Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Chris39 on December 20, 2018, 01:04:53 PM

Title: Starting estrogen
Post by: Chris39 on December 20, 2018, 01:04:53 PM
Ok so I start estrogen in 2weeks I had a on line chat with my dr yesterday go the 4 of Jan to start so question is it normal to start with e alone to start with and no t blockers
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: DawnOday on December 20, 2018, 01:10:33 PM
I would think it requires blood tests to establish a baseline and use that as the basis for what medications you require.
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Northern Star Girl on December 20, 2018, 01:11:23 PM
Quote from: Chris39 on December 20, 2018, 01:04:53 PM
Ok so I start estrogen in 2weeks I had a on line chat with my dr yesterday go the 4 of Jan to start so question is it normal to start with e alone to start with and no t blockers

@Chris39
Dear Chris:
Many times doctors will start with T Blockers before E....   or they may start them both at the same time....  or, as in your case, E first by itself.
   
Doctors are guided by their patients blood test results and the doctor's own preference for how they administer HRT to their patients as a result of their medical experience.....   
.... that is why we always should have medically supervised HRT.... there is NO "one rule fits all" for these types of things.

Wishing you well, and congratulations on getting started on your HRT journey at the beginning of the New Year.

Please keep us all updated if you feel so led.
Danielle
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Joanne ONeal on December 20, 2018, 08:56:23 PM
Chris39;

I know the feeling! I received my Spiro and E Patches in the mail today. Now I need to find the courage to start!
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Jessica_Rose on December 20, 2018, 09:06:11 PM
My doctor has over 15 years experience working with transgender patients, but I expect no two are exactly alike. She started me on estradiol only, and she did not order any baseline hormone tests. After four months my testosterone was still over 600, so she added spironolactone. Four months later my T was down to 100, but my estrogen levels were only in the mid-50's. A few checkups later I was successful in getting my estradiol doubled, and my estrogen levels went up to 240, while my T become unmeasurably low -- and I was happier than ever.

By the way... enjoy the ride Joanne and Chris39!
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: NatalieRene on December 20, 2018, 09:39:19 PM
Quote from: Chris39 on December 20, 2018, 01:04:53 PM
Ok so I start estrogen in 2weeks I had a on line chat with my dr yesterday go the 4 of Jan to start so question is it normal to start with e alone to start with and no t blockers
When I started my endocrinologist never put me on blockers. Each person is different don't worry if you are or aren't.
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Linde on December 20, 2018, 10:51:54 PM
I never ha an "official" blood test, but bcause of my Type II diabetes I have a blood test done every 3 months.  My endo based his prescription on the last of my blood tests that was about 3 weeks old at the time.

At ha time I was already on the strongest dose of Finasteride for about 6 years (I wonder if anything of my prostate is left by now?).  I was put on estrogen only.  it did not show any effect except swollen feet, and after the one month check up I was put on spiro in addition.  That took car of my swollen feet.   My feet don't have a chance anymore to swell up, because I might as well not drink anything, but poor it into the toilet right from the beverage container.
But otherwise, I still do not feel any physical changes!
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Lisa89125 on December 20, 2018, 11:44:21 PM
Quote from: Dietlind on December 20, 2018, 10:51:54 PM
I never ha an "official" blood test, but bcause of my Type II diabetes I have a blood test done every 3 months.  My endo based his prescription on the last of my blood tests that was about 3 weeks old at the time.

At ha time I was already on the strongest dose of Finasteride for about 6 years (I wonder if anything of my prostate is left by now?).  I was put on estrogen only.  it did not show any effect except swollen feet, and after the one month check up I was put on spiro in addition.  That took car of my swollen feet.   My feet don't have a chance anymore to swell up, because I might as well not drink anything, but poor it into the toilet right from the beverage container.
But otherwise, I still do not feel any physical changes!

Linde, I've heard some don't see any changes at all from HRT. I wonder if being intersex XX has anything to do with Estrogen not having any effect on your body?

Lisa
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Quinn on December 21, 2018, 05:47:42 AM
My endo  started me on estradiol only, about 6 months in I requested spiro , used that for about 3 weeks but it wasn't for me so ive been on estradiol only HRT for 18months .
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Linde on December 21, 2018, 07:02:05 AM
Quote from: Lisa89125 on December 20, 2018, 11:44:21 PM
Linde, I've heard some don't see any changes at all from HRT. I wonder if being intersex XX has anything to do with Estrogen not having any effect on your body?

Lisa
That would be XXY , but you are right, I am almost afraid that I just take it like candy.  After all, the pills have a sweet taste to them!
It took my breasts almost 5 years o grow to a B cup size, I wonder if I have to wait another 5 years for them to grow into a C cup?
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Joanne ONeal on December 21, 2018, 11:52:38 AM
Quote from: Quinn on December 21, 2018, 05:47:42 AM
My endo  started me on estradiol only, about 6 months in I requested spiro , used that for about 3 weeks but it wasn't for me so ive been on estradiol only HRT for 18months .


Quinn; Did you have issues/neg. side effects with spiro?
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Lisa89125 on December 21, 2018, 11:59:04 AM
Quote from: Dietlind on December 21, 2018, 07:02:05 AM
That would be XXY , but you are right, I am almost afraid that I just take it like candy.  After all, the pills have a sweet taste to them!
It took my breasts almost 5 years o grow to a B cup size, I wonder if I have to wait another 5 years for them to grow into a C cup?

I'm hopeful for you that you won't have to wait another 5 years.

I'm hoping for C cup myself. Although C cup is rare apparently.

Lisa
Title: Re: Starting estrogen
Post by: Linde on December 21, 2018, 12:51:05 PM
Quote from: Lisa89125 on December 21, 2018, 11:59:04 AM
I'm hopeful for you that you won't have to wait another 5 years.

I'm hoping for C cup myself. Although C cup is rare apparently.

Lisa
Common wisdom seems to be that one will be about a cup size less than the closest female relatives.  Both, my mother and my sister looked as if the had a pretty solid D size.  Because of this, i might be getting a C, if anything happens at all.
I am sitting with a small B here already, and that was of my bodies own doing, prior to any hormone treatment.