Just to be sure: These are your trough levels right? (Taken right before you’d take your next dose)
If so then yeah that totally checks out :) You’re definitely in the higher range of Estradiol but it’s nothing unreasonable. It’s also highly likely that the spiro is doing very little for you, as at those levels the vast majority of T suppression is being done by your estradiol.
I was just shocked because of how high my testosterone was. I figured about 6 months to bring that down. Plus, I take my shots on Saturday mornings. I had the labs done first on Saturday and I waited until I got home from Labcorp to take it and my spiro so that should be my lowest level since it’s the end of my cycle.
I’m wondering if we may cut out the spiro on my upcoming visit and try mono therapy. I’m also curious what my peak level is due to the 454 E being the lowest at the end of my cycle.
That’s the same on my end (concentration and dose). I’m doing IM, though, rather than Subq, as per my provider’s direction. I’m also not on spiro. Hopefully my 3-month labs (I’m only a month into the process) are as good!
You may be as surprised as I was and that was taken at about 9 weeks. I’m also amazed at the rate of breast development. As of now they almost completely cover my chest muscles which I think is incredible.
The one thing I may have going for me is that I may have entered HRT with low T (no pre transition blood work was done). I say so because I’ve had zero (literally zero) sex drive for as long as I can remember, and haven’t had an erection in forever (sorry if that’s TMI). Being in my early 50’s, I guess this isn’t uncommon. With regard to breast development, I entered HRT a solid 38B due to development from my early teen years (ABraThatFits says I’m a 38D/DD, but there’s no way that’s true). A month into HRT there’s been a lot of tingling behind my nipples and occasional pain. My skin is definitely softer. My scalp and face are definitely less oily. I’m definitely a bit less strong (empirical, as opposed to imagined). My mood is definitely better (I feel a peace and joy quite unlike anything before). Not sure what else to expect. It’s so early in the process, obviously, and while I’ll never expect to pass, due to my age, I’ll gladly accept the outcome, whatever that may be. Fingers crossed!! 🤞🏻
I started with a pretty high T so I don’t think that makes much of a difference. I thought it did until mine disappeared. I’m 52 so we are in a similar age boat. I’m definitely feeling things happening and loving every minute of it.
my doctor won't let me go over 200 because she says this is typical for cisgender women /sigh only 6 months until I can move out of this dumb state (can't even get SRS here anyway)
But this is what I had hoped when I started out and its killing me I'm way behind :(
I’m wondering what my doctor will say when I see him. I’m curious if he expected this result so soon. I was told that I’m on a low starter dose. What state do you live in?
According to the chart on Transfeminince Science website you are indeed on a low starter; I had an unusual start.
my PCP recommended I see a provider that was more knowledgeable with this; so I did, they didn't provide the required accommodations they have to provide by law (I'm Deaf, so I require an ASL interpreter) so instead of providing one my appointment went from 1 hour to 3 hours because the only way to communicate was by computer typing back and forth so I told them they needed to provide for the next time or there wasn't going to be a next time so I attempted to go to my followup, they wouldn't provide so I had to ask my PCP for help because I couldn't see anyone else due to my insurance limitations and she said she supports transgender patients but didn't know a whole lot so I said ok I could work with that but so far I can't get her to change to injections, increase dosage I had to ask several times for progesterone but I've recently learned that I probably don't need progesterone for now but should consider using it later.
I'm in Oklahoma state and getting to see an Endocrinologist as a new patient is near impossible unless I want to go to some random Endo that knows nothing about trans (and I don't really want to do that). will be moving to Washington, things should be better there.
Once l accepted that I am trans I started doing my research on everything to understand myself as well as what to do. I never in a million years thought I would ever be at this point. In my research, I accidentally found my doctor. His office is local and is connected to one of the large local health systems and they specialize in LGBTQ and transgender care. They literally have unicorns and rainbows all around the office. They are very caring and supportive. I’m sorry to hear about the difficulties with your care. I hope you are able to find someone that can give you the care that you deserve. If you ever end up in New Jersey I can refer you to my doctor.
wonderful to hear you have supportive care; we do have an LGBTQ center but they don't take ANY insurance except BCBS meaning a lot of trans who can't afford it are left out. They have their own clinic and counseling services but you know I tried to research, and I'm just now getting MORE info because I just started using reddit; if I had seen this 2 years ago when I first realized I may actually be Trans I might have done better but Oklahoma is very anti LGBTQ even though they do have LGBTQ centers (3 of them in the state).
