MTF HRT and checking the level: Up and down like a bride’s nightie!

Oof! Something no-one ever warns you about, when starting MTF HRT, is that your estrogen levels will go up and down like the ruddy stock market.

So with due reverence to versatile singer-songwriter John Shuttleworth, I thought I’d just write a short post about checking my levels and how, just when we thought they’d settled down, they went bonkers again.

H to the R to the T!

I’m a bit of a sad old tart in that I keep spreadsheets galore. I have spreadsheets about eeeeeeeeverything! And they do come in handy from time to time, such as keeping an eye on my hormone levels history.

Before I started HRT, my “bloke” levels were fairly typical: 24 for testosterone and 93 for estradiol. The aim was then to get my testerone to about zero and estradiol to between 400 and 600 – a typical female range.

So, by using estradiol patches alone (no blockers yet), we got the estrogen level up to 473. This meant I could then start T-blockers (this is how we do things on the NHS in the UK – it’s done differently in other countries).

And while the blockers have been working splendidly (my testoserone level is now down from 24 to 0.6), they’ve unfortunately had the effect of causing my estradiol levels to fall.

Are you following all this?! Lots of numbers, I know!!!

John Shuttleworth – now here’s a chap who likes to check the level!

So, my estradiol fell from 473 last November to 209 in April. Another blood test was ordered to check if this was just an anomaly, but it wasn’t. The test in July showed another fall – to 170.

So, for the past few months, my estrogen level has been way below where it needs to be, which kind of explains why things have stalled a bit. For instance, breast growth has all but stopped. There’s still a tiny bit of tenderness, but nothing to write home about.

Now the NHS doesn’t believe in rushing things – and everyone’s taking extra special care with me because of my DVT history. So it’s taken several months to get to this point.

But, last week, I got a letter from my endocrinologist, telling my GP to increase my estradiol patch dosage from 100mcg to 150mcg (this will involve using one Evorel 100 patch and one Evorel 50 patch).

There’s a handy video on how to apply the patches here (although I don’t put tape over the top of them – they’re sticky enough, so long as the area is clean and shaven).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTJq2G-UCQM

So there you go. The moral of this story is that, by adding a T-blocker, your estrogen levels may fall. It’s quite common, according to my psychotherapist at Nottingham gender clinic.

It’s another reason I’d advise strongly against self-medicating with hormones bought on the internet. Yes, they will probably work – but you’re gonna have no idea what your levels are – and then you could end up with a DVT, or worse.

In other news, I saw Sally at the gender clinic last Monday. She’s really happy with the progress I’m making, how positive I am and how I’m able to just bat away whatever shite the bigots throw at me.

Nottingham Gender Clinic

Although I love my trips to see Sally, I’m also conscious that the waiting list for Nottingham GIC is now three years (eeeeek!) so I want to get off the program and open up a place for someone else. This will be done once my levels are sorted out.

I did wonder if I needed to stay on the program until I have surgery – but who knows when (or even if) that will be? But Sally says that I can quickly rejoin the program if I ever decide to go down that road – I wouldn’t be at the back of the three-year queue. So that’s nice!

I’ve also seen loads more of the friends I made at my town’s very own Pride event. I see them most weekends and they’re absolute cherubs, every one of them. Very lucky to have made so many close friends on the same day.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Be safe out there, everyone. And be happy.

Love ya!

Andie xxx