I've been on HRT (spiro and oral E) for about 16 months now, but it hasn't had as much of an effect as I'd expected.

I don't notice any fat redistribution, in particular my calves look very male, and my breasts are at best a 50AA.  (that is, I don't fill a 50A bra.)

Do I just need to wait a few more years for me to fill out?  Or should I be pushing my doctor into looking into different medications?

I'm 63 years old, I don't know if that plays a role.

Yes, age does play a factor. The older you are, the less the effects will be.
But you also might want to explore higher dosages or different delivery mechanisms, ie shots vs pills.

 hi
   I'm 64 and been on low dose estradiol and spironolactone for almost 3 months. I have redistribution fat on my chest and smaller firm growth around the nipple area. So far I am plaesed with the progress I am making. I will be speaking with my doctor and requesting an increase in a couple months once I have the next levels taken.
   I think doing the same in your case would be in order. Discussing options is never a bad thing.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

If you have your testosterone, total estrogen and estradiol levels, we can take a look at it and see what's going on. I am dealing with a person who wants to dose me low because of DVT risks of which I am very unlikely to develop because of my health and history. Your doctor may be controlling your dosage or your body may not be absorbing what you are using. For some people, patches/gel don't work well and they need to use something else.

Development can take years but with your levels, we should be able to determine if you are on track or not.

I can certainly empathize with you. I'm a late transitioner, too, but have only been on HT for just over three months. All I've got to show for it is diminished libido and ability to maintain an erection. Recent blood tests indicate levels in the expected range. I had moobs before I started, and at least they haven't diminished, too.

Your experience doesn't give me any optimism.

All the best,
--AshleyP

I do recall the first talk I had with my endo. She is a well known figure in Adelaide and Australian transgender health, and in WPATH. She is vastly experienced and is now approaching her late seventies and still going strong. She is also TG.

Her comment was, "now my dear you may get boobs or you my not. If they are not too your satisfaction do what lots of women do; get a BA"

I'm still thinking of it. Lose a larynx gain boobs?

Quote from: Dena on March 01, 2017, 03:30:28 PMI am dealing with a person who wants to dose me low because of DVT risks of which I am very unlikely to develop because of my health and history.

It's unfortunate if a higher dose proved more effective but based on your feedback, it would seem you are doing well on your current dose.

Have you showed the studies which show that, even in men of an advanced aged treated for prostate cancer, a high dose of estradiol patches with levels between 300-600 pg/ml did not result in thromboembolic complications and that researchers even concluded that this treatment may even be protective? What about the study where transsexual women of whom 13 out of 162 had a predisposition to DVT (activated protein C resistance or protein C deficiency) did not develop any complications despite being on a dose of transdermal estradiol higher than what is typically prescribed to post-menopausal women? Is your doctor aware of the very low incidence of DVT during pregnancy despite the very high levels of estradiol or during oral administration of bio-identical E2 in transsexual and ciswomen despite higher than typical doses for post-menopausal, sometimes MUCH HIGHER?

I believe it is important (and I know I'm repeating myself) to educate our doctors in the interest of our population and the generations to come.

Quotewith your levels, we should be able to determine if you are on track or not.

We have no way of knowing what levels are optimal for a given person as everyone is different and their sensitivities vary. Levels also fluctuate in time so tests are not necessarily accurate. Only the individual and their doctor can determine if they are on track or not by gauging how the body is responding (breast growth, hair patterns, fat distribution, testicle size, body odor, skin texture, etc).