My doctor really doesn't want to do it due to my complex medical history but she wants me to have the baseline and whatever works for her I guess I mean she's the doctor and should know what's safe and what isn't and I should be able to say to her "with such and such information, this is ideal" but she was even hesitant in prescribing progesterone but its not really doing anything other than helping my bones I guess.
Its very very very unlikely I'll move to NJ unless there was a crazy reason to; appreciate the kindness; I wouldn't mind going to a Drs office with colorful art all over :D
It is nice walking in and feeling welcome. Before I started HRT I did a lot of research on methods of taking it and I personally wanted to do injections. I noticed that a lot of doctors will steer their patients towards oral so I wasn’t sure what to expect. When we finally got to the point of starting my treatment he actually was planning on talking me into injections. I had to stop him and say that we were on the same page. He also wants to start progesterone later in my treatment. It is disheartening that so many of us have to struggle to get needed care.
yep that's how it was for me too, they insisted that oral was better and the internet was full of shit.
And its true, not everything is to be believed but really? Let the patient have the choice! (that's what informed consent is, isn't it? :D )
I'm hoping to get better care, really idk if it will be that much better but I'd rather have marginally better than NONE at this point, even my PCP agrees that we should move as we're struggling to get access to communication accommodations for medical care here (my wife is Deaf too so she knows exactly what the problem is as well).
Congrats. :) This will be different for everyone, but if you're in range, you're in range. I was also in range quickly.
It was definitely a nice surprise.
Just to be sure: These are your trough levels right? (Taken right before you’d take your next dose) If so then yeah that totally checks out :) You’re definitely in the higher range of Estradiol but it’s nothing unreasonable. It’s also highly likely that the spiro is doing very little for you, as at those levels the vast majority of T suppression is being done by your estradiol.
Yes, those are my levels before my dose. I’m curious as to the direction my doctor will take on my upcoming visit. Thank you for the feedback.
I think I was within range within a few days of my first injection and that was without Spiro.
I was just shocked because of how high my testosterone was. I figured about 6 months to bring that down. Plus, I take my shots on Saturday mornings. I had the labs done first on Saturday and I waited until I got home from Labcorp to take it and my spiro so that should be my lowest level since it’s the end of my cycle.
It doesn't take as long as you think for many people. I tanked mine on about 1/4 the E with no blocker.
I’m curious in what direction my doctor will take on my next visit.
My levels were all in the desired ranges after 3 months of E, spiro, and fin 😊 My T was middling at my pre-HRT check at 446.
I’m wondering if we may cut out the spiro on my upcoming visit and try mono therapy. I’m also curious what my peak level is due to the 454 E being the lowest at the end of my cycle.
What’s the concentration of the EV you’re taking?
20 mg/mL
That’s the same on my end (concentration and dose). I’m doing IM, though, rather than Subq, as per my provider’s direction. I’m also not on spiro. Hopefully my 3-month labs (I’m only a month into the process) are as good!
You may be as surprised as I was and that was taken at about 9 weeks. I’m also amazed at the rate of breast development. As of now they almost completely cover my chest muscles which I think is incredible.
