Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: dawnforever86 on December 07, 2017, 09:18:49 AM

Title: Hormones, Hot Flashes, Fruity Solution?
Post by: dawnforever86 on December 07, 2017, 09:18:49 AM
Hi Everyone!

So I have a question regarding hormone balancing, and I was wondering if anyone else had experience in this area. So when I began (E injections and Spiro), I would have hot flashes the day before my injection. At first, I thought it might be that amount of the injection, but after appropriately increasing my dose, nothing really changed. So I just wrote it off as something I'd have to learn to deal with. But recently I ate a grapefruit (not knowing at the time that it increases E levels temporarily), and it's the day before my injection... no hot flashes!

I use an app (Medisafe) to track my daily meds, as well as what I eat and drink. My E came up saying that it had a reaction with grapefruit, so I started looking into it. Grapefruit apparently raises some E levels and peaks around 8 hours before dropping again... I'm wondering if by eating that fruit the day before my usual hot flashes, I'm circumventing them, or if it might just be coincidence.

Than you all for any replies or insight into this!
Title: Re: Hormones, Hot Flashes, Fruity Solution?
Post by: Devlyn on December 07, 2017, 10:28:20 AM
My understanding is that the grapefruit prevents the body from metabolizing the estrogen out, resulting in a higher level in the body.
Title: Re: Hormones, Hot Flashes, Fruity Solution?
Post by: KathyLauren on December 07, 2017, 10:29:59 AM
Hi, Dawn!

Welcome to Susan's.  Please feel free to stop by the Introductions forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) to tell the members about yourself.

Interesting discovery.  I had heard about this interaction before.  I would just caution anyone thinking to manipulate their E levels this way to clear it with your prescribing doctor first.

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Title: Re: Hormones, Hot Flashes, Fruity Solution?
Post by: Dena on December 07, 2017, 04:18:46 PM
This is something you need to discuss with your endo. People may be more sensitive to their estrogen drop or estrogen may drop at different rates. The normal solution would be more frequent injections at a lower dosage so your estrogen level don't drop as much between injections. As for grape fruit, that's something else you  need to discuss with your endo. Occasional consumption isn't a problem but regular consumption should be reviewed by a doctor.