Rekindling My Lust for Life: A Fairy's HRT Log

[Superchicken]

So after taking roughly 15mg of Test Prop my wifes bloodwork is all back.

Test = 489
Free Test = 42
Prog = 0.1
Est = 127
SHBG = 102
FSH = 8

So her Test is up quite a bit as well as Free Test. However she doesn't feel much of anything she said. If you told her she was taking Test she wouldn't even know. I suspect her Est and Prog should be raised a bit as well. I think she might see some beneft to that.

As far as Test. No sides.

How long has she been at that dose? Her levels are high and androgenic sides can be slow and sneaky for women. If she was using test for libido, estrogen is the primary driver for that so you’re likely correct that her e2 needs raising. Linking a study in case it’s helpful.

Increasing women’s sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens - PMC

Both estradiol and testosterone have been implicated as the steroid critical for modulating women’s sexual desire. By contrast, in all other female mammals only estradiol has been shown to be critical for female sexual motivation and behavior. ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

If you have her albumin handy, you can plug it in here Free & Bioavailable Testosterone calculator

 

[newguy2]

So after taking roughly 15mg of Test Prop my wifes bloodwork is all back.

Test = 489
Free Test = 42
Prog = 0.1
Est = 127
SHBG = 102
FSH = 8

So her Test is up quite a bit as well as Free Test. However she doesn't feel much of anything she said. If you told her she was taking Test she wouldn't even know. I suspect her Est and Prog should be raised a bit as well. I think she might see some beneft to that.

As far as Test. No sides.

Wow isn't that test was too high. My wife is also taking P,E, and T. I've found it annoying that neither her Gyno who prescribed all three, nor the clinic she started at is interested in doing blood work.

They base things more on symptoms which I appreciate, sometimes a doc can see someone "in range" and conclude there is nothing wrong.

But throwing a generic dose of three different drugs at someone and doing zero diagnostics after that seems foolish to me.

This has my wife thinking blood work is not necessary but I think there's more dialing in to do.

I'm just not sure at this point what the tests are that me to be done, and when they should be done in reference to her cycle, and how to then interpret them correctly.

 

[BigDadd7]

Wow isn't that test was too high. My wife is also taking P,E, and T. I've found it annoying that neither her Gyno who prescribed all three, nor the clinic she started at is interested in doing blood work.

They base things more on symptoms which I appreciate, sometimes a doc can see someone "in range" and conclude there is nothing wrong.

But throwing a generic dose of three different drugs at someone and doing zero diagnostics after that seems foolish to me.

This has my wife thinking blood work is not necessary but I think there's more dialing in to do.

I'm just not sure at this point what the tests are that me to be done, and when they should be done in reference to her cycle, and how to then interpret them correctly.

There are a lot of answers in this thread. Reread it like a study guide.

 

[TheIcon]

Well we have to keep in mind that its Test P and not Test C or Cream taken ED injections. So there isn't really a trough. So is it high? Maybe Is it high based on "doctors range" yes. However I have seen some reports of women feeling there best at 250+ as high as 500. (about 50%) while the other 50% were around 100-250. However I do believe 400-500 is a big high.

Bloodwork is essential in my opinion. Its a snapshot in time. Now should you base everything off bloodwork Absolutely NOT!. but to not do bloodwork at all I think is just as reckless. Ultimately I think basing things on symptoms is the correct way but use bloodwork as a guide.

Id say the main ones are

Test
Free Test
Estro
Progesterone
SHBG
FSH

Most often Test is tested at the "trough" That is kind of hard to do with Test P since it is ED injections so there really isn't much of a trough. Levels remain rather steady with ED injections.

I think its also good to get a trough reading on Estro and Progesterone as well as a peak reading.

As I mentioned in another post this is the start of HRT for women. Its just starting to get recognized and re-written.

 

[newguy2]

Well we have to keep in mind that its Test P and not Test C or Cream taken ED injections. So there isn't really a trough. So is it high? Maybe Is it high based on "doctors range" yes. However I have seen some reports of women feeling there best at 250+ as high as 500. (about 50%) while the other 50% were around 100-250. However I do believe 400-500 is a big high.

Bloodwork is essential in my opinion. Its a snapshot in time. Now should you base everything off bloodwork Absolutely NOT!. but to not do bloodwork at all I think is just as reckless. Ultimately I think basing things on symptoms is the correct way but use bloodwork as a guide.

Id say the main ones are

Test
Free Test
Estro
Progesterone
SHBG
FSH

Most often Test is tested at the "trough" That is kind of hard to do with Test P since it is ED injections so there really isn't much of a trough. Levels remain rather steady with ED injections.

I think its also good to get a trough reading on Estro and Progesterone as well as a peak reading.

As I mentioned in another post this is the start of HRT for women. Its just starting to get recognized and re-written.

Thanks. My wife is currently pinning prop eod, E is transdermal patches and P is oral daily.

 

[DoubleDeez]

Test
Free Test
Estro
Progesterone
SHBG
FSH

Should probably do LH as well

 

[DoubleDeez]

Why Test Days 19-22 of 28-Day Cycle | DUTCH Test Blog

Learn about the importance of testing hormone levels during days 19-22 of a 28-day cycle. Find out how the DUTCH Test can help you monitor your health.

dutchtest.com

 

[TheIcon]

Thanks. My wife is currently pinning prop eod, E is transdermal patches and P is oral daily.