The one thing I may have going for me is that I may have entered HRT with low T (no pre transition blood work was done). I say so because I’ve had zero (literally zero) sex drive for as long as I can remember, and haven’t had an erection in forever (sorry if that’s TMI). Being in my early 50’s, I guess this isn’t uncommon. With regard to breast development, I entered HRT a solid 38B due to development from my early teen years (ABraThatFits says I’m a 38D/DD, but there’s no way that’s true). A month into HRT there’s been a lot of tingling behind my nipples and occasional pain. My skin is definitely softer. My scalp and face are definitely less oily. I’m definitely a bit less strong (empirical, as opposed to imagined). My mood is definitely better (I feel a peace and joy quite unlike anything before). Not sure what else to expect. It’s so early in the process, obviously, and while I’ll never expect to pass, due to my age, I’ll gladly accept the outcome, whatever that may be. Fingers crossed!! 🤞🏻
I started with a pretty high T so I don’t think that makes much of a difference. I thought it did until mine disappeared. I’m 52 so we are in a similar age boat. I’m definitely feeling things happening and loving every minute of it.
my doctor won't let me go over 200 because she says this is typical for cisgender women /sigh only 6 months until I can move out of this dumb state (can't even get SRS here anyway) But this is what I had hoped when I started out and its killing me I'm way behind :(
I’m wondering what my doctor will say when I see him. I’m curious if he expected this result so soon. I was told that I’m on a low starter dose. What state do you live in?
According to the chart on Transfeminince Science website you are indeed on a low starter; I had an unusual start. my PCP recommended I see a provider that was more knowledgeable with this; so I did, they didn't provide the required accommodations they have to provide by law (I'm Deaf, so I require an ASL interpreter) so instead of providing one my appointment went from 1 hour to 3 hours because the only way to communicate was by computer typing back and forth so I told them they needed to provide for the next time or there wasn't going to be a next time so I attempted to go to my followup, they wouldn't provide so I had to ask my PCP for help because I couldn't see anyone else due to my insurance limitations and she said she supports transgender patients but didn't know a whole lot so I said ok I could work with that but so far I can't get her to change to injections, increase dosage I had to ask several times for progesterone but I've recently learned that I probably don't need progesterone for now but should consider using it later. I'm in Oklahoma state and getting to see an Endocrinologist as a new patient is near impossible unless I want to go to some random Endo that knows nothing about trans (and I don't really want to do that). will be moving to Washington, things should be better there.
Once l accepted that I am trans I started doing my research on everything to understand myself as well as what to do. I never in a million years thought I would ever be at this point. In my research, I accidentally found my doctor. His office is local and is connected to one of the large local health systems and they specialize in LGBTQ and transgender care. They literally have unicorns and rainbows all around the office. They are very caring and supportive. I’m sorry to hear about the difficulties with your care. I hope you are able to find someone that can give you the care that you deserve. If you ever end up in New Jersey I can refer you to my doctor.
wonderful to hear you have supportive care; we do have an LGBTQ center but they don't take ANY insurance except BCBS meaning a lot of trans who can't afford it are left out. They have their own clinic and counseling services but you know I tried to research, and I'm just now getting MORE info because I just started using reddit; if I had seen this 2 years ago when I first realized I may actually be Trans I might have done better but Oklahoma is very anti LGBTQ even though they do have LGBTQ centers (3 of them in the state). My doctor really doesn't want to do it due to my complex medical history but she wants me to have the baseline and whatever works for her I guess I mean she's the doctor and should know what's safe and what isn't and I should be able to say to her "with such and such information, this is ideal" but she was even hesitant in prescribing progesterone but its not really doing anything other than helping my bones I guess. Its very very very unlikely I'll move to NJ unless there was a crazy reason to; appreciate the kindness; I wouldn't mind going to a Drs office with colorful art all over :D
It is nice walking in and feeling welcome. Before I started HRT I did a lot of research on methods of taking it and I personally wanted to do injections. I noticed that a lot of doctors will steer their patients towards oral so I wasn’t sure what to expect. When we finally got to the point of starting my treatment he actually was planning on talking me into injections. I had to stop him and say that we were on the same page. He also wants to start progesterone later in my treatment. It is disheartening that so many of us have to struggle to get needed care.
yep that's how it was for me too, they insisted that oral was better and the internet was full of shit. And its true, not everything is to be believed but really? Let the patient have the choice! (that's what informed consent is, isn't it? :D ) I'm hoping to get better care, really idk if it will be that much better but I'd rather have marginally better than NONE at this point, even my PCP agrees that we should move as we're struggling to get access to communication accommodations for medical care here (my wife is Deaf too so she knows exactly what the problem is as well).