So I have a question. I would normally talk to my doctor about it but I have to miss my appointment for tomorrow so it'll be awhile before I get to see her.

What is the normal E level that doctors look for when transitioning.  I got labs done on the 6th and it came back 125 pg/ml. I've been on HRT almost a year and have not had much feminizing effects.

Testosterone was measured at 76 this time which is up a little from last time which was 70. This is after upping the dose of Spiro

I'm just getting a little frustrated by the lack of feminization.

There are probably lots of opinions on this. One is that your estradiol levels should be consistent with hormone levels during the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, or about 100-200 pg/mL for estradiol. However, clinical results, not hormone levels are what is important. If you are not getting good results, your drug regimen should change.

With kindness,

Terri

Those levels are transition levels, though for everyone, what level works for you might not for me. My trough level when I got mine measured was 114 pg/ml and my T was 7 ng/ml for reference which works for me quite well. But as others have said the general area for transition for trans women and estrogen is between 100 - 200. Some might need slightly more, but that's usually the general range.

My hunch, The T is too high; its blocking the action of the E.   Playing with Spiro for its side effects may be making your doctor nervous if he thinks it'll drop your blood pressure too low, or if it looks like your potassium could go too high.

Thanks for the replies.  As for the Spiro, I think I'm on a low dose it's hard to know since I can't post it here. It's funny that my very first lab work showed my T levels to be in the fifties and it shot up to the seventies when I started Spiro.

So far my potassium level and blood pressure are fine. It would be nice if it lower my blood pressure so I could eliminate another medication.

My doctor is awesome. She allowed me to reschedule for Thursday which on such short notice is unheard of in the VA system. Usually she has booked two to three months out.