I started spiro (march09) 4 months before estrogen (july09), so is the start time marked more by the spiro or the estrogen? I always thought it would be estrogen as they have more effect but I did notice changes a couple of months into spiro :S
Confused~
S.x

i would say when spiro was started because it's as important in mtf hrt as estrogen

Personally, I mark it from the first estradiol dose. Sure the spiro causes some change, but you have to admit it's the estradiol that makes things interesting.

I was on E for like 3 months before T blocker, and I always think it didn't really start full force until both were working together. That's when I started to get the ma'am? confused looks the most lol.

When your testosterone levels were within the female range.  Whilst it's true that some peeps respond well to estrogen alone to make this happen, other persons need an anti-androgen blocker as an add-on to cause the same effect. 

Quote from: Jeannette on October 10, 2009, 11:57:34 AM
When your testosterone levels were within the female range.  Whilst it's true that some peeps respond well to estrogen alone to make this happen, other persons need an anti-androgen blocker as an add-on to cause the same effect.

Even well before HRT I never had a normal testo level and It was always very low. My problem isn't hormone levels which are always good, my main problem is trying to get the right fat distribution. If I put on weight the fat goes on my belly, if I loose weight I just become skinny with no fat distribution. Hormone levels do not indicate transitional progress, they only provide levels on a chart or blood test.

No matter what others think or say, you started the day that you decided that you were going to do something about it.  Not the day you took your first pill, nor the ady you even talked to a therapist or doctor.  It started the day you took action.


Janet

I've been concerned about the whole spiro liver thing, doctors saying you shouldn't be on it for more than 2-3 years without an op as it can do long term damage. That was the motivation for the question mostly. But then I thought the start of estrogen would be the official start of HRT. Now I'm leaning towards the start of spiro even though it's not 'replacing' (hRt) just blocking, still included as a treatment.
OH and yeah N.blonde the first post you mentioned it I did wonder if you were taking any anti-androgens as gaining weight on your belly only would suggest a higher androgen dominance in your body? So you can safely say you're hormone levels are within the female ranges?  Maybe your body isn't responding to certain brands/forms of meds.. maybe ask your doctor to try others?? have you tried others already???

Quote from: Shannon on October 09, 2009, 11:27:42 PM
I started spiro (march09) 4 months before estrogen (july09), so is the start time marked more by the spiro or the estrogen? I always thought it would be estrogen as they have more effect but I did notice changes a couple of months into spiro :S
Confused~
S.x

I started full time HRT in 1998 and anti- androgens in 2002. I have also taken HRT on and off since the mid 1980's. As my changes are very small I haven't noticed which is the most beneficial.