Lab Results from Hormonal Doctor Yesterday

[Tracy1980 (imported)]

Hi Board. Yesterday, I saw my new hormonal doctor in San Francisco. I have been on 150 mg of Androcur now for about one year, as well as 6 mg of Estrogen daily. I did my first blood panel since being on these hormones, and I received my results yesterday. Some results included being HIV negative and healthy liver and kidney results. His only concern was that I watch my cholesterol levels, but he said that estrogens often help this number.

I am starting this thread to inquire about my testosterone level. My T number was 39. He said that anything under 80 was in the female range. Is this a low enough T level since I have been on 150 mg of Androcur daily for the past year? Also, what will my T level be after my orchiectomy?

Thanks,

Tracy

[mrt (imported)]

Hi Board. Yesterday, I saw my new hormonal doctor in San Francisco. I have been on 150 mg of Androcur now for about one year, as well as 6 mg of Estrogen daily. I did my first blood panel since being on these hormones, and I received my results yesterday. Some results included being HIV negative and healthy liver and kidney results. His only concern was that I watch my cholesterol levels, but he said that estrogens often help this number.

I am starting this thread to inquire about my testosterone level. My T number was 39. He said that anything under 80 was in the female range. Is this a low enough T level since I have been on 150 mg of Androcur daily for the past year? Also, what will my T level be after my orchiectomy?

Thanks,

Tracy

I Googled Normal Female Estrogen levels it said 20-80ng/dL. I think its important to point out that Testosterone with the correct amount of Estrogen determines if you have energy, good mood and a sex drive or not. And people who depress the Testosterone level too far can end up being unhappy with the results. I think if you want female levels you have to adjust all the main hormones to the proper levels.

A study of castrated men (Cancer) said that the median level post bilaterial Orchiectomy was 15 ng/dL which may explain why so many Transexual Women don't persue a sex life. I "think" the solution is to mix tiny amounts of testosterone to get them into the middle of the female range. I understand why some would see Testosterone (any) as the enemy but the truth is you need the right mix to get male OR female right.

[kristoff]

Typically, most women and castrated men (without HRT) will show T levels in the ranges below 100 ng/dl. Most non-HRT eunuchs will average around 50 ng/dl, based on anecdotal reports seen here and other research reports I have looked at in past. These are what are often referred to as "adrenal testosterone levels." Your adrenal glands produce small amounts of testosterone, regardless of the presence or absence of testes. Yours is in this range, and given your regimen, you are likely right where you should be. Your doctor may wish to vary your hormonal levels based upon desired objectives.

Strictly based upon my own observation (no empirical evidence) I would expect most transgender women (possibly other transgenders as well) who experience a low sex drive more from psychological reasons than physical. The hormones are there, one just may not act on them. I would expect a frequent concern with "discovery" and "rejection" as an issue, perhaps other reasons as well. That would be my intuition - largely a guess.

[transward (imported)]

Another possible reason for low libido among transsexual women is the large number of them who are taking antidepressants. I have known several trans women who had assumed their low libido was a normal result of HRT; and who were supprised when their sex drive started perking up when they came off antidepressants.

Transward

[mrt (imported)]

Typically, most women and castrated men (without HRT) will show T levels in the ranges below 100 ng/dl. Most non-HRT eunuchs will average around 50 ng/dl, based on anecdotal reports seen here and other research reports I have looked at in past. These are what are often referred to as "adrenal testosterone levels." Your adrenal glands produce small amounts of testosterone, regardless of the presence or absence of testes. Yours is in this range, and given your regimen, you are likely right where you should be. Your doctor may wish to vary your hormonal levels based upon desired objectives.

Strictly based upon my own observation (no empirical evidence) I would expect most transgender women (possibly other transgenders as well) who experience a low sex drive more from psychological reasons than physical. The hormones are there, one just may not act on them. I would expect a frequent concern with "discovery" and "rejection" as an issue, perhaps other reasons as well. That would be my intuition - largely a guess.

I think thats probably true also (Being rejected having to deal with the discovery issue) but the women I was thinking of are the ones who stated they never had much interest in sexual pleasure post op (Either sex or masturbation) I know more about natal women (in menopause) and I think they have the same issue. Female Testosterone goes down at the same time as the Estrogen and Progesterone go to hell.

