Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Vickie0515 on December 05, 2017, 12:44:24 PM

Title: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: Vickie0515 on December 05, 2017, 12:44:24 PM
hey so im supposed to go for my regular blood test to check on my e levels however i am worried because i have been going through alot and havent been taking my meds lately and i was woundering how to instantly increase my e levels for the test and then just keep going as i should and normally would. i am only scared because my last test was really low and i am just waiting to go for surgery and they need to see the levels higher. i was woundering if anyone had any ideas? also woud it just work if i took extra e pills the day of the test to make it seam my levels are higher nd what they should be?
Title: Re: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: Bari Jo on December 05, 2017, 01:25:00 PM
Quote from: Vickie0515 on December 05, 2017, 12:44:24 PM
hey so im supposed to go for my regular blood test to check on my e levels however i am worried because i have been going through alot and havent been taking my meds lately and i was woundering how to instantly increase my e levels for the test and then just keep going as i should and normally would. i am only scared because my last test was really low and i am just waiting to go for surgery and they need to see the levels higher. i was woundering if anyone had any ideas? also woud it just work if i took extra e pills the day of the test to make it seam my levels are higher nd what they should be?

First off, sorry to hear you are going through a lot.  It's tough being who and what we are.  I'm sure others will pipe in to tell you about the dangers of taking extra pills to show a higher level.  I'm going to comment on the health care in general instead.  A doctor wants honesty in order to give you the best possible care for you.  They will want to know that you haven't been taking your meds.  If that means delaying the surgery, or changing the type of care and after care for your surgery, they'd want to know, so they can plan for your care accordingly.

I hope you are getting better.  Welcome to Susan's too.

Bari Jo
Title: Re: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: SadieBlake on December 05, 2017, 01:40:55 PM
Don't increase dose nothing good will come of that.

Assuming you're taking it orally, all you have to do is resume indicated doses for 2-3 days. The half life of oral estradiol is quite short.

I don't think there's a requirement that you be at any particular level for surgery. Yes you have to be on HRT for a year. Also, be up front with your doc because even if your e levels are correct, the rest of the blood work would probably be affected. I'd want to be on a steady dose for at least a week, probably more before doing liver function tests.
Title: Re: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: KathyLauren on December 05, 2017, 02:16:51 PM
I agree with the advice above.  Go back on your regular prescription dose.  Don't take extra pills.  If you are on your regular dose, your levels on the blood test will be accurate.  If you take extra, your levels will be way off, and your doctor might cut back on your prescription because they were too high!

Tell your doctor that you were off your meds for a while.  Include dates if you can.  That way, if the lab test come back low, he will know why, and can make whatever adjustment is necessary to get you back on track.
Title: Re: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: Devlyn on December 05, 2017, 02:23:18 PM
Hi, Vickie, welcome to Susan's Place! I agree that you should just go back on your regular dosing. And don't fret, everything's going to be fine.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: SadieBlake on December 05, 2017, 01:40:55 PM
Don't increase dose nothing good will come of that.

Assuming you're taking it orally, all you have to do is resume indicated doses for 2-3 days. The half life of oral estradiol is quite short.

I don't think there's a requirement that you be at any particular level for surgery. Yes you have to be on HRT for a year. Also, be up front with your doc because even if your e levels are correct, the rest of the blood work would probably be affected. I'd want to be on a steady dose for at least a week, probably more before doing liver function tests.

The one year is a guideline, not a requirement. I had surgery seven months after going on HRT. It depends on where you are in your transition, and your doctor's personal protocols.
Title: Re: need help i am scared about my horomone levels
Post by: Laurie on December 05, 2017, 04:12:14 PM
Hi Vickie

  I'm Laurie. Others have already given you good advice so I will not repeat it. Instead please let me say, Welcome To Susan's Place! Come on in and take a good look around.  Perhaps I can even get you to hop on over to the Introductions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) Thread and  create a post to tell us a little bit more about yourself so we can get to know you a little better and greet you properly. I'll add some links and information below that can help you get more out of our site. Please take time to become familiar with them especially the RED one as we are always getting questions that are answered there.
Laurie
Global Moderator
Laurie@susans.org

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