My first test results since HRT

[charlenebrown (imported)]

Hi All,

Well the long-awaited time has finally arrived, where i have recieved the results of my saliva test back from the lab. I am so thrilled and excited (i think).

However, i would be forever in the debt of those more knowledgable, if you could do a teeny bit of interpretation for me and let me know what you think. Ohh and I have updated my blog too - finally !

The results are as follows

Estradiol 41.2 - - - - male ref range 3.4 to 15 pmol/L

Progesterone 244.4 - - - - male ref range 16 to 206 pmol/L

Testosterone 161.7 - - - - male ref range 175 to 735 pmol/L

Female reference ranges:

Estradiol..... follicular phase 3.0 to 35 pmol/L

................. Ovulatory peak 12.0 to 70 pmol/L

................. Luteal phase 6.0 to 30 pmol/L

................. Post menopause < 6.0 pmol /L

Progesterone Follicular 64 to 280 pmol/L

................. Luteal 315 to 1060 pmol/L

................. Post Menopause 19 to 181 pmol/L

Testosterone 35 to 350 pmol/L

i seem to be outside the male ranges in all cases , though by not a lot in some cases.

If anyone can help me interpret these, I would be eternally grateful.

charlene:

[evai1234 (imported)]

Estradiol 41.2 - - - - male ref range 3.4 to 15 pmol/L

Progesterone 244.4 - - - - male ref range 16 to 206 pmol/L

Testosterone 161.7 - - - - male ref range 175 to 735 pmol/L

For blood tests estradiol is usually measured in either pg/ml or pmol/L.

1pg/ml = 3.671pmol/l

That said males can have up to around 40pg/ml of Estradiol.Depends on the lab, of course. Your estradiol data in pmol/L does not look correct. Maybe measurement units are different for saliva testing. I do not know.

Speaking about Testosterone (again, this refers to blood tests, not saliva tests) units of measuremet are either ng/DL or nmol/l

1ng/dl=0.0347nmol/l

female testosterone in blood ranges 8-82ng/dl. Average being around 27-35ng/dl

estradiol for females ranges 13-211pg/ml or more (premenopausal)

or 0-55pg/ml postmenopausal with no HRT

level that starts to suppres LH/FSH is around 50pg/ml

level that doctors think women on HRT feel the best 50-100pg/ml

level that some women think they feel the best 100-150pg/ml

[charlenebrown (imported)]

Thanks evai123 for your comments and info.

Do you think it would be better to have a blood test (say in a month) instead?

It is a bit complicated with all these different units of measurement, isn't it....

Ohh well , life was not meant to be easy!

Thanks again,

charlene

[Solaris (imported)]

Hi Charlene,

I am taking 100 micrograms of ethinylestradiol per day, and I went to my local hospital in August, to find out my current level of testosterone. I agree that the results can be somewhat confusing, and so may I share mine with you now?

These are my blood test results:

Testosterone: 0.4 n/ml (Extremely Low)

F.S.H. : 0.6

L.H. :0.5

Thyroid. : T.S.H. - 2.24

T4 - 11.3

My doctor has told me that I am at castrate level, and there has been no penile stimulation, erections, or ejaculation, and I am completely dry, and so I am assuming that he is right in what he says.

If you have any comment on any of this, I would certainly be interested to hear it.

Solaris

[evai1234 (imported)]

Thanks evai123 for your comments and info.

Do you think it would be better to have a blood test (say in a month) instead?

charlene

Frankly I do not know. I guess it is the same. Its that I am not too familiar with hormonal saliva test interpretation results. Where I live they usually suggest blood tests, not saliva tests in order to determine hormone levels.

[evai1234 (imported)]

Hi Charlene,

I am taking 100 micrograms of ethinylestradiol per day,

Testosterone: 0.4 n/ml (Extremely Low)

Solaris

100mcg of EE is a big dose! EE has bad reputatio in relation to the blood clothing. The same estrogenic effect can be achieved using injectable estradiol valerate or take 3-4 2mg tablets of estradiol hemihydrate per day. In both cases you will be much safer than taking 100mcg of EE (enthinyl estradiol).

0.4 n/ml - not sure what units are these.

was it saliva testing or blood testing?

[evai1234 (imported)]

Solaris,

I would suggest watch for your liver function and clothing factors while on such a large dose of EE. Quit smoking if you do smoke... Or better - change EE to something better for yout health.

100mcg of EE is really large dose of one of the least safe estrogens.

regards

me

[Solaris (imported)]

evai1234,

My thanks for your reply to my post. I have been taking the ethinylestradiol, on and off, since 1971, although not always at the present dosage. When first prescribed the hormone, by a gender specialist, I undertand that there was not the same degree of knowledge or variety, as there now is. The hormone has subsequently been supplied by my general practitioner, but it seems that, as I have discussions about this matter within this Archive, I will have to share the results with him. I have no doubt that he will willingly listen, as he is a very cooperative doctor, and I have developed a good relationship with him, over the years.

I do not smoke or drink alcohol. Although I would not want to have regular injections of estrogen, I could look into changing to the estradiol hemihydrate, at the dosage that you suggested.

The test that I had carried out, at the hospital, to discover my present level of testosterone, was a blood test, and I was informed that the level is extremely low. I have no further information apart from that which I have given in my previous post.

Once again, I thank you for your reply and kind concern.

Solaris

[mrt (imported)]

Injections sound awful but my experience has been good. I suggest a few things that might make them easy. Use small gauge needles. Depending how much oil is in the mix you use you maybe able to use 23 or 25 gauge ones. These are very small and slip in without any serious pain. Learn how to do this yourself. Its much easier (for me) to do this slowly rather then the typical "lets jam it in quick and get it over with"

Also a quick smack to the skin before you do the injection helps. Or Ice on the area before hand.

Good luck!

[Solaris (imported)]

Mr. Testosterone,

Thanks for the information about the best way of delivery for injectable estrogen.

I have been reading your posts for some years, and am pleased to know that you are coping well with a personal situation that arose from a medical condition rather than choice.

I like your username, which is why I was tempted to use it in its entirety.

Charlene,

If you come across any internet sites that deal with the explanation of the various testosterone measurements, as they are related to blood test results, will you please let me know.

Thanks a lot,

Solaris.