The more I learn about my own hormones the more I see what an impact they have on how I feel.

[Tracy1980 (imported)]

At the time, I do have a very low sex drive. In a way, it is sort of refreshing because I have more time to think clearly about the direction I want to go in life without sex complicating things at the time. I am on 150 mg of Zoloft for depression, so that may also be affecting my sex drive like a previous poster mentioned.

This was the dilemma, however, that my hormonal doctor mentioned. He said that post-orchiectomy, my T levels would be pretty much where they are now and that I should think about the impact this will have on future relationships. He said I may be fine at the time with little or no sex drive, but what about 10-15 years down the line? He said I may be relationshipless if I am never horny.

At the time, I am trying to figure out whether I want the orchiectromy or the full GRS. He said that if I get an orchiectomy, and then in the future he increases my T levels for increased libido through HRT, I probably would not like this because this would give me erections once again, which psychologically I would not like because that would be "male." Let's say I was to go for the full GRS and he was to increase my T levels through HRT, this may be better because there would no longer be a penis to get erect. But here is another question I have. In full GRS when the testicles are removed and the penis is inverted into a vagina, where does the sexual stimulation come from in this? How is this surgically done?

[plix (imported)]

I come across a lot of MtFs who shout the fact that they have no libido as if it is normal for a woman not to have a libido and it is something to be proud of as part of being a woman. But there are so many women out there who have a raging libido and couldn't be happier with it. It is not normal for a woman to not have a libido. If you are OK with not having a libido, then that is one thing. But don't think that not having a libido is supposed to be true for a woman. You can try seeing if you can make one happen if it is what you want, either now or in the future

[mrt (imported)]

I'm active in a support group and have learned that the "typical" natal female is very much into sex. So unless all these women are odd sex drive IS normal for women. Its perhapes not as blatent as male sex drive. Whats the old joke? Women only need to be "willing" to have sex. Men have to do a lot of chasing around Anyway its there and its part of being female.

Anyway, the point I think I (and Plix) was trying to make is that testosterone is a normal part of the "mix" for women as well as men. Its just in different proportions. And btw estrogen is an important part of male make up. I spoke to a guy who was worried that too much Estrogen was screwing up his sex drive so he took some anti cancer meds until it was just about zero. He had all the sex drive in the world but ZERO ability to orgasm. Talk about driving the poor guy crazy. He said that the worst part was waiting for his Estrodiol levels to come back to normal male levels so he could climax again.

Getting yourself into a good balance takes a lot of effort and for those of us who have no natural production it can take months to years to get it right. You need to be vocal about your symtoms and expect the Doctor to address your issues. And I think its of value to investigate compounding pharmacy for TS hormone mixes so you get all the proper hormones in the right mix.

Good luck!

[coinflipper_21 (imported)]

I'm active in a support group and have learned that the "typical" natal female is very much into sex

I can very much second that observation. I know one natal female in particular who, at 60 some odd years of age, says that she came through menopause hornier than a two-peckered billy goat.

Getting yourself into a good balance takes a lot of effort and for those of us who have no natural production it can take months to years to get it right. You need to be vocal about your symtoms and expect the Doctor to address your issues. And I think its of value to investigate compounding pharmacy for TS hormone mixes so you get all the proper hormones in the right mix.

I second this too. To get any proper attention to issues like this you have to be VERY vocal with your doctor. This type of thing requires more attention to detail than provided in the "eight minute medicine" that is currently practiced. When he/she gets to adjusting your prescriptions to put you in balance I hope you can find a compounding pharmacy in your area. They are becoming scarce, and though expensive, are worth it if you need your medication customized.

Be well!

[joanne-f (imported)]

http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/ ... chor113643

This site has a section entitled: Sexual Arousal, Lovemaking and Orgasm in Postoperative Transsexual Women - for all those that say trans-women have no sex drive or are asexual would do well to read this part.

I've known several trans-women who have had healthy libedos. After my SRS (sometime in the future) I hope to have a healthy sex life, though I know nothing is guarenteed.

Be warned: there are pictures of vaginas in that link (surgically constructed ones that is)!!!