Yea she is on Test Prop injections and we also have Est Cyp injections. I mentioned to DoubleDeez that I needed to source Progesterone. She provided some help above at low dose levels which is a starting point. Haven't found a source yet online for anything higher dosed/cream/vaginal

 

[Superchicken]

Wow isn't that test was too high. My wife is also taking P,E, and T. I've found it annoying that neither her Gyno who prescribed all three, nor the clinic she started at is interested in doing blood work.

They base things more on symptoms which I appreciate, sometimes a doc can see someone "in range" and conclude there is nothing wrong.

But throwing a generic dose of three different drugs at someone and doing zero diagnostics after that seems foolish to me.

This has my wife thinking blood work is not necessary but I think there's more dialing in to do.

I'm just not sure at this point what the tests are that me to be done, and when they should be done in reference to her cycle, and how to then interpret them correctly.

Medical guidelines do say that testing isn’t how you treat hormones for peri/menopausal women and to go based on symptoms. I get it because otherwise you get an incompetent doctor who sees a snapshot of your profile, says you’re good and sends you on your way or gives a SSRI when you’re symptomatic. It’s stupid to not monitor imo because e2 minimum needs 60pg/ml for bone protection, and osteoporosis is silent. Also testing helps show how well hormones are being absorbed, assuming for transdermal treatment.

I recently was having bleeding every 2 weeks and the recommendation was to reduce my e by 70%. I ran labs and my progesterone was too low even though I was taking 300mg. I switched to p injx from Indian pharma and the bleeding resolved. Dropping the e2 would’ve made me feel like shit again. Not testing is how you end up with women who say hrt didn’t work for them.

Speaking of progesterone, if being taken orally, the LCMS version is what needs to be tested since standard can have P be artificially inflated.

There is a Facebook group called Bio-identical Hormone Therapy Replacement that is helpful for dialing in and optimal lab values. There is another with the same name, but the one I suggest has a a plumeria flower as the cover photo. I’m in a few different groups and this one has the most common sense and science based info. The others are the wild Wild West of fuckery

 

[TheIcon]

Wild West of Fuckery Bahahahaha Thats like Reddit. There are some good people and groups there but some are just wild.

There is one group I actually like but they take issue to Men responding.So its a bit hard to get a conversation going. Liek just because Im a man doesn't mean Im not knowledgeable. I mean many of the doctors women are going to at clinics are men lol. Hell the doctor I went to some years ago was a woman for my TRT. As long as you don't act like an A-hole or say redonk stuff I think most men are good to go. Most men are a weath of knowledge when it comes to Test and Estro.

 

[Superchicken]

Well we have to keep in mind that its Test P and not Test C or Cream taken ED injections. So there isn't really a trough. So is it high? Maybe Is it high based on "doctors range" yes. However I have seen some reports of women feeling there best at 250+ as high as 500. (about 50%) while the other 50% were around 100-250. However I do believe 400-500 is a big high.

Bloodwork is essential in my opinion. Its a snapshot in time. Now should you base everything off bloodwork Absolutely NOT!. but to not do bloodwork at all I think is just as reckless. Ultimately I think basing things on symptoms is the correct way but use bloodwork as a guide.

Id say the main ones are

Test
Free Test
Estro
Progesterone
SHBG
FSH

Most often Test is tested at the "trough" That is kind of hard to do with Test P since it is ED injections so there really isn't much of a trough. Levels remain rather steady with ED injections.

I think its also good to get a trough reading on Estro and Progesterone as well as a peak reading.

As I mentioned in another post this is the start of HRT for women. It’s just starting to get recognized and re-written.

You’re right, prop does make it tricky. I use it and just do my draw before my next injx. Cyp would be easier, but have tried multiple times and it doesn’t work for me.

My total T is in the high hundreds, so I get it and have seen women higher, but they’re usually the outliers. I’ve just seen a lot of women end up with irreversible side effects months down the road because they don’t know viralization is slow and you can feel amazing when it’s happening.

 

[newguy2]

Medical guidelines do say that testing isn’t how you treat hormones for peri/menopausal women and to go based on symptoms. I get it because otherwise you get an incompetent doctor who sees a snapshot of your profile, says you’re good and sends you on your way or gives a SSRI when you’re symptomatic. It’s stupid to not monitor imo because e2 minimum needs 60pg/ml for bone protection, and osteoporosis is silent. Also testing helps show how well hormones are being absorbed, assuming for transdermal treatment.

I recently was having bleeding every 2 weeks and the recommendation was to reduce my e by 70%. I ran labs and my progesterone was too low even though I was taking 300mg. I switched to p injx from Indian pharma and the bleeding resolved. Dropping the e2 would’ve made me feel like shit again. Not testing is how you end up with women who say hrt didn’t work for them.

Speaking of progesterone, if being taken orally, the LCMS version is what needs to be tested since standard can have P be artificially inflated.

There is a Facebook group called Bio-identical Hormone Therapy Replacement that is helpful for dialing in and optimal lab values