So, here's my current train of thought.

I'm thinking about contacting the transgender intake counselor at my local clinic for a couple of reasons. One, I need to get trans sensitive primary care. The next thing I wanna talk to him are different levels of HRT. They have doctors that will provide this on an Informed Consent model and I think if I could take HRT low and slow enough that I wouldn't have very many physical changes yet. It's just that I don't know if my employer is trans sensitive. They are progressive in terms of LGB but who knows about the T.

I guess I'm just wondering if I could take HRT to feel like I'm progressing in my transition and maybe get some favorable effects. Is a slow and steady dose something that can be done? In the future, when I'm ready, I would amp up the amount obviously. This would be a 'for right now' thing.

I'm low dose, it works, much more slowly. The side effects are different, fatigue and mood swings aren't uncommon due to hormone levels.  My T is low for a male, high for a female and my E is low for a female and high for a male.  That in between zone is great for pace, not so great for hormone levels.  I'm not complaining though, it works for us right now.  The key thing is though, yes I'm progressing, body changes and all. Instead of a one year transition finished off in 2-3 more, it's a 3 year transition, finished off in 1-2 more.

Few places will really start you on anything more than a low dose....I control my own regimen and I set a time to go full time 18 months after starting hormones, but even on that low dose I have like massive breast development, which while this elates me, it puts pressure on my initial time schedule....My point is a low dose can take a really long time for changes, but it might not, in my cases changes have been happening quite quick. I do welcome these changes though, so we will just have to see about that schedule I made pre-HRT.

Even if you go normal pace you'll find the changes won't be that obvious for at least 9-12 months anyway. But it's a case of different strokes for different folks, I know someone on low dose E (and Finasteride) and she reports constant and increasingly noticeable breast growth and she's now at about ten months.

My suggestion would be, why not find out where your employer stands on LGBT? No need to put the brakes on your transition if you don't want/need to.

Quote from: Hikari on June 28, 2014, 05:40:47 PM
Few places will really start you on anything more than a low dose....

Very true!

Low dose didn't do much for me physically, but psychologically it helped immeasurably.

Low dose hrt is definitely doable over a lengthy period.  While ymmv the emotional rather than physical changes will be the most pronounced.   Skin, hair will change quite quickly, female typical fat deposits take some time but will be influenced by diet and weight change.

I recommend keeping a log book as even quite minor dosages in low dose hrt can make a significant difference.  Doing this will allow you to speak with your endo and partner with them in selecting a dosage that meets your needs in terms of pace, extent and nature of change.

In parallel you can work on hair removal etc so you can definitely achieve the progress you seek.  It also gives you time to understand and to successfully navigate  the work and other issues which you may face

Just as an aside you may also discover that your objectives or path may also change.  Relax into this, don't over think and it will be a smooth transition into the person and identity you choose to be and to express

I am in my 3rd year of low dose hrt, and have varied my dosage with endo supervision.  Along the way I discovered that I was non binary and an MTA transition was what I desired.  The only unusual piece was a breast reduction driven by unnecessarily large dosage of  HRT early in my transition.

Safe travels

Aisla

Thanks for the responses!

I'm just a very self doubting person is all. I'm afraid of making a mistake is all/ screwing up my life.

Quote from: Ms Grace on June 28, 2014, 05:42:57 PM

My suggestion would be, why not find out where your employer stands on LGBT? No need to put the brakes on your transition if you don't want/need to.

I know they are progressive in terms of the LGB, at least superficially (I've never had any 'tone it down' kinda comments). For now, outside of my immediate social circle, I live my life as a 'gay' (and this is how I've identified for a long time). However, I am not quite so sure how they feel about all things trans related.

I agree you can still see noticeable changes quickly. I did. A cup in a year and headed to a B cup this year.  Skin, hair, hair disappearing where I want it gone, some curves all of it working on low dose.

My current doctor started me on a low dose of E, then the year after that added Spiro. Everyone has their own pace transitioning, and I'm slower than some. I'm currently prescribed way more than I was when I started, and this is all under a doctors care who specializes in trans healthcare.

Hi Poetic Heart;
I am on a low dose HRT this time around (about Month 16 now although I had a break for 2 months due to a Health scare from month 12).
After blood tests, my doctor discovered I actually had very low T Levels to start with (a little over 5.0), so with Oestrogen only, my T levels are now down to 1.75 well within CIS Female levels 0-2.5, but very low for normal male (6-40). I am not on Androgen blockers or Progesterone this time around, although I would prefer to be on as combined E +P  cycle as I was some 25 years ago when I transitioned before, but because of my age, the doctor doesn't want me to do it. He started me on s very low dose, but has upped in 3 times although I am still on s very low dosage (by comparison to most people). Part of the reason is for social reasons in that I am still working in a male role, although I  do spend as much time as possible in my female role.

On the positive side, I have tremendous changes emotionally, I definitely feel more gentle, more attune with other women, in fact I think the Oestrogen has had a very positive effect on re-tuning my thinking. I am though turning into a bit of a scatty female with some of my driving skills deteriorating (I cannot reverse the car very well now). Also I am constantly checking my makeup in my mirror at traffic lights!.
I cry a lot easier, my skin  has become really very soft all over and I have had breast development (small B Cup), but they are still growing. I have also added 2 inches to the bottom and hips (cant wear male trousers any longer a I keep splitting the seams), but I look great in Women's jeans! My body odour and urine smell has changed, my testicles have shrunken dramatically as has my p... (Much easier to tuck), but I have put  fatty tissue on my lower abdomen. I think my face is changing slowly (my cheeks look a bit fuller and so do my lips.

I have noticed that men smell sort of yummy, but I am no longer smelling Women as much. I also notice that some men are treating me differently - sort of with condescension. My Doctor reckons its because I am giving off lots of female pheromones.
My hair on my head  has become much softer and body hair is becoming more downy and quite fine. The more I wax the thinner the spread seems and the hair takes 10-12 weeks to grow back rather 2-3.

Being on low dose  can dramatically relieve the dysphoria, allowing one to focus on Laser/electrolysis treatments on the face and elsewhere. Even though I have had a lot of Electrolysis done on my face, I am finding laser very good at clearing large areas and have now started getting treatment on my décolleté (breast/chest area? and legs/bikini line. I cannot get rid of my body hair fast enough!

I am also now attending water aerobics, Pilates and doing regular workouts on the treadmill to reduce my weight and male tummy fat deposits, so that female typical fat deposits will be influenced by the diet and weight change.

The important thing is to closely monitor your Testosterone levels (you want top aim for a CIS Female level of between 0-2.5. so aiming for  a dosage that meets your needs in terms of pace and nature of change.

Like me, low dosage has meant that I have been able to significantly reduce the dysphoria I have felt given me time to successfully navigate  the work and other issues that I have faced.
Judith

Low dose is helpful.

I've been on lowish for two and half years now, trying to avoid transition.  It's worked well in reducing my dysphoria to manageable levels.  Ymmv and all.

Linky to my experience in detail in my sig.  Feel free to pm me if you have questions after reading it.