So I just got my blood test results back from my GP and both my estrogen and testosterone levels both dropped.  This has me really worried since I was hoping my levels were up.  I'm currently using transition dosages of both spiro and sublingual estradiol so I'm not sure why this happened. 

Blood test at 2 1/2 months on HRT:
Testosterone:  32 pg/ml
Estrogen:  136 pg/ml

Blood test at 4 months on HRT:
Testosterone: 10 pg/ml
Estrogen:  66 pg/ml

My GP recommended that I switch to injectable estrogen because it seems like sublingual delivery wasn't working too well for me.  The only thing is, I hate needles and I really really don't want to experience the major mood swings that I've heard about when on injections.  I can't do patches because I'm highly active and I was thinking about getting pellets done but my GP doesn't provide it. 

I've been thinking about fly out just to get pellets so I don't have to worry about all that, I just have no idea who provides the service.

You might talk about pills. They will require you take them every day but I would take them with breakfast. With the blockers you wouldn't need to have the super high doses we used before the blockers were available and they provide a pretty uniform delivery.

Quote from: Dena on December 08, 2015, 06:52:41 PM
You might talk about pills. They will require you take them every day but I would take them with breakfast. With the blockers you wouldn't need to have the super high doses we used before the blockers were available and they provide a pretty uniform delivery.

I wanted to avoid pills because I've heard they weren't as effective and I really didn't want any more things that has to go through my liver other than spiro.  I'm not worried about my T levels since it seems the spiro is working, just can't figure out why my E dropped.

I did a little nosing around the web and I found Sublingual Estrogen. You dissolve the tablet under your tongue and it goes directly into your blood stream bypassing the digestive track and eliminating the first pass through the liver that you are concerned about. That may be the best of both worlds.

E taken sublingually peaks and drops quite rapidly and levels will depend on when you get tested. Fluctuation in levels is totally normal. The important thing is that you feel good and that feminization is going well.

I didn't do well on sublingual/oral, no matter the dose. Switching to injections was a major improvement for me. I was deathly afraid of needles and 1 yr later, I am doing them myself! You can do it. ...if necessary. 

The E from pills is difficult to measure consistently throughout the day from a blood test unless you take the pills exactly at the same time and have the blood test at the same time. With injections (IM) you would need to measure the same day and time within your cycle.

I was on pills and switched to injections. The 14 day cycle was too long and I do a 10 day cycle which is fine. I do not get the "lows".

I fainted during my blood test prior to my 1st injection training ( they still kid me about mushroom Bisk soup at Mazzoni) and had to reschedule my injection training. 1st injection training I fainted. The second injection training I almost fainted but was cleared for injections. Now it is not an issue. I do the injections in bed and if there ever was an issue I would just lye back.

In time you may want to try pills (sublingual), IM and pellets. I would be on pellets but Mazzoni does not do pellets and I will not switch to somewhere else.

Hi Autumnleaf,

College Pharmacy in Colardo can post implants, complete with insert kit for your GP. Implants don't metabolise in the liver and provide a consistent form of delivery. Just had mine replaced after 2 years.

Hope this helps. Speak to you as soon as I finish making a skirt.

Huggs
Catherine

Thank you ladies for the responses and information.  This really still has me worried a bit, honestly.

Quote from: KayXo on December 08, 2015, 08:00:56 PM
E taken sublingually peaks and drops quite rapidly and levels will depend on when you get tested. Fluctuation in levels is totally normal. The important thing is that you feel good and that feminization is going well.

I didn't do well on sublingual/oral, no matter the dose. Switching to injections was a major improvement for me. I was deathly afraid of needles and 1 yr later, I am doing them myself! You can do it. ...if necessary.

Thank you KayXo, I think (or hope that's what has happened with my levels.  Just feel like that level is super low.)  You're totally right though, I have been feeling pretty well although I'm not sure how well the feminization is going since I'm not totally sure where I should be in terms of changes.  I'll definitely talk with my GP about needles. 

Quote from: Cynthia Michelle on December 08, 2015, 08:03:01 PM
The E from pills is difficult to measure consistently throughout the day from a blood test unless you take the pills exactly at the same time and have the blood test at the same time. With injections (IM) you would need to measure the same day and time within your cycle.

I was on pills and switched to injections. The 14 day cycle was too long and I do a 10 day cycle which is fine. I do not get the "lows".

In time you may want to try pills (sublingual), IM and pellets. I would be on pellets but Mazzoni does not do pellets and I will not switch to somewhere else.

I'm actually on sublingual right now and was thinking about pellets but my GP doesn't offer it since you can't really stop or change doses easily if you need to.  I'll probably look into shorter cycles so I don't go through those lows but I'm still kind of worried about injections. 

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on December 08, 2015, 09:50:08 PM
Hi Autumnleaf,

College Pharmacy in Colardo can post implants, complete with insert kit for your GP. Implants don't metabolise in the liver and provide a consistent form of delivery. Just had mine replaced after 2 years.

Hope this helps. Speak to you as soon as I finish making a skirt.

Huggs
Catherine

Thank you miss Sarah, I'll definitely talk to my GP about possibly seeing if she is willing to do the implants.  I have a strange feeling she probably wont but you never know. 

Hi Autumnleaf,

Quote from: Autumnleaf on December 09, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
Thank you ladies for the responses and information.  This really still has me worried a bit, honestly.

If you're still worried, find yourself an Endocronoligist who knows what she/he's doing. Not all GP know the finer sciences of HT.

Quote from: Autumnleaf on December 09, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
Thank you KayXo, I think (or hope that's what has happened with my levels.  Just feel like that level is super low.)

p

Transition = My body, My responsibility. This should be your Mantra. After all, at the end of the day, you are the one that has to live with yourself. Doctors don't have to live with you.

Get copies of all tests, so YOU know what's going on. Feelings aren't a good enough guide.

Quote from: Autumnleaf on December 09, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
I'm actually on sublingual right now and was thinking about pellets but my GP doesn't offer it since you can't really stop or change doses easily if you need to.

If your GP/Endo is doing their job properly, there's no need to stop or change doses. If your GP doesn't offer implants, find an Endo who does. As I said before,my our body, your responsibility.

Quote from: Autumnleaf on December 09, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
Thank you miss Sarah, I'll definitely talk to my GP about possibly seeing if she is willing to do the implants.  I have a strange feeling she probably wont but you never know.

See previous comments.

Speak to you as soon as I put the fire on.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Autumnleaf on December 09, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
I'm not sure how well the feminization is going since I'm not totally sure where I should be in terms of changes

Beginning of breast growth/buds, darkening of areolas, emergence of Montgomery's glands on areola. Subcutaneous deposition of fat in thighs, buttocks, breasts, face, softening features of body. Slowing down of body hair growth. Face slowly feminizing, rounder and people making comments or just calling you Miss and Madam. Softer skin, less oily, hair too. Body odor disappearance. Feeling more emotional, perhaps less aggressive, calmer. Etc. These are things you and your doctor should discuss about and you should have been informed about.

QuoteI'm actually on sublingual right now

To reiterate, sublingual will give levels that are very different from one hour to another. For instance, one study showed levels to be 4-5 times lower 2-3 hours later. It will drop down (and rise) VERY quickly, causing in some, mood swings.

QuoteI'm still kind of worried about injections.

If it's fear of needles, you'll get over it. Trust me. I know!