I've been confused lately as it seems every 10 minutes I'm either too hot or too cold, sometimes causing me to sweat.

Is estrogen or an absence of testosterone causing this? Am I experiencing hot flashes? I might be wrong, but I thought it was only during menopause, or during an absense of estrogen, do those occur?

My endocrinologist noted that they saw an increase in my prolactin levels, and I read that the pituitary gland is responsible for thermal regulation in the body, so maybe that's out of balance and what is causing this?

I'm constantly taking my sweater off and putting it back on, and my boyfriend tells me to make up my mind... 

I'm not sure.  When I was getting hot flashes it was like my face just heated up.  It would get really hot and would blush.  Not sure if this is the case for you, but it's possible.

When my E gets out of whack (ie. forget to change a patch) I feel really hot and flushed, slightly dizzy and it stays that way for a bit and settles down once I can cool off.

Quote from: learningtolive on May 05, 2014, 10:57:11 AM
I'm not sure.  When I was getting hot flashes it was like my face just heated up.  It would get really hot and would blush.  Not sure if this is the case for you, but it's possible.

I've actually been experiencing something similar to this. It seems my cheeks and hairline above my forehead get hot (and I do blush).

Quote from: ShawnaB on May 05, 2014, 11:00:38 AM
When my E gets out of whack (ie. forget to change a patch) I feel really hot and flushed, slightly dizzy and it stays that way for a bit and settles down once I can cool off.

Do you think missing a single sublingual dose per day might trigger this? It seems like my blushing/hairline sweating has been constant for a long time, but I also remember missing a dose a few days ago. Might these symptoms last a few days? Still seems to be ongoing...

I've only used patches so can't tell you about any other form. My experience has been that as soon as I've got a new patch on (within an hour anyway) I'm fine. When I started HRT it was all over the place for me for awhile while we got the dosages sorted out, so hopefully you're getting your levels done regularly and can work with your endo to get this solved sooner rather than later. HRT is serious powerful stuff and for me, it took a few months for everything to settle down. Unless I forget to change a patch, it's rock steady now.

Usually, these symptoms appear when E levels are too low or are on the decline. With headaches as well. Waking up in the middle of the night sweating, etc. You might not be taking enough E or it might be fluctuating too much (sublingual?). Advise your doctor and see what they say.

Androcur will significantly tend to raise prolactin levels and VERY high levels of estradiol which is usually unlikely on oral doses of bio-identical estradiol typically prescribed to us.

Quote from: KayXo on May 06, 2014, 01:14:09 PMYou might not be taking enough E or it might be fluctuating too much (sublingual?).

I do indeed take estrogen sublingually and I believe that AND too high of a dose might be my issue...

I've recently had three labs drawn and they all reported widely different levels of estrogen being present. I didn't change anything in my regimen or lifestyle except the times of the labs drawn especially according to how soon or long after I took my dose.

I tried to illustrate what I'm talking about here...


I got my labs drawn before I took my dose and my levels were very low, then a few hours after I took it and got moderate levels, then immediately after my dose and my levels were really high. It seems my levels are going from high to low twice per day (every 12 hours when I take my dose).

If this is true I can't imagine it being good for my body or transition progress...

teeg, I think it's best for you to get back to your endo and have a chat.
Missing a single dose shouldn't mess you up this much, I suspect that there's something else going on and your endo may want to adjust your dosages or change the method of delivery.

Perhaps just taking it orally then where levels are more stable...ask your doc what he thinks. I've never had hot flashes from high E, always from low to declining E. 

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

I just got back from my endocrinologist and they advised me to switch to swallowing the pill rather than taking it sublingually. They said there isn't a lot of researching on whether or not sublingual levels fluctuate so much, but that they wouldn't be surprised.

They also lowered my dose a bit and advised me to stop taking Cyproterone. They told me Cyproterone tells the pituitary gland to stop the conversion of different hormones being made into testosterone, which estrogen does naturally by itself. However, I am staying on Finasteride.

Quote from: teeg on May 07, 2014, 02:25:12 PM
They said there isn't a lot of researching on whether or not sublingual levels fluctuate so much, but that they wouldn't be surprised.

There actually is. Just search on www.pubmed.com with keywords "sublingual" "estrogen" "estradiol" "micronized". You can show those studies to your endo.

Quote from: teeg on May 07, 2014, 02:25:12 PMThey also lowered my dose a bit and advised me to stop taking Cyproterone. They told me Cyproterone tells the pituitary gland to stop the conversion of different hormones being made into testosterone, which estrogen does naturally by itself. However, I am staying on Finasteride.

I think what they meant to say is that cyproterone acetate reduces production of the pituitary gland hormone (Luteinizing Hormone) which stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone and that estradiol does the same BUT orally, a significant amount of estradiol is usually needed to suppress testicles enough so that T levels are in female range whereas it takes a pretty low of cyproterone to do the same. Watch for increasing androgenization symptoms and if these appear, advise your endo immediately.

Also be aware taking e sublingual will give higer peaks and troughs with serum estradiol levels, about +/- 3 hours, and orally it is around +/- 5-6 hours, depending on metabolism efficacy when introduction. The same mg taken orally vs sublingual may be smaller in delivered e due to liver pass, but it will be steadier.

Just a tiny thought as well.

I had some hot flashes when my uterus was getting overridden by testosterone. It was really unmistakably strange and awful. When it would happen I felt so hot I thought I would pass out. I would sweat and pant and wherever it happened, I had to sit down. I would chug water and I felt like I was dying or something before I realized what was going on.

Even if what you are experiencing is abnormal or unwelcome it's not surprising. I hope you manage to find a comfortable balance.