Hello all, hugs

I have been out of this for awhile dealing with the X-wife, moving, and my therapist. All is getting better now since I received my HRT letter on Sunday and on Monday I had my Physical with my Endocrinologist. I was told that my options were either by-weekly shots, a pill, or a slow-release tablet placed under my skin that lasts about 3 months.

The doc said the injection would give me the quickest result, with the only bad part having the lows and highs.

I am curious what sort of testimonies or experiences or advise anyone may have.

Thanks again!

- Breanne

I'm on the pill I kind of want to ask about shots, and hope that my medical covers that.

The pill is going all fine and dandy unless I don't eat that day...
then I am feeling pretty damn rough and sickly. I had a bit of abdominal cramps in the start.
But I am okay now, and they seem to be working fine.

I've thought about shots, but I too worry about the ups and downs and also I'm not really liking the idea of being poked with a sharp instrument that often.

I take estrodiol pills, but don't need a high dose because of having had low t beforehand. I stay pretty level in mood since I split my dose between morning and night.

Its only been two days since my first injection and my tits are sensitive like a motha.(when before they weren't growing much)

I was on pills for 6 months, I didn't like doing it that way at all though.
I felt like it was too temporary, or it wasn't working.
I always had a mini heart attack if i slept in and was an hour or two late for my morning pill.

So yeah.
I like the whole injection thing way better.
The shot doesn't hurt at all.

Hi Breanne Rose,

Here is one experience of the shot

Quote from: Annah on November 07, 2011, 08:42:22 AM
with my weekly estrogen shots i noticed some pros and cons

Pros: physical transformation was lightening fast. I do not think i would have had the same results with the pill but who knows?

Euphoria by mid week.

Cons: Since i am being injected with pure estrogen for a weeks worth in one shot on Monday I am pretty emotional on day one since i have more estrogen in me than 3 pregnant women lol.

Day two not as emotional but still there

Day three, four, five and six I am right as rain

Day seven I am cranky as the estrogen has tapered and I'm ready for the next shot.

I myself have been on the patch, which appears relative effective. I don't know anyone on the pill, as it isn't a favourite over here. Seems to over work the liver a bit, and hence is not as effective as other means.

Hope this helps.

Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

the pill isn't that bad on your liver if you take it sublingually

Quote from: EmilyElizabeth on February 09, 2012, 04:38:07 PM
the pill isn't that bad on your liver if you take it sublingually

True. I've been taking it sublingualy and my liver tests are all normal and stable each blood test I get.

I'm on transdermal 2X a day creme and I feel this is a good way to go. No liver pass issues and honestly I don't like needles so not going that route!

Quote from: EmilyElizabeth on February 09, 2012, 04:38:07 PM
the pill isn't that bad on your liver if you take it sublingually

It isn't that bad on your liver if you just swallow it.

This whole liver thing is a myth, yes it's not outright impossible for estrogen to contribute to poorer liver function.

But I personally haven't heard of anyone who took oral estrogen at anything approaching a sane dosage that had impaired liver function where they didn't have a liver problem already for other reasons.

There's a LOT of medications that are contraindicated as potentially elevating certain liver enzymes. Cyproterone Acetate is one prescribed for transgender purposes that is indicated for hepatic toxicity.

But estrogen is not, spironolactone is not. That's not to say you shouldn't keep an eye on your liver and that you shouldn't proceed with caution if you're already at a high risk group.

But this outright paranoia that you take estrogen and need a liver transplant a few years later is just ridiculous.

Quote from: Asfsd4214 on February 09, 2012, 11:42:34 PM
It isn't that bad on your liver if you just swallow it.

This whole liver thing is a myth, yes it's not outright impossible for estrogen to contribute to poorer liver function.

But I personally haven't heard of anyone who took oral estrogen at anything approaching a sane dosage that had impaired liver function where they didn't have a liver problem already for other reasons.

There's a LOT of medications that are contraindicated as potentially elevating certain liver enzymes. Cyproterone Acetate is one prescribed for transgender purposes that is indicated for hepatic toxicity.

But estrogen is not, spironolactone is not. That's not to say you shouldn't keep an eye on your liver and that you shouldn't proceed with caution if you're already at a high risk group.

But this outright paranoia that you take estrogen and need a liver transplant a few years later is just ridiculous.

I kind of agree with this too. I would go on to say that I think if you just swallow it, you're  probably preventing some of the estrogen from getting into your blood, as it will be broken down by the liver before reaching the blood.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on February 09, 2012, 11:56:23 PM
I kind of agree with this too. I would go on to say that I think if you just swallow it, you're  probably preventing some of the estrogen from getting into your blood, as it will be broken down by the liver before reaching the blood.

And let me add, ~ 90% of oral E2 is 'dumped' by stomach acid and liver first-pass i.e. before any gets into the blood stream.

The very highest spec. E patch gives 100mcg, 0.1mg/day! –only-. Now compare that with the highest post-menopause E2 pill. No need to mention, we all know.

I think both compare in actual strength, that explains how much is 'dumped' with oral.
I hope the patch spec I mentioned is not dumped by the 'local authority' - lest that sentence make little sense.
We'll wait and see.

