Hi again,
If you haven't been seen by a health care provider specializing in transgender care I'd recommend seeing one...and completing necessary lab work to determine baseline levels. If you've already seen a health care provider and gotten nowhere with them, find someone else. Honestly, imho the WPATH standard is archaic...I did the standard WPATH care (E2 + spiro + finasteride) and it made me feel miserable.
Spiro should initially be given for up to 6 month, it comes with many side effects and it also has poor breast outcomes. As a matter of fact the incidence of MTF seeking breast augmentation from using spiro is around 60-70%. Finasteride is a neurosteroid and can cause depression. There's something called finasteride syndrome that once users (of fin) go off the medication it takes months to feel normal.
My experience of trans care has been shoddy at best. I've faced just about every roadblock one can face for gender care, even at present I'm struggling to get the best care. I see a new health care team next week to monitor my transition. I've done the DIY route, basically got fed up dealing with gatekeeping doctors. It's hard finding good trans care for some people...then again some get lucky and find a stellar doctor who isn't afraid to step out the standard orthodoxy of archaic health care.
For me, my goal of getting the appropriate HRT meds should be as follows:
IM (intramuscular injection) of E2 (estradiol)
Micronized progesterone
Low dose Transdermal E2
No anti-androgens needed (Orchiectomy in August of 21)
The dosages will be determined between my doctor and myself based on lab work. After 7 years of being on HRT I know what amounts get me to the therapeutic level I want to achieve.
HandofFate, I would encourage you to review this study below. And the reason I listed this study is from the fact everyone metabolizes differently. As an ectomorph your needs might be unique as to others, meaning you might need more or less than the typical HRT meds. However, lab work can only determine those needs. Doing the standard lab tests of Testosterone + Estradiol + SHBG doesn't identify all the underlying conditions of why hormones don't reach minimum standard reference ranges. I will list the labs needed if so desired. My advice is simple, don't let the lack of progress defeat you, you've put all this time into pursuing a certain goal, why throw in the towel now?.
Achieving Physiologic 17-ẞ-Estradiol Levels in Transgender Females on Estradiol Transdermal Patches and Optimal DosingAchieving Physiologic 17-ẞ-Estradiol Levels in Transgender Females on Estradiol Transdermal Patches and Optimal Dosing
https://academic.oup.com/jes/article/5/S...87/6241193
Thank you Nipply and Phanatic for your advice.
If you haven't been seen by a health care provider specializing in transgender care I'd recommend seeing one...and completing necessary lab work to determine baseline levels. If you've already seen a health care provider and gotten nowhere with them, find someone else. Honestly, imho the WPATH standard is archaic...I did the standard WPATH care (E2 + spiro + finasteride) and it made me feel miserable.
Spiro should initially be given for up to 6 month, it comes with many side effects and it also has poor breast outcomes. As a matter of fact the incidence of MTF seeking breast augmentation from using spiro is around 60-70%. Finasteride is a neurosteroid and can cause depression. There's something called finasteride syndrome that once users (of fin) go off the medication it takes months to feel normal.
My experience of trans care has been shoddy at best. I've faced just about every roadblock one can face for gender care, even at present I'm struggling to get the best care. I see a new health care team next week to monitor my transition. I've done the DIY route, basically got fed up dealing with gatekeeping doctors. It's hard finding good trans care for some people...then again some get lucky and find a stellar doctor who isn't afraid to step out the standard orthodoxy of archaic health care.
For me, my goal of getting the appropriate HRT meds should be as follows:
IM (intramuscular injection) of E2 (estradiol)
Micronized progesterone
Low dose Transdermal E2
No anti-androgens needed (Orchiectomy in August of 21)
The dosages will be determined between my doctor and myself based on lab work. After 7 years of being on HRT I know what amounts get me to the therapeutic level I want to achieve.
HandofFate, I would encourage you to review this study below. And the reason I listed this study is from the fact everyone metabolizes differently. As an ectomorph your needs might be unique as to others, meaning you might need more or less than the typical HRT meds. However, lab work can only determine those needs. Doing the standard lab tests of Testosterone + Estradiol + SHBG doesn't identify all the underlying conditions of why hormones don't reach minimum standard reference ranges. I will list the labs needed if so desired. My advice is simple, don't let the lack of progress defeat you, you've put all this time into pursuing a certain goal, why throw in the towel now?.
Achieving Physiologic 17-ẞ-Estradiol Levels in Transgender Females on Estradiol Transdermal Patches and Optimal DosingAchieving Physiologic 17-ẞ-Estradiol Levels in Transgender Females on Estradiol Transdermal Patches and Optimal Dosing
https://academic.oup.com/jes/article/5/S...87/6241193
Thank you Nipply and Phanatic for your advice.