Didn't there used to be a thread for posting up hormone levels?

I had my annual bloods yesterday. My E is a smidgeon below target range (400-600 pmol/L) for some reason. It might conversely be because my daily micro dose of testosterone (a petit pois size) was reduced and my body aromatises T into E. So the more testosterone I take, the higher my estradiol. Anyway:

Estradiol 394 pmol/L
Testosterone < 0.42 nmol/L

Serum sex hormone binding 47.4 nmol/L
Serum prolactin 136 mu/L

xx

My pre-transition was T=589, E=29. (2019)

Oral E plus Spiro and Finasteride T=17-25, E=31-80

Stopped Finasteride, switched to E Patches T=18-41, E=108-153

Increased patch E dose, stopped Spiro, added Eligard injections plus Casodex and progesterone tabs
T=21-40, E=22-78

Switched to E injections, dropped Casodex, increased progesterone to 3x/day T=21, E=244-251

My pre-transition was T=196, E=89 in 2022 last check T 124 E304

Quote from: Tills on October 18, 2024, 03:14:41 AMDidn't there used to be a thread for posting up hormone levels?
xx

Yes there was, it was run by our late friend PamelatransUK https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,244695.msg2227406.html#msg2227406

Blood levels are fraught with potential inaccuracies. They are greatly influenced by the time of the draw (Trough, peak, or mid) interactions with other medications and supplements, and how well your receptors are functioning. They measure available hormones in your blood, but that has little meaning as you may not be up taking these if your receptors are not at their peak. Oral Estradiol creates another hormone, Estrone, which can out compete Estradiol for receptors, but Estrone has very little feminising effect., so its net effect is to block receptors. Ideally, we would measure the hormones the other side of the receptors to assess their effects, but this isn't possible, so blood levels are used, but they are not very indicative.

Hugs

Allie

results can be so misleading, I tend to go off actual results that i can see

I had my levels done in February 2025.
Pre transistion was,
Estradiol 27
Testoterone 470
Serum sex hormone binding 48.70
I think this is a good place to document this.

I was prescribed .1mg/day twice weekly estradiol. My next test is 1 May 2025. I will get reavaluated on 25 May. We'll see we I go from there, Annaliese

Latest blood results are in. Had a total health check so zillions of tests and all are great, so I'm relieved about that. On the hormone front:

Estradiol 574 pmol/L (156 pg/ml)
Testosterone undetectable

Serum LH 1.6 iu/L
Serum sex hormone binding globulin level (44CD.) 38.3 nmol/L
Serum albumin level (XE2eA) 42 g/L
Serum TSH level (XaELV) 1.84 miu/L

Really pleased with the estradiol level

@Tills
Dear Tills:
Thank you for sharing your excellent news regarding your recent blood test.

  GOOD NEWS indeed !!!

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Quote from: Annaliese on April 04, 2025, 03:24:51 PMI had my levels done in February 2025.
Pre transistion was,
Estradiol 27
Testoterone 470

I had my levels tested on the 1st of May. I'm not sure if the progress is considered good, but at least the results show that the patches are showing progress. After two monthe there was an increase in Estrodiol to 63.1 from 27 and a decrease in testosterone from 470 to 290. I have an appointment on the 23 with my provider to fiscuss these results. I'm wondering if I should discuss adjustments. Any thoughts.

~ Lilis 💗

Quote from: Annaliese on May 04, 2025, 08:40:14 AMI had my levels tested on the 1st of May. I'm not sure if the progress is considered good, but at least the results show that the patches are showing progress. After two months there was an increase in Estradiol to 63.1 from 27 and a decrease in testosterone from 470 to 290. I have an appointment on the 23 with my provider to discuss these results. I'm wondering if I should discuss adjustments. Any thoughts.

While there are guidelines, there is no 'magic number' that everyone should strive for. It really depends on how you feel. It's another YMMV (your mileage may vary) topic. My estradiol level was in the 50's and 60's for the first year or two, adding spironolactone helped depress my testosterone levels quite a bit. The lower my testosterone levels, the happier I felt. Eventually, my estradiol levels rose to around 150. After bottom surgery, my testosterone levels were nearly undetectable.

If you are happier with lower testosterone, then consider adding something to push the numbers lower. Eventually you will find a good balance. Check with your doctor before adjusting medication levels.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Quote from: Lilis on May 28, 2025, 01:19:50 AM

Before GAHT

~ Lilis 💓

There are different units of hormone measure used by different countries and different labs. When comparing others levels, it is important to quote which units you are using. In the US, Estradiol is usually expressed as pg/ml and Testosterone as ng/dl, but in Europe and Australia, pmol/l and nmol/l respectively. A reading for Estradiol at 200 pg/ml converts to 734.27 pmol/l. There are a number of calculators online.

My blood levels are all over the place, seemingly affected by other medications I am on. In the past couple of years my Estradiol has ranged from 134 pmol/l (34 pg/ml) to over 3000 pmol/l (817 pg/ml) with little changes in my doses. When my levels tank, I get stress headaches, and we discovered the level wasn't the key figure, but the rate of drop of the level.

Low testosterone levels may seem desirable for MTF on HRT, but very low levels have been associated with lack of energy, reduced mental acuity, and reduced libido. If you have any of these symptoms, doctors may recommend a testosterone supplement. Again, how you feel is the best indicator of adequate or effective hormone levels.

Hugs,

Allie