Hi all -

It has been a while since i posted here. Lots has happened and I needed some time to figure it out!  I am now seeing a therapist (YAY) - finally!  I also have scheduled an appointment with an endocrinologist (one recommended by a good tgirl friend) and I have about 7 weeks until my endo appointment.  I am (SORRY- DON'T YELL) using bio-identical creams and have been having some pretty good breast growth. 

BUT I want to start HRT as soon as possible and wondered if anyone know hows long I have to be off the bio-identical hormones prior to seeing the endocrinologist to be able to get a baseline level so I can start HRT as soon as possible? 

I know its a mouthful! thanks if you can help! 


Love and Hugs,

Marcie

The estradiol levels will probably be baseline within 48 to 72 hours.  The testosterone levels may take longer, weeks, depending on how much testosterone production has been suppressed by what you've been doing.


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

Quote from: Deborah on July 31, 2017, 01:13:54 PM
The estradiol levels will probably be baseline within 48 to 72 hours.  The testosterone levels may take longer, weeks, depending on how much testosterone production has been suppressed by what you've been doing.


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

Thank You - I had Testosterone levels tested within the year - would that suffice?  Maybe I should call the practice ahead of my appointment and ask?

Hi, I hope otherwise for you in a big way, but my experience in a similar going from non mainstream to mainstream E therapy has been frustrating.  Read my "hormone hell" post to get a clue.  The clinic wanted 5 weeks abstinence, the endo at VA wanted 9 weeks.  The biggest problem with me was slightly high prolactin which I informed them was likely from the hormones I had been taking.  Meant nothing to them.  In spite of presenting several research papers they said they weren't familiar with stuff I was using and therefore couldn't consider any of the info I gave them.  They essentially want me to go back to cis male and start from scratch.  Be aware that even something such as breast massage can raise prolactin levels just enough to make the mainstream boys suspect all kinds of boogie men.  Again, hope your journey encounters more enlightened responses, but be prepared and enhance your calm. Toni

My endo never even took a pre HRT blood sample. I to.d him I had been using dietary products, flaxseed, saw palmetto, spearmint, peppermint. He wasn't worried about it. I told him I had low T for several years. He asked me how I knew. I explained I never had a real strong sex drive but after having a vesectomy about 8 years ago it went to near zero. Otherwise he asked if I was healthy. We talked about how often I see my regular doctor for blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I guess since I see a doctor regularly he didn't have any concerns about starting. I had three months wait before my therapist wrote my referral letter, so he knew I was serious.

He started on a low dose E, finasteride, and spiro. Three months later I went back and he asked me how I was doing with it. I told him I was ready to transition. He upped my E dose to 4x the starting one and added medroxyprogesterone. It's been almost another three months so I just had to call in and get him to refill my Scripts. I did get a blood test this time. I got him to switch me to bioidenticle progesterone instead of medroxyprogesterone. Will start that soon.