation.
Phenomenal transformation - I had only seen the more recent before and after pictures!
Glad to hear it's working out nicely with the change of dose. I've been having similar thoughts in my yoga outfit. It's probably about time to start wearing a sports bra - I had just been resisting as I thought the outline of the bra through my top would be more likely to 'out me' than not wearing one