I want to start sublingual application of my estrogen component of hrt.  I recently read this in a document.

"most people find dissolving oral estradiol pills under their tongues (or between the cheek and gum) preferable alternatives when a higher actively "feminizing" dose is desired"

Does anyone have experience with this technique?

When I was on estradiol pills, I used to take them sublingually. Supposedly this results in better absorption of the estradiol. This only works with micronized  17 beta estadiol. I have no idea if this works better or not. But don't think it hurts.

This is the method I use.  I've been getting great results so far, but there is no way of knowing if it's the sublingual delivery or just genetics.

I do this when I have the time (that is, I don't have to talk or eat or whatever for the next 10 minutes or so).  Otherwise, I'll just swallow it.  Supposedly, it's easier on the liver since you're going straight into the bloodstream on the first go-round, but is it that much better?  Who knows... not me, in any case.

Lia

tried it once or twice... took too long and i havent really  been upset with how it works normally..

thanks everyone.  I've come across a variety of possible indications.  Besides the liver bypass, which suits me fine - one said sublingual delivers a higher dose (which I am going to discuss with my doctor), and another was arguing that the location where you apply the estrogen matters - so that by applying it closer to the upper half of your body, the effects would be more concentrated there.  So if that's true, there's a chance of better facial skin, feminization effects and it's closer to the breasts and more effective than the diluted, even distribution after the the liver process.  I am stoked to try it - I'm only on month four and have really seen fx of HRT, so I think I'm predisposed genetically.   I think I'm going to crush the tablets and just put the powder under my tongue.  I hope it doesn't taste awful, but I really don't care, if it works.  Look what we go through with everything else!!

There's also gels that you can apply topically. (I'm sure they're expensive)

I do mine under the tongue, as a bypass for the liver.  Never heard of the higher dosage theory though.  I am 10 Months and still could use better results.  But I am on Proscar now, in addition to Spiro.  We shall see what happens over the next three months.  The info pack says it takes that long for results to be seen.

Janet

id suggest not brielle... consult your doctor... these pills are designed to be swallowed, and any dosage therein is regulated for that consumption, sublinquial application may increase dosage, but it may be dangerously higher.... higher than your doctor intends, or thinks safe. (yes, extrogen overdose can be bad). You're 4 months in, i know its a slow process... and you're impaitent, but give it some time hon... 4 months is barely starting, so just let it work on you... give it atleast another 8 months before you start messing with things.

Or talk to your doctor about it and see what they think.  That's what I did.  They both said it would be fine.

@Starbuck - thanks for showing you care: I wouldn't do it without doctor's permission, and yes I am as impatient as the 'imatient cow' in the knock-knock joke.

@Janet - Nice new pic:)
I just went on progesterone a week ago (I read today some feedback that it can make the breasts fuller rounder - who knows - it's all very individual)

@Ashley - thx again. I didn't know if anyone was even doing this, so it's good to hear back.

B.

I've been taking my oestrogen sublingually from the start, and you get used to it very quickly. I take my hrt directly after food so I don't have to worry about the eating thing, and I can talk easily with it, though it does dissolve much quicker. Mostly though I just tend to forget it's there, and sometimes I notice it's still there two, three hours later, slowly dissolving away.

And yeah, it does give a higher dosage - when you take it orally, I read somewhere that about 70% of the estrogen gets metabolised by the liver. Under the tongue you get about 90% efficacy. I'll see if I can find the reference. As long as you watch your blood levels carefully, it should be fine though.

Mina.

I put mine in right before going to bed. When I wake up the next morning it's usually completely gone.  Sometimes there is a little left over.

I took mine sublingual when I was on orals, and they were micronized 17b-E

My doc suggested that I don't eat or drink anything for at least 15 minutes before putting
the pill under my tongue cuz it effects absorption and he also said that if I am tasting it
then I am swallowing it and that i need to keep my tongue still. So I did my best, and have
tasted it many times, 'mine tasted sorta sweet IMO'. I took them for 9 months that way and
just got tired of them so I asked my doc is there something else I can do
(already knowing there was).

That nice man, he said he thought injections would be safer for me being at my age, and
that they could be more effective.....he was right!

Self injecting is interesting to say the least. It has certainly tested my "how far will you go" limits.
My blood tests show that the inj. puts my E levels quite a bit higher than the pills ever did
so I wouldn't worry about the dosage being too high, as long as you take the prescribed amount.

I think we really need to remember the 'no dosages' and hrt rules guys... we are straying dangerously close.

@ Mina
Thanks for mentioning 'get used to it very quickly' because I did try it at the beginning only once and was discouraged, but I am really determined now to get used to it because of the benefits to liver and efficacy - why have all the extra when you don't need it. 

@Ashley315
Great idea!  I'm going to def try that.  thx.

@Nichole_M
Good to know about the 'tasting it' reference. thx


**Thanks for the reminder Rachael.   

Quote from: Nicole_M on February 22, 2009, 03:51:41 AMMy doc suggested that I don't eat or drink anything for at least 15 minutes before putting the pill under my tongue cuz it effects absorption and he also said that if I am tasting it then I am swallowing it and that i need to keep my tongue still.

Aw brilliant. Thanks Nicole. I didn't know the bit about the absorption.

Mina.