Axélle

... which may explain why my E-levels are thru the roof and my testosterone is on the low side of normal for female range. I take sublingually and do not lift my tongue from the bottom of my mouth for 10 minutes.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on February 10, 2012, 12:34:31 AM
... which may explain why my E-levels are thru the roof and my testosterone is on the low side of normal for female range. I take sublingually and do not lift my tongue from the bottom of my mouth for 10 minutes.

It seems also save to say... that patches have less T suppressing effect then does oral.
This by NO MEANS is just a tg issue, as ggs on ERT/HRT are also having issues with to low Free-T.
If Tot-T is low-ish and SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) is on the high-ish end, there be hardly any Free-T available for one's libido.
This is the way it often seem to go... with oral.
Too little Free-T , never mind Tot-T, effects libido and of course energy levels - needed to enjoy one's libido - never mind going for a nice long walk, hum.

Axélle

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on February 09, 2012, 11:56:23 PM
I kind of agree with this too. I would go on to say that I think if you just swallow it, you're  probably preventing some of the estrogen from getting into your blood, as it will be broken down by the liver before reaching the blood.

From what I've read, the estrogen I am taking, estriol,  is 10X more effective transdermal vs oral.

Stephe,

Quote
Estriol is a metabolic waste product of estradiol metabolism that can still have some effects in a limited number of estrogen receptors. It is formed in the liver and is 8% as potent as estradiol and 14% as potent as estrone. Once estriol is bound to an estrogen receptor, it blocks the stronger estradiol from acting there. Thus it is considered to have both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic actions. There is also some evidence that, because it is so weak and blocks the stronger forms, estriol can be considered to have "anti-cancer" action. To take it in quantities adequate to have effects comparable to estradiol (that is, to occupy as many receptors as a needs-meeting level of estradiol), however, the risk rises to the same level with estriol as with estradiol. A particular breakdown product of estriol, 16-hydroxyestrone, is elevated in women receiving oral estriol and is associated with an increased risk of breast and cervical cancers. Estriol has also been implicated as a source of interference in lab tests for estradiol, leading to "clinically significant" testing errors. It is believed to have special efficacy for genitourinary tissues and skin generally, but that is poorly studied and results of existing research are not conclusive.

Read more: http://surmeno.blogspot.com/2006/07/three-estrogens-estradiol-estrone.html#ixzz1m2lxB4z8

In fact this seems to confirm what I was going to say, that estradiol patches then must be ~ 100 - 200x stronger then oral estradiol ... see my earlier post for comparisons.

The cost though be pretty much the same as i.e. 28 days EstroFem costs the same as 28 days Estraderm of ~ same potency.

Axélle

I don't know if you followed any of my other posts, I have severe allergic reactions to estradiol. I'm happy for you that you can take estradiol, I don't have that luxury. I'm not an idiot, I've done a pile of research, tried about a dozen different forms of estradiol and feel lucky I found -some form- of estrogen I can finally tolerate. Please don't lecture me on these meds..

The only point of my post was saying for THE MEDS I TAKE, transdermal is said to be 10X as effective. I highly doubt transdermal meds of the same type are 100-200X stronger but then again I'm not a doctor.

Quote from: Axélle-Michélle on February 10, 2012, 10:30:40 PM
Stephe,

Read more: http://surmeno.blogspot.com/2006/07/three-estrogens-estradiol-estrone.html#ixzz1m2lxB4z8

In fact this seems to confirm what I was going to say, that estradiol patches then must be ~ 100 - 200x stronger then oral estradiol ... see my earlier post for comparisons.

The cost though be pretty much the same as i.e. 28 days EstroFem costs the same as 28 days Estraderm of ~ same potency.

Axélle

Quote from: Stephe on February 10, 2012, 10:51:30 PM
I don't know if you followed any of my other posts, I have severe allergic reactions to estradiol. I'm happy for you that you can take estradiol, I don't have that luxury. I'm not an idiot, I've done a pile of research, tried about a dozen different forms of estradiol and feel lucky I found -some form- of estrogen I can finally tolerate. Please don't lecture me on these meds..

The only point of my post was saying for THE MEDS I TAKE, transdermal is said to be 10X as effective. I highly doubt transdermal meds of the same type are 100-200X stronger but then again I'm not a doctor.

Oh no dear!
If you feel lectured that was not my intention at all. In deed I added the link for yet further clarifications so it surely would support your specific issue. Did you read it at all?

I think it would add perspective - not lecturing... sorry if it came across that way.

Why 100 - 200x?
If estriol is 10x stronger then oral, and estradiol is ~ 10x stronger then estriol -> 10x10 = 100 assuming the oral is 1mg. If 2mg it be 200x or?

Sorry, just girlie maths... I also think this can't be, but so it would seem to be, um.

Axélle

Hi, I've been taking etrofem at 4 mg a day for 16 months. My hips went from 40" to 46" and my thighs went from 25"to 291/2". I gained 1" on my breasts. All my body hair fell off and turned to fine blond except for one small patch of hair on my chest. It is shrinking though! I take the pills sub lingual till its completely gone. Oh and my skin got really smooth too. I think its time to up the dosage!

Cool, but edit the dosage info.

  I take the estrodiol and provera pills sublingually.  The Spiro down the hatch.  The only problem was the changing of the dosage of the spiro by my provider to a quarter to what it was.  My T levels went from 57 to 147 when that happened with increased beard coarseness.  The spiro is back to half to what it was and things seem to stabilize here.  Your results may vary from what you read from others here on this thread. 
  Joelene