So at my last check in at the clinic the usual blood tests were done. I'm just past 6 months on Estradiol and Spiro. The initial dosages have been doing their magic and I'm pretty satisfied. The blood tests show my E being a tad low (71 pg/mL) and my T being slightly high (79 ng/dL). The doctor I see had the nurse contact me to see if I was happy at those levels or whether I'd like to bump up the dosages. I'm mulling it over and was wondering what everyone else has done in this situation. I'm ok going to the next higher dose of Estradiol but I'd really prefer to leave the Spiro where it is (because of the usual reasons: peeing all the time). The T has gone down since my previous visit at 3 months so it's trending in the right direction. My question is whether an increase in Estradiol will synergistically help bring the T further down without going up on the Spiro.

If you are currently satisfied and the current doses are 'doing their magic', why change anything? If it ain't broke...right?

When the time comes and changes stop occurring or slow down significantly, maybe then would be a good time to bump up doses. At least, that's how I see it.

I would stay at this dose for a while

Quote from: laurenb on July 15, 2017, 06:36:52 AM
My question is whether an increase in Estradiol will synergistically help bring the T further down without going up on the Spiro.

While I'm not a doctor and don't have any experience with this precisely, I think bumping the estradiol would decrease your testosterone levels. At least for me, bumping the levels of spiro really didn't affect T levels that much. Starting estradiol really did.

All the best,
--AshleyP

Good point Kay and food for thought. I guess I'm fixated on the blood test results being closer to or in the "normal range" which they aren't right now. But yes, I am pretty satisfied with the changes so far. Could they be better though? So hard to tell as the internal changes are subjective.

Quote from: laurenb on July 16, 2017, 05:37:42 AMI guess I'm fixated on the blood test results being closer to or in the "normal range" which they aren't right now.

Yes, I think, as many of us are sometimes too fixated on numbers on a sheet of paper, doctors included. But do realize that every individual is unique and responds differently so focus instead on how you feel, how your body is responding and feminizing, etc. If things are going well for NOW, don't screw it up AND don't be greedy LOL as many of us are and that can backfire sometimes. Patience...

Rely also on strangers' feedback as to whether you're passing, etc. Your own perception is biased.