Question About Hormones

[Guest Melanieshaman]

On Discovery Health there was a documentary about two MtFs. My question is, one has a blood clot in her lungs, and she wasn't allowed to take them anymore, but she found a doc that out her on (I think it was) Dermal Patch hormones.... anyone heard of this? how effective are they really? Supposedly you have NO chance of blood clots or complecations from them, but i would emagine they wouldn't be as effective.

Any info?

[Paula ult]

Normally if you have a DVT (Blood clot) it usually starts in the legs and can travel to your lungs, heart or brain and allot of times means no more hormones.

You didn't say what kind of hormones she was on before the blood clot, but Premarin and Eyhinyl Estradiol are the worst two for blood clots due to the liver having to process them many times.

Patches are safer because they get directly into the blood stream but there still is a slight risk for DVT.

In 2001 i had a heart attack and a few days later a stroke from a blood clot that formed around the stent they put in, my endo originally put me on patches and i was getting good results but i am allergic to the adhesive so he switched me to Estradiol pills and is monitoring me much more closely. Maybe her doctor is monitoring her much more closely too.

Paula

[Sally]

The patches and injections are the safest ways to get the hormones because they bypass the liver but they all work in the blood.

That is why it is so important to have the doctors watching you and take the blood test when they ask you to, it is the safest way.

If you are not allergic to the adhesives in the patches they work very well and are the safest - a friend of mine used them for about 5 months but she lives in South Texas and when summer arrived she couldn't keep them in place - a lot of heat means a lot of sweat and the patches slowly peal off.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest angie]

The patches and injections are the safest ways to get the hormones because they bypass the liver but they all work in the blood.

That is why it is so important to have the doctors watching you and take the blood test when they ask you to, it is the safest way.

If you are not allergic to the adhesives in the patches they work very well and are the safest - a friend of mine used them for about 5 months but she lives in South Texas and when summer arrived she couldn't keep them in place - a lot of heat means a lot of sweat and the patches slowly peal off.

Love ya,

Sally

I found how to keep on the patches once they start peeling is to use your panties to keep it snug.

Naturally,a tight panty is required,but it works.

Angie

[Guest Melanieshaman]

Normally if you have a DVT (Blood clot) it usually starts in the legs and can travel to your lungs, heart or brain and allot of times means no more hormones.

You didn't say what kind of hormones she was on before the blood clot, but Premarin and Eyhinyl Estradiol are the worst two for blood clots due to the liver having to process them many times.

Patches are safer because they get directly into the blood stream but there still is a slight risk for DVT.

In 2001 i had a heart attack and a few days later a stroke from a blood clot that formed around the stent they put in, my endo originally put me on patches and i was getting good results but i am allergic to the adhesive so he switched me to Estradiol pills and is monitoring me much more closely. Maybe her doctor is monitoring her much more closely too.

Paula

ya they didn't get into the types and what led up to it... but the patches/shots do the same? or are they less effective than the pills?

As i get close to seeing my doc about getting on hormones i just am a bit curious

[Guest yvonne]

ya they didn't get into the types and what led up to it... but the patches/shots do the same? or are they less effective than the pills?

As i get close to seeing my doc about getting on hormones i just am a bit curious

The pills are hard on your liver, since it has to process the hormones many times, as was already pointed out. The greatest risk of blood clots is from pills.

Patches significantly reduce the risk of blood clots, but they're still possible with patches. Patches release the hormones directly into the blood stream and also give a steady, more natural type of hormone supply. Genetic girls have a steady supply and patches mimic this more closely.

Pills have an uneven release and injections are even more uneven. Since injections also release directly into the blood, they also reduce the risk of blood clots.

I've found that tight panties keep the patches in place nicely on my butt, which is where patches are recommended to be placed. In addition, I have to wear a type of snug "control panty" or my butt jiggles like a bowl of jello whenever I move at all. I'm very careful when I raise or lower them, to avoid snagging the patch. I've been sweaty, but the patches are holding so far.

Yvonne

[Guest Nelly]

Hi,

is the risk of blood clots for a MTF with HRT bigger than for a bio woman? I think that life style has a big influence to the risk of blood clots. So can you compensate it by changing your life style?

Is there any influence of the place of the patches? I mean the skin is not the same on each place of the body. Some place are thinner other are thicker.

Greetings

Nelly

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hi,

is the risk of blood clots for a MTF with HRT bigger than for a bio woman? I think that life style has a big influence to the risk of blood clots. So can you compensate it by changing your life style?

Is there any influence of the place of the patches? I mean the skin is not the same on each place of the body. Some place are thinner other are thicker.

Greetings

Nelly

I think that you are right, Nelly....

Lifestyle has a LOT to do with it...but....as has been said above....risks are lower if it isn't processed through the liver too much. A natal woman's hormones enter the bloodstream directly and constantly, whereas we tend to swallow pills....my estrogen pills are dissolved under the tongue and enter the bloodstream directly as does shots, patches or gels...

Pills that you swallow are processed through the liver and make clots more of a danger.

And with patches...the enclosed paperwork will point out the best attachment places on the body....some better than others....For instance, the forehead is NOT a good place....LOL!

HUGG

Donna Jean

[Guest Elizabeth K]

All great information and advice!

I discused this with my prescribing physician. He put me on a low estridol dosage and has me dissolve them under the tongue. He also gave me two types of T-blockers which he said would make the estrogen more effective. We also discussed the patches and the IM (injections) but he did't recommend them.

I have had spectacular results so far.

Hope this helps.

Kendra

[Guest Melanieshaman]

wow , so many wise women here, thanks for all the info... now i have a clue when i go to the doc in 2 weeks or so.

[Guest shanna_bana_1]

i used patches, they're great except for when they came off.

[Guest pk_pwn]

my moms going to call the gende therepest soon so we can tell my dad im trns wit a appointment right after to answer his questions (AND HES SNOREING REALY LOUDLY RIGHT NEXT TO ME NOW =.=) but a i hear thatn patches and injections ae best (i HATE needles so i ay go with patches!) i never heard of blood clots befor now im all freaked out xD

[Guest nova]

I was put on the patch for a while. I had trouble with them staying on and showering, and with itching. I can't tolerate the pills so I have to self-inject. I don't think I'll ever get used to sticking myself, but if I have the clinic do it, they make me sit in the waiting room forever because it's done on a drop-in basis. I don't drink or smoke, so I don't have those risk factors for clots.

[Guest Ashley fl]

my dr gives me all pills , estrogen and spiro , though ive heard and read good things about the patch , except it does come off easily , a friend of mine is on another kind of patch and ive seen him use duct tape and the clear box tape seems to work the best for him to keep his patches on , seem to get him bye , though the area is rashed , im sure you and your dr will come up what form of hrt is best for you .