Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Advice needed: Mum asking to get my hormone levels tested?


Guest Sam89

Recommended Posts

So I just recently came out to my parents as FTM, and while my mum is generally supportive, she has now brought up the idea that maybe my (female) hormones are low, and that's what's making me feel this way. She is more of less insisting that I get it tested (I'm of age and living by myself so obviously she can't force me). I'm resistant because in my head it's just not related, but I can't make her see that.

I'm one of those people who hasn't always known they were trans (though it all makes sense now), so I guess she thinks that low hormone levels got me feeling "not right" and then I somehow convinced myself that I'm trans. Which -- I'm not really sure how that even makes sense.

My question, then, is - has anyone ever heard of that happening before? For someone to be absolutely convinced they're trans, only to find out they just needed more of the "correct" hormones? I have never heard of it, and I really don't think this is what's going on here, but I wanted to hear what other people had to say on the matter.

Right now, she is saying that she doesn't understand how I can be thinking about surgery, probably abroad (way to jump the gun - I haven't even started hormones yet), when I won't even go to the doctor for a blood test. But I'm refusing out of principle, because I think it's irrelevant. Am I being stubborn? Should I just take the test to appease her?

Link to comment

You will need such a test before you can start HRT anyway, so why not?

My spouse believed something along the same line of reasoning that your mother is thinking. I am MTF, and she figured that my T must be low and my E too high, and THAT was why I 'imagined' I was a girl. I took the test and guess what? My T levels were sky-high and my E was almost zero. This BLEW her mind because it was opposite of what she had expected. She suddenly realized that if I could still think I was female with soooo much testosterone in my blood, then MAYBE, just maybe, I really knew what I was talking about...

I have heard of other transwomen trying to male HRT to increase their testosterone to fight the female feelings and it seems to just make them feel much worse. Paradoxically, these same transwomen seem to feel much better once on female HRT. I know it has made me feel a whole lot better about a whole lot of things in a short amount of time. But, your mileage may vary, for sure...

Good luck sorting this stuff out with your family. It will certainly take time and should be considered a work in progress..

Love, Svenna

Link to comment
Guest Leah1026
So I just recently came out to my parents as FTM, and while my mum is generally supportive, she has now brought up the idea that maybe my (female) hormones are low, and that's what's making me feel this way. She is more of less insisting that I get it tested (I'm of age and living by myself so obviously she can't force me). I'm resistant because in my head it's just not related, but I can't make her see that.

But I'm refusing out of principle, because I think it's irrelevant. Am I being stubborn? Should I just take the test to appease her?

She may say she is supportive, but this request screams D-e-n-i-a-l. Hormone levels after birth have no effect on a person's gender identity. She's basically grasping at straws. But guess what? When you go to see an endocrinologist they are going to check your levels anyway, so just explain that to her.

Link to comment
So I just recently came out to my parents as FTM, and while my mum is generally supportive, she has now brought up the idea that maybe my (female) hormones are low, and that's what's making me feel this way. She is more of less insisting that I get it tested (I'm of age and living by myself so obviously she can't force me). I'm resistant because in my head it's just not related, but I can't make her see that.

But I'm refusing out of principle, because I think it's irrelevant. Am I being stubborn? Should I just take the test to appease her?

She may say she is supportive, but this request screams D-e-n-i-a-l. Hormone levels after birth have no effect on a person's gender identity. She's basically grasping at straws. But guess what? When you go to see an endocrinologist they are going to check your levels anyway, so just explain that to her.

That's exactly why I was so annoyed with her. She kept insisting even though I told her it was irrelevant. I think it is a case of denial, but coming mostly from a place of "I don't want my kid to have to go through this of they don't need to", but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. As for the endocrinologist, I'm not sure if it works exactly the same in Denmark (and I think we go to a gynecologist), but I told her I would get it changed then, and she has accepted that for now, thankfully.

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Just "B"

I'm a bit late on the reply, but I'll add something from my personal experience. When my t-levels were checked prior to starting HRT I was on the low 300 end (329 I believe) on a scale of 300-1100. This was Oct '10.

I was a gym freak in my prior life, and used it as a way to *try* to negate any dysphoric feelings and fit in better in a man's world. I also cycled on steroids for a few months. The steroids made me bigger, but did absolutely ZERO to abate how I felt.

My therapist even asked me if I wanted to take testosterone. I flatly refused. It's good to know where your levels are at though, and only you can decide on taking estrogen to accomodate your mother. Good luck!

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
Guest jennifer_m

I've thought about getting my levels checked, as a way to build a conversation with my GP. They might have some decent referrals too. Sometimes it pays to know people in the field. :)

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 91 Guests (See full list)

    • Adrianna Danielle
    • MaybeRob
    • MaryEllen
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      767.2k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,941
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Miss Cormac
    Newest Member
    Miss Cormac
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. **Angela Charlotte **
      **Angela Charlotte **
    2. Carlie
      Carlie
      (63 years old)
    3. Cbxshawn
      Cbxshawn
      (49 years old)
    4. HannahO
      HannahO
      (31 years old)
    5. JustKatie
      JustKatie
      (40 years old)
  • Posts

