Different Types of Hormones

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

So I have been on both the Spiro and Estrodial since January 2018.  Just recently how my doctor has upped my patch usage of the Estrodial from 1 patch to 2 patches twice a week.  The patches that I am using administer a .*** dosage a day to me.  I am still not seeing any noticeable change.  The only notice I have seen is just the tenderness of my nipples and my T level and E levels when I get labs done show the difference.  I have been told in group that the patch and the cream is the slowest method and usually takes longer before seeing anything.

 

I am thinking on switching to another method.  I know my doctor is not all into the oral and her reason is the oral has a higher rate of blood clots.  But I am either thinking on asking if I can still do the oral and we watch me even closer, or I am thinking on doing that under the skin BB type administer or I am also thinking on doing the injectable.

 

What is everyone's take on the different methods and how soon have you started seeing any noticeable changes?

 

Lots of love

 

Amy

[Jani]

Amy don't despair.  You are noticing changes and that's what you want.  I use patches as well.  My doctor is concerned with clots also, which I appreciate since I don't need more issues.  Your doctor is concerned due to how the medicine is absorbed into the body.  Direct intake is tougher.  Transdermal is an effective delivery method.  I use once per week patches but they are be larger than the twice weekly ones due to how much they contain over a longer period.  Since you say you haven't shown much change your doctor has up'ed your dose.   Now that you've been on E for a while you might notice quicker results with the increase.  Also when you have your blood work done will affect your numbers.  I remember once my E number had gone down after an increase in dose.  Was that frustrating!  It was since I changed my schedule and had the draw done at the day before I swapped out patches.  Try to plan for the mid-point to get an even reading.  

 

I had the spiro adjusted more frequently than E.  Even though my original level was not terribly high it took some time to get it reduced.  That seemed to make a difference.  "In general, the normal range of T in males is about 270 to 1070 ng/dL with an average level of 679 ng/dL." and women's "range is 15 to 70 ng/dl"  Where your number started will determine how well the E can work its magic.  

 

Hang in there.  

Jani

[Rachael]

I started on the pills for E then switched to the patches. I have been on the patches about 5 months now. And 8 months hrt.  Things will happen as time passes. When you least expect it things will be better. It’s like the old saying “ a watched pot never boils” 

[Guest Rachel Gia]

Patches are safer and I picked patches over the pills because many of the unhealthy side effects that can occur with HRT are greatly reduced. In some ways and at times they almost seem like placebos but believe me they are not.

The initial stages of HRT and the dosages are such as to see how the body is reacting to the therapy and are monitored in the blood tests and also how you are feeling emotionally etc.

For the last six months I have not been concerned with knowing my levels of either but that was more a result of taking a cue from my doctor when she asked me if I was happy with the changes after seeing I was distressed that the  T levels were up fro the previous visit. I was and I guess that is the bottom line.

Hormones go up and down and after reading about that I stopped focusing on the numbers.

I read for instance that if a cis male exercises and does not eat the T levels go up but if he eats the T levels go down.

Being Chill might help the process a little or at least your health.

Rachel Gia

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Raven1981]

Hello  Jani

 

Well I lucked out from my cancer treatment in the past that my T level was already very low.  The base level for my T was 187.  After the lab work from my first round.  My T went down to 26.  So my T dropped fast and very low now

1 hour ago, Jani said:

I had the spiro adjusted more frequently than E.  Even though my original level was not terribly high it took some time to get it reduced.  That seemed to make a difference.  "In general, the normal range of T in males is about 270 to 1070 ng/dL with an average level of 679 ng/dL." and women's "range is 15 to 70 ng/dl"  Where your number started will determine how well the E can work its magic.  

 

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

I choose the patches for the same reason over the pills since the pills do have a higher health concern with blood clots.

 

I was thinking on wanting to try the injectable and poke me in the thy once a week.  I know my doctor has said that the injectable is a typical thicker liquid and it's not water like but more oil like.

 

But will ask again over everything

 

Thanks

 

Amy

[Lizzie McTrucker]

I do injections, mostly because of the reduced risk of blood clots. Granted with this method, there's always a chance of injecting into a vein but with proper procedure, that can be easily avoided. (although having to pull the needle out and re-insert in a different spot hurts!)

[Raven1981]

Hello Lizzie:

 

That is understandable.  I know my doctor has mentioned that if I go injections, that she does not leave me to find out.  She has me on the first one come into the office to help me out to have me do it with them first to understand and to make sure I can do it.  Also they said they can do it as well.  So my doctor is there to help

 

Thank You

 

Amy

[jae bear]

 I went with patches myself, once a week replacement, and I won’t comment on dosage as it would be improper To mention on the forum. I think that transdermal patches are just fine, they actually allow you a much steadier E level as opposed to injections, since injections are usually once a month. I talked with my endocrinologist about switching to injections and she thought the patches where the safest, and blood clots are a serious issue, even though I already have an IVC filter installed under my lungs that would catch a clot, it simply is not something you want to deal with. My wife has had two DVT’s, And let me tell you, you don’t want one, let alone two! they are as bad or worse than heart attacks, and can leave you disabled or dead,  so transdermal seems like a very safe and easy option for me. I have noticed changes over time but then again I haven’t had the highest dose I could’ve been allowed, and I think sometime this year we will move up a little higher. I don’t think it’s about having the most E possible in your system as it is less T, steady E and small results over time That get the job done. Not all natal females have high E levels, and they do just fine, the same goes with us, I don’t think there is any correlation between speed of transition and higher levels of E. Then again I’m not a specialist or an endocrinologist so the best person to ask is your doctor. I believe I’m approaching the ten-month Mark on HRT, I have other things that need adjusting too, and to be honest the electrolysis appointments need to happen sooner rather than later, as that takes a long time to get right. And there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied, voice training is one of them and I don’t seem to have it even figured it out a little. Gladly for me I don’t really have a deep voice to begin with but my range doesn’t reach very high either so I’m a little confused as to what to do other than find a professional that can help me. I know it’s hard to tell you to be patient, especially from someone like me who is completely impatient in every possible way...

Hugs,

Jae

[Raven1981]

Hello All:

 

So I called my doctor like how she wanted to give an update.  So for right now, she wants to up my dosage from (xxx) to (xxx) on the patches till she see's me in June.  Then I want to talk to my doctor about changing it up a bit on either the injections or maybe the oral.

 

But I will see what my doctor says

 

Amy

Edited April 17, 2018 by Jani
Dosage not allowed

[Jani]

Great, I glad you called and received some change.   All will be fine.

 

Jani