I'm a bit frustrated at the moment, and not sure how to settle this question.
Obviously (and regretably for my question) because this is HRT, we can't really post much in regards to specifics for comparison purposes.
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I've been on HRT for 3 months now, and just had my 3 month check-up. 
When other MTFs that I know IRL ask me what my dosage is, their first reaction is always "Wow...that's a really low dosage."   When I go back later to press further and ask what theirs is, they're a bit coy and just say "trust your doctor."
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I asked a few more questions at my doctor appointment on Friday, and found that my doctor prescribes the same dosage to everyone.  A rather "one size fits all" approach.  So my current dosage will not deviate.  While I got a blood test to check my potassium levels, there don't appear to be any tests planned to test hormone levels.  (There were no tests before starting HRT, other than my regular cholesterol test.) While it's probably the cheapest way to do HRT (without an endo and expensive blood tests), I'm a bit concerned.  I would like HRT to have as much impact as possible, and I do start to worry that my dosage may not be adequate (especially when everyone I talk to seems so surprised at it).
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It's not a question of self-medicating.  It's a question of...should I look for a different doctor that provides a more individualized approach to get the most benefit out of HRT?  I've had some...developmental oddities...that are opposite of everything I've read.  And while my doctor was similarly puzzled, she seems unconcerned.  Still, it does worry me.

I'm a bit frustrated right now due to a lack of information.  I don't really have much to compare to, so it's difficult to make any sort of intelligent judgement.  It's possible that some of those I've spoken with are self-medicating, and perhaps my dosage is average (for a doctor's prescription)...with nothing to be concerned about.  And if that's the truth of it, it would be nice to know, if for no other reason than to calm my worries. 
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Anyway, if a couple of you who have been on HRT a while would be willing to PM me to discuss matters that can't be posted here, I would appreciate it.
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Thank you,
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Kay

My doctor never does blood tests to determine hormone levels ether.  He goes by how I feel they are affecting my development.  And so far so good, especially after the Orchie.

If I were you, I'd begin looking for another doctor right now.

Quote from: Ashley4214 on April 18, 2010, 02:39:56 PM
If I were you, I'd begin looking for another doctor right now.

ditto why is he having you take meds that he has no interest in if they are the correct levels
jessica

Ask any doctor, "What are your criteria if someone is getting a proper hormone dosage?"
They'll all say, "Um, I dunno, it varies."

Ask, "Well, what about serum blood values?"
They'll say, "Well, you can't really go by those."

Heh...you seem to already have this down Renate. 
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Honestly, half the responses I've received say one thing...and half say the opposite. 
If it's possible...I think I may be even more confused than when I started.   
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Though, I think possibly the issue may be progesterone vs. no progesterone (or low progesterone) regimens. 
From the documents I've seen, those medical resources that include progesterone recommend about half the amount of estrogen than those that don't include it.  *shrug*  That and 2 bits probably won't get me so much as a haircut though. 
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Still, I do like the idea of getting blood values.  It's something tangible that can be used as a guide...and appears better than just guessing. Whether it is or not?  Heh...no clue. 
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Yeah, I know,....I'm still

Quote from: Renate on April 20, 2010, 09:41:31 AM
Ask any doctor, "What are your criteria if someone is getting a proper hormone dosage?"
They'll all say, "Um, I dunno, it varies."

Ask, "Well, what about serum blood values?"
They'll say, "Well, you can't really go by those."

This is exactly why I think the whole "you must trust your doctor and be ignorant" attitude prevalent in a portion of the Transgender community is really stupid.

Doctors screw stuff up ALL the time, this forum doesn't even allow discussion of one form of HRT that I PERSONALLY KNOW being prescribed with under the false assertion that no doctor anywhere would prescribe it.