Hello everyone!:)

First of all, please excuse my English. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist on Wednesday and we discussed my blood work results. I have been on hormones for 2 months and 2 weeks and my E levels were 297.8 pmol/l (81 pg/mL). I wanted to ask if these levels are normal for someone who has been on hormones for 2 months and two weeks?  Thank you so so much for those who will answer! <3

Victoria

Welcome to Susan's Place. Normally the transition targets the range of 100-200 pg/ml however estradiol doesn't last long in the body. If you were 24 hour between your last dose and your blood test, your levels for much of that time would be a good deal higher depending on exactly how your pills were taken. My estradiol levels tend to run at about 50 pg/ml and I am seeing development even though that would be considered a menopause level. Hormones take months to produce results and some people take longer than others. Normally you would see noticeable development after about 6 months to a year. I am including a table you might find interesting.

ESTRADIOL LEVELS
SEX                     pg/ml
Women (> 18 years old)   
      Follicular Phase  30-120
      Ovulatory Peak   130-370
      Luteal Phase      70-250
      Post-Menopausal   15-60
Male                    15-60

TOTAL TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
SEX      ng/dl        ng/ml
Females  6 - 86     0.1 - 1.2
Males  270 - 1100   2.4 - 12
Conversion factor: 1 ng/ml = 3.47 nmol/l

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

After 60 days my E levels were slightly lower than yours when I tested 4 hours after my last dose.  Now they are above 100 pg/ml if I test 12 hours after my last dose and close to 200 if I test 6 hours after my last dose.  I'm dosing twice a day so the level is staying between 100 to 200 all the time.  So your E levels will probably continue to rise given time.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

E levels rise and fall within 24 hours so they really don't mean much. What is more important is how you feel, breast growth, body hair, fat distribution, facial changes, etc. I noticed my breasts growing within a couple of months of starting HRT and lots of pain. Increased fat in the thighs and buttocks within 2-4 months, body hair growing slower within days. You should see at least some change at 2 months, IMHO.

Thanks girls! You calmed me down about my E levels. The blood test was made after 12 hours of my last dose.

Another question I have is about my T levels. I'm currently taking Biculatamide as anti-androgen. I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my body hair BUT I experience no changes in my face whatsoever. Also, I have only little to no pain in my breasts. My T levels are extremely high (30.88 nmol/l and my doctor said genetic male T levels range from 8.64 - 29.0 nmol/l). I'm so confused and depressed about my T levels. I have read that Biculatamide increases your T levels drastically but it runs free in your blood and is not used by your body but I'm still not happy about having hight T levels knowing that I see no face changes or development in breasts. I'm thinking about switching to Spiro. What do you suggest?

I am using spiro and it dropped my T from a pretty high level to where it is now undetectable.  Some people have reported bad side effects with spiro but I have felt good on it.  It did take a while to adjust but I'm not suffering any ill effects at all.  You just need to experiment with salt and water intake to find a level that keeps you feeling good.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Quote from: Moon_18 on April 01, 2017, 03:59:46 AM
Another question I have is about my T levels. I'm currently taking Biculatamide as anti-androgen. I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my body hair BUT I experience no changes in my face whatsoever. Also, I have only little to no pain in my breasts. My T levels are extremely high (30.88 nmol/l and my doctor said genetic male T levels range from 8.64 - 29.0 nmol/l). I'm so confused and depressed about my T levels. I have read that Biculatamide increases your T levels drastically but it runs free in your blood and is not used by your body but I'm still not happy about having hight T levels knowing that I see no face changes or development in breasts. I'm thinking about switching to Spiro. What do you suggest?

Bicalutamide ONLY blocks T so there is no sense in measuring levels. I suspect the reason you aren't seeing much change is too little E. Please discuss this with your doctor.

If Bicalutamide only blocks T receptors and not its production then does Spiro stop production of T? Because other girls are taking Spiro and their T levels drop.

Spiro stops the production of T.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Thank you, Deborah! I made up my mind, I'm goint to ask my doctor to put me on Spiro.

Spiro doesn't stop production but reduces it. Additionally, it blocks T.

But if Spiro doesn't stop the production of T then why T levels in girls who take Spiro drop and it doesn't drop in girls who  take Biculatamide?

It reduced my blood concentration of T from 826 ng/dl to less than 3 ng/dl.   Perhaps that is technically not completely stopped but it is effectively stopped.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Deborah, may I ask how much time it took for your T levels to drop to current levels?

It took a while.  The T stubbornly resisted until we raised the dose pretty high.

Initially 826 ng/dl
60 days 158 ng/dl
8 months 120 ng/dl
Doubled spiro dose
14 months 19 ng/dl
20 months <3 ng/dl
It's remained there since.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote