Hi I know this is probably an easy question to answer but I am just wondering. If I am on X amount of spiro and X amount of estrogen and want the best feminizing results, should I take all the pills for that day at one set time such as in the morning? Or should I divide it up and take an equal dosage of E+spiro three times a day as I've been doing? Just wanted to make sure I am doing this right! I would ask my endo but I'm sure someone can answer this for me real quick :)
Also, my endo told me to be aware of any cramping in the calves because this could be due to kidney or liver malfunction (cant remember which organ he said)? How likely is that to occur? And if DVT /blood clots are developing, are there any signs/symptoms I can be aware of that could foreshadow a blood clot about to happen? Thanks so much!
Hi Jasmine!
As for the pills, I'm not sure if there really is any benefit to dividing them up vs. taking them all at once. I usually take my hormones in the morning, it's just easier for me so I don't have to worry about it during the day.
As for the other health issues, just note anything out of the ordinary and let your endo know. Symptoms vary, so if you notice something different or feel something may be wrong, be safe and let your doctors know. I have been on hormones since early 2007 and only once had leg cramping, but it turned out to be nothing serious. Regular blood work per your endo and good communication with your doctors is the best way to pursue healthy hormone replacement.
I took my Spiro at breakfast and dinner with extra water. I took my Estrace (estrogen) when I woke up and before I went to bed, dissolving the tablet under my tongue. I found that these methods way the concentration in the blood is more even through the day and I felt better than all at once.
However, I was given no directions as to how to take my pills by my doctor.
Maggie
Yes there is a benefit in divided doses. Oral Estradiol is completely metabolised in 12-15 hours. Either way if you take your whole dose at once your levels are going to vary more than if you take even semi-regular divided doses. Spiro metabolises in about 24 hours, however it's anti-androgen effects are cumulative in each direction so you have a little more leeway, but your'e already taking your estradiol twice a day so why not.
Finasteride and Dutasteride are no biggy, they have half lives of like three months. For some reason they say to take them in the morning though, I dunno or care enough to find out why :P
My Endo's instructions were to take half in the morning and half at night.
The actual half-life of Estrogen is short.....
("The apparent half-life of E2 after discontinuing a transdermal E2 patch is 2.7 h or 161 min." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9473164 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9473164) )
Finasteride is not much longer.......
("After 6 months of treatment with: Circulating
dihydrotestosterone levels are reduced to castrate levels without
significant effects on circulating testosterone; levels return to
normal within 14 days of discontinuation of treatment........
Half-life elimination, serum: Elderly: 8 hours; Adults: 6 hours (3-16)"
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/483630.html (http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/483630.html) )
- Dutasteride is 5 weeks.
edit-dosage
Oops....sorry Nero for inadvertant dosage info :-\