    • Sally Stone
      Go Cleveland Guardians!  I love baseball and I loved playing it when I was younger.  
    • Sally Stone
      My view is we are "dependent" on government, because as a society, we are too lazy to stay actively involved. So, we let politicians do our bidding for us.  I think we'd be in a better place government wise if we policed the actions of our politicians.  We elected them; they work for us.  Sadly, we are allowing them to run amok.  We are where we are because we have chosen to let politicians make all decisions without us.  Remember "by the people, for the people?" That was the intent of our democracy.  Today, however, it is "by the politicians, for the politicians," the people be damned. 
    • Mmindy
      "Play Ball! Batter Up!" is the closing line of the National Anthem as far as I'm concerned. It's the call of the Home Plate Umpire and signals the start of the game. I grew up in the TV and Radio broadcast of the St. Louis Cardinals. Harry Caray, Jack Buck, Tim McCarver, and Mike Shannon, were the voices on my transistor radio. KMOX 1120 AM pushing 50,000 watts of Class A clear-channel non-directional signal. It could be picked up all across MO, IL, IN to the East. KS, OK, CO to the West. IA, MN to the North, and KY, TN, AR to the South. There has always been a rivalry against the Chicago Cubs, in the National League. As for the American League, I have to pull for the Kansas City Royals. I've also been a Little League Umpire, and fan of everything the Little League stands for. Going to Williamsport, PA and seeing the Little League World Series is in my top 10 things to do on my bucket list.   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mmindy
      Good evening everyone,   I don't think my mother ever cooked a meal that I didn't like. We also had a kitchen where mom fixed the food, dad filled your plate, and you eat it. It wasn't until our baby brother was born that we could have Pop-Tarts for snacks. Before that all snacks had to meet mom's approval, and in her opinion wouldn't prevent you from eating supper.   Well my day started off on a good note, but has become frustrating because my IT person didn't transfer my saved videos I use for teaching. Then I found out that they didn't save any of my book marks for websites I use frequently.   Best wishes, stay motivated,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • MaeBe
      The number is relative to method of deliver, the time of the dose, and when the blood is drawn. However, I do want to keep away from DVT and other potential issues. I assume I may be getting backed down from my current dose, but my doc told me to stick with the higher dose, so? I also wonder if this has anything to do the my breast growth and mental changes that have been happening over the past few years, like I have some estrogen sensitivity so a little goes a long way or something? I don't have enough data to postulate, but who knows!   With weekly, subcutaneous, shots you expect to see big swings of serum level estradiol from shot to peak to trough. My doctor is interested in mid-week testing (for E and T levels only), which would be post-peak blood serum levels but they will be higher than trough. Most, if not all, resources I've seen online is to measure at trough (which I might do just to do it next time) along with a SHBG, LH, and other metrics.   This is from transfemscience.org for Estradiol valerate in oil, which is very spiky compared to some other estradiol combinations. It's also for intramuscular, which will have a slower uptake and is usually dosed in higher volume due to the slower absorption rate from muscles. They don't have subcutaneous numbers, which I would expect to see similar spikes but higher levels at similar doses due to the relatively higher absorption rate direct from fat.   Are you doing pills, shots, or patches? And when you do get your levels checked are you getting that done when your levels are lowest or some other time?
    • Willow
      Both of my parents were from the “North Shore” of Boston.  My mother Lynn and my father Swampscot.  They had an early 1900s Scots-Irish New England diet.  My sister and I were born in the 40s in Ohio well away from New England seafood and in an area where food was more German and Polish.  My first experience with liver and onions was during basic training.  They ate salt cod but never forced us to eat it same with oysters.  My dad ate oysters but my mother wouldn’t.  Anyone who ever ate an oyster can figure that one out.  I grew up eating lamb.  My wife won’t touch it. I love brazed ox tail, again no way. And the list goes on.  
    • KathyLauren
      My mother was German, so yes, I think it was a cultural thing.  If I'd known you when we were cleaning out my mother's place, I could have sent you her "threat jar". 
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Been taking it real easy.Another good neighbor of mine and his 15 year old son came over and cut down a couple dead trees on my property.Knew not to do it taking it easy.I had them put the wood near my fire pit in the back yard.Did it and happy where they put it.They knew I had stents put in and needed to take it easy
    • Ashley0616
      Wow that is a high number for Estradiol good grief! Testosterone levels are better than mine. I don't remember my Estradiol level but testosterone was 80. To me that is really high but it was in the two hundreds the check in before last one. 
    • Ivy
      I don't understand why this would make a difference being a "dad" I mean, as far as how they would grow.
    • Ashley0616
      I don't see why not. I have worn forms since I came out. 
    • MaeBe
      I have never worn breastforms, but I assume as long as they don't aggravate your nipples you could.
    • MaeBe
      Every week I've been excited to take my shot, so it's never been an issue. Yesterday, however, I woke up and started my usual "slow roll" and then suddenly realized I had breakfast plans that I had to rush out the door for. After, it was straight into work calls, and then I got the notification from the doctor about things being too high and all the while my mind had completely slipped that I needed take my shot.   Given that I am not asking for medical advice, but sharing my journey, I will note my results: Estradiol at 447 pg/mL and Testosterone was 23 ng/dL, up and down from 26 pg/mL and 526 ng/dL respectively before treatment. Almost flipped the bit! The doc would like my Estradiol closer to 300 pg/mL, so we'll see what Monday's tests state.   Oh, and I teased the dinner with old soccer teammates and never updated the thread! It went well. There were a couple funny moments. One guy, who I was worried about their response, greeted me with "Hey, you've lost some weight!" 😎 And a friend who lives near me picked me up on the way to dinner exclaimed, after we learned one of the invitees might show up with a date, "Wait! We could have brought women?!" To which I instantly responded, "You kind of did, bringing me!" Everyone got a good laugh out of that. 😁
    • Ashley0616
      To me there isn't that much difference other the measurement, which side the zipper is on and men's pants have bigger pockets. 
    • missyjo
      I hope this is not stupid question..I have yet to start n not sure if doc will approve..but once you start growing buds n such, can you still wear forms to get to the size you were?   I'm a dad, so when I start blossoms they will be smaller for a long time n probably need surgical augmented..that's fine. I don't want to go ddd to aa to ddd..   any ideas?   thank you
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...