The last time I had my hormones checked was in August, 2008. I was tested again last week and got the results tonight.

1. Since August, my free testosterone dropped from 3.1 to 0.7 ng/dL. This was terrific news.

Normal values for an adult male range from 9 - 30 ng/dL.

2. My total testosterone, which is not directly related to biological activity, fell from 123 to 28 ng/dL.

A typcial adult male will test in the 240 - 950 ng/dL range.

3. My estrogen level was essentially unchanged since my last test, at roughly 70 pg/ml. This is definitely on the low side for a premenopausal woman. My doctor told me that some other doctors she knows who treat trans women do not meausre estrogen level, although they do test for testosterone. I'm not sure I quite understand the reasoning behind that, although it made sense at the time! Part of it was that the level of estrogen is not nearly as important as the physical effects that are easily measureable.

I have been on estrogen since June 6, 2008. Since then, my emotions and interests have changed dramatically. I also have signifcant physical changes, but perhaps not to the extent usually seen at 7 months.

My doctor decided

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:33 pm to double my dose of estrogen. I

am using the Vivelle-Dot patch. This is very expensive and my insurance has covered it so far. I hope that continues.

I think total Testosterone is around 6 - 86 ng/dL for women? so your level might make you a bit more randy then usual but thats not a bad thing.

I doubt the insurance will have any problem with increasing your dose and for that CONGRATS! You should really be in the pink it sounds like your Doctor is doing an excellent job. Always good to measure adjust and repeat. Please keep her informed of any symptoms that may help her juggle things.

BTW "if" you ever do have problems with insurance having your hormones compounded at a Pharmacy is fairly cheap. *Which I'm sure I've already mentioned so please ignore that!

mrt (imported) wrote: Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:38 pm I think total Testosterone is around 6 - 86 ng/dL for women? so your level might make you a bit more randy then usual but thats not a bad thing.

I doubt the insurance will have any problem with increasing your dose and for that CONGRATS!

MrT, my friend,

It is the free testosterone that matters most here, not the total T. Free T is what is available to function as testosterone does. Most testosterone, in both men and women, is bound to either Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) or albumin. The very active free testosterone is an important measurement relating to sexual function.

I wrote that free T is what's important. Free T is closely correlated with bioavailable T. T that isn't bioavailable will have no effect.

This document from the Women's Health Program at Monash University (http://womenshealth.med.monash.edu.au/d ... -women.pdf) has a chart on page 4 that indicates my free T is only about 1/10th the level typical in premenopausal women.

As I have stated before, I have little sex drive. That observation meshes perfectly with my free T results. I am fine with this. It is an expected resulted of estrogen therapy. My doctor agreed with me when I mentioned it yesterday.

Hugs,

Danya

That is an excellent link and of course your right. Estrogen dominates in Testosterone.

Stay warm!

My insurance will cover my doubled estrogen dose. This was great news.

I wonder if I will become twice as emotional at the higher level of E? As it is now, I cry at practically anything.

Danya (imported) wrote: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:06 pm I sent Christmas cards to my

family this season to let them know I was still open to hearing from them. This was my final attempt to reconnect. At the last minute, both my Caifornia and Texas br

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:10 pm others sent cards and my Texas

relatives (brother and his wife, my niece and nephew) sent a gift certificate.

I responded by sending the Texas clan a Christmas gift along with gift cards for my niece and nephew.

I was surprised to get a hand-written thank you note

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:56 pm from my Texas brother and his wife.

This is the first time they have sent a note in all the years they have been married. They started off with 'Dear Danya' and signed the note with 'Love, .....'.

Even more surprising was the thank you card from my nephew. I did not get an invitation to his high school graduation in May, 2008. He did not use any name for me in the card, but he did sign the note with 'Love,.....' I suspect he is uncomfortable addressing me by my new name. I signed the gift card I sent him with 'Love, Danya'. I thought this would let him know he need not call me Aunt Danya.

No word from my Texas niece. I have gotten along with her well her entire life, from when I first held her when she was a few weeks old. She does not normally write.

I need to decide if it is time to send my family more information about what is going on in my life.

It's only been a few days since my doctor doubled my estrogen dose and I can already tell the difference. The most obvious change is that my nipples are much more sensitive than they ever were on the lower dose. I mean sensitive almost to the point of being painful. This is OK, though, I can handle it. The end result will be worth it!

Another effect seems to be that I am even calmer than before. This observation is, of course, very subjective.

I'm not sure if I have written about this before, a side effect of estrogen that I could do without. It's not a huge problem, but I notice it even more since my estrogen dose was doubled on Monday. I have turned into a VERY late night person. It's past time to be in bed and I have felt very tired all day. Now it is nearly 1 AM and I am energized and alert. I don't want to go to bed.

Several months ago, I asked my HRT doctor if estrogen treatment could alter my biological rhythms to the extent the my normal sleep cycle would shift. She said that this could happen.

My preferred sleep time now seems to run from about 2 AM to 11 AM. That's another thing, estrogen can cause you to need more sleep. So it's not a matter of my getting by on fewer hours of sleep. Of course, there's the teenage second puberty thing thrown in to complicate the picture further.

Is it any wonder that I don't get enough sleep many nights? I often get to bed late and then have to get up at the usual time for work. When I'm at the office, I feel tired and I ask myself 'why?'. Duh!

There is another thing I just remembered. Once again, I feel cold all the time.

Today was the worst day I have had since I transitioned at work eight months ago. I was already stressed out from working long hours. What happened today made my stress level higher. I can't write more about this now. I may later. For now, I need to relax.

The good news today is that I received a thank you card from my niece for the Christmas gift. I relate better to her than any other member of my family. She started her note with 'Dear Aunt Danya'. She also wrote 'I love you very much and hope you are doing well'.

She is 23 and no longer lives with her parents. The envelope had her address. I will write to her.

I'm sorry that its uncomfortable but its a great indication that its working the way it should. Anyway congrats your truly on your way. How long have you been on HRT?

Danya (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:47 am It's only been a few days since my doctor doubled my estrogen dose and I can already tell the difference. The most obvious change is that my nipples are much more sensitive than they ever were on the lower dose. I mean sensitive almost to the point of being painful. This is OK, though, I can handle it. The end result will be worth it!

Another effect seems to be that I am even calmer than before. This observation is, of course, very subjective.

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:04 pm Today was the worst day I have had since I transitioned at work eight months ago. I was already stressed out from working long hours. What happened today made my stress level higher. I can't write more about this now. I may later. For now, I need to relax.

The good news today is that I received a thank you card from my niece for the Christmas gift. I relate better to her than any other member of my family. She started her note with 'Dear Aunt Danya'. She also wrote 'I love you very much and hope you are doing well'.

She is 23 and no longer lives with her parents. The envelope had her address. I will write to her.

Danya, I

'm sorry for the bad day. Hopefully after a good nights rest you'll feel better. It's great to hear that your neice sent you a thank you card. It must also have felt really good for her to address you as your true self. I would like to find a female in my personal life to confide in. Just to be "one of the girls" so to speak. Sounds like your neice is understanding of your situation.

Have a great nights sleep,