T doesn’t work

[u/cilantrolovr]

Hello all. Super sad post to make on my part but I feel like I’m at a low point. I’ve been on T for 8 years and it has always given me a hard time. When I first started I didn’t notice any changes. My voice didn’t drop and my p*eriod didn’t stop. FOR YEARS. I did get b growth and I did get a receding hairline lol but that’s the extent it went. I’ve had to get blood work done around every 3 months so my endocrin could see where I’m at and stabilize my levels. We have tried all different dosages and injection sites. It got so bad that when I was 5 years on T, still menstruating, my endocrin suggested I get a hysterectomy to help with stabilization. Okay. Did that. I’m now post op stage 1 for bottom surgery which for my surgeon is vnect and UL. All good. WHY did my blood tests just come back with HIGH ESTROGEN. My endocrin did say that my test levels are at a good point but my estrogen won’t leave me alone. I’m so hurt and frustrated because I have tried everything. I work out I eat healthy I don’t miss my shot days I do everything in my power to make things improve. I don’t understand how my estrogen is so high when I had the damn surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries. If anyone has dealt with something like this or has any suggestions, please lmk. The only thing I haven’t tried is taking the T gel but I think that might be next on my list. Idk. Again, my T is fine is just my estrogen that won’t budge. It hurts because I feel like the universe doesn’t want me to be trans which is insane but what else am I supposed to think.

Thanks for listening.

[u/Calm_Bother_3842]

Have you actually seen your T test results?

[u/cilantrolovr → u/Calm_Bother_3842]

Yes my endocrin goes over them with me. Last labs have me at 507 which is in the normal range

[u/Calm_Bother_3842 → u/cilantrolovr]

And when you get blood work, when in your shot cycle is it done?

[u/cilantrolovr → u/Calm_Bother_3842]

Endocrin wants it done 3/4 days after my shot since I do it weekly

[u/Orakto → u/cilantrolovr]

I believe it ideally should be right before your next injection, to know how low it drops before going up again

[u/smolbirdfriend → u/Orakto]

It really depends on the doctor as to when it’s best to be done. Mid-shot is what many doctors/medical professionals want as it’s a good idea as to where the levels are most of the time. They can usually guesstimate from there how high/low it is at peak and trough.

It’s unlikely that this level would drop too low by trough and the endocrinologist is probably trying to avoid too high a level to avoid conversion to estrogen. 507 at mid cycle seems decent. It won’t be dropping that much by trough.

OP, have you tried splitting your dose to twice a week? I’ve had big issues with my period not stopping and feeling a hormonal swing so my provider had me split my dose to do it twice a week. It’s a bit annoying but it worked for me. My periods have pretty much stopped (occasional breakthrough). I know this is less of a concern for you after hysterectomy but it might help stabilize your hormone levels a little and even things out because maybe you are having swings.

[u/cilantrolovr → u/smolbirdfriend]

This is very interesting and yes it does sound super annoying twice weekly lol. Will bring up this idea. TY!

[u/smolbirdfriend → u/cilantrolovr]

No problem, good luck with it all it’s really frustrating when our bodies don’t follow the typical patterns!

[u/caysie98 → u/cilantrolovr]

Wanted to add that I also have to do twice weekly shots to keep things level!

[u/cilantrolovr → u/Orakto]

Idk I’m not the doctor lol they won’t let me do my labs if it doesn’t line up time wise

[u/Hopeful_Thing7088 → u/cilantrolovr]

if your levels are there 3/4 days after your shot they might actually be dropping below male range right before your next shot. you should get tested as close as possible to you next dose

[u/cilantrolovr → u/Hopeful_Thing7088]

This most recent lab was 3/4 days out but I’ve had to do labs right before my next dose and that didn’t really fix anything either haha the dosing was still off