A few question.

[J_Perra]

So I did my 3 month appointment, and it went really well.  They modified my doses and added progesterone.  My questions though is:

 

1. So should I be on a vitamin regime to help with the HRT? If so any recommendations?

 

2. One minute it seems like breast development is going great, and the next day it seems to all be gone. Is this normal?

[Jani]

Great!  As to a vitamin, ask your doctor.   Mine did not recommend anything other than a good diet.  Breast development may take some time to come in.  Don't worry.   When it does, you'll know as it will hurt unmercifully when you bump into things with your chest.  Also remember that while the estrogen provides the juice, your genetics provides the map.  So how much you will grow is not something you can control at this point.  

 

Cheers, Jani 

[J_Perra]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not hurried or worried. Just looking to stay healthy and better the odds. They already hurt, nothing unbearable though. My 3 yo daughter reminds me of it every day as she buries her elbows right on my nipples on a regular basis.  I am thankful for the journey though.  The biggest problem I seem to have is lack of a local friend who has or is going through this.  Someone I can share or confide in. My ex GF was supposed to be my support, but she is proving to be unreliable so have been looking for a "Mentor" to help guide me.  Things like makeup and places to go and hangout.  Seems to be a complete lack of that in my area with out significant travel. ?

[J_Perra]

Progress at 3 months.

[Lexi C]

Hey J. I just finish my 4th month or HRT,  My breast grow pretty fast( solid A) doc said I am properly looking at a B...Jani is right they will hurt like a hell. I start wearing padded bra's not to make my breasts look big, but to lessen the pain. As for mentor or friends. Transgender pulse is a great place and You Tube is where I go for make up tips. There soon really great site that help with application, finding your right color, etc.  Be Proud and Stay Strong. Alex

[VickySGV]

The Standards of Care #7 from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has a table in it that lists the average times for HRT to work.  The onset of change is from 3 months to 6 months and completion goes from 3 years to 6 years, which is a pretty decent time span for things to happen.  There is really nothing that will hurry your progress along either.  Please for your health's sake do not look for herbal vitamins that talk about helping your development, some people get tempted to take too much of them and end up in serious medical condition. It is against our rule here to talk about them other than the caution I just said.  I have been on HRT for 9 years and 9 months and I am happy with what did come to me.

[J_Perra]

Ok, apparently I worded my post wrong. So to correct it!

I am not trying to hurry anything. I am more than happy with my progress. As you can tell from the pic, they are visually defined under a shirt with no bra. The point of asking about vitamins, which I forgot to discuss with Dr, was in case HRT used certain vitamins in excess like some drugs do. As in " it binds to vit C" causing deficiencies. 

I am just trying to stay healthy while giving hormones the best chance to work in all regards. I AM NOT TRYING TO BACKDOOR my progress.  Thank you for understanding. 

[Kirsten]

I use a basic prenatal daily vitamin. My docs all say that’s fine and it’s extra good for your hair skin and nails. And if you get the right ones, I think they taste like white chocolate. Lol. Biotin is also a good supplement. And a healthy diet. Watch your macros (fats, carbs, protein) and have plenty of greens for fiber. Oh and 100fl oz (about 4 liters) or so of plain water a day. Exercise helps too. No smoking. No drinking. No drugs. All that stuff will cost you results. Basically treat yourself like a princess. The healthier you are, the better your results will be. But remember we are all different and genes and age will play a big role in personal results. 

Hope that helps. ?

[Raven1981]

I would have to share my experience that my Endo is the type of doctor that not only checks for my hormones and keeping them at a balance state which I can say after being on HRT for 15 months, my levels are balanced right now with my T = low teens and my E = mid 400.  So my hormones are balanced.  My Endo also is concerned with anyone and everyone that goes to see her on vitamins.  When she pulled my vitamin blood level, my D3 and B12 were low.  So I am taking according to my doctor D3 5000mg daily and that upped my numbers.  D3 is good for rest, energy,  regular blove movements.  Then I am also taking B12 1000mg daily which is one of those that is good for health and hair.  I am also taking Biotin for my hair and nails.

 

I know for my doctor she also pulls extra labs on myself cause I am also a Cancer survivor and want to make sure that the cancer does not come back and since we have messed with my hormones, we wanted to make sure that the hormones dont cause the cancer to surface back up again.

 

Treat your body right and healthy and follow your doctor and ask questions and you will be fine.  I have been following my doctors advise and asking questions for 15 months and I am doing fine and have been told that I am looking more feminine now.

 

The only thing I wish on myself is just wanting to get my hair to grow longer and faster, but since I have very thick curly hair, my hair is growing in curls before it starts to make it's way down.  So I am going to have a full head of curls that are just thick and natural to me once they come in fully.

[J_Perra]

Thank you Kirsten.  That was exactly the type of information I was hoping for. I know, consult DR, and result vary.

[J_Perra]

Thanks Amy! I have the opposite problem. My hair is ultra fine, and breaks in a mild wind. Lol I was taking vit for hair and nails on my own, but stopped when Progesterone was added. And as soon as I stopped all my nails started to delaminate. It did not seem to help my hair at all.  I wanted to give the Prog a chance as the side effects say it effects hair and nails, and did not want compeating drugs in my system.  I greatly appreciate the input from everyone and will be consulting Dr. It is still nice to get other people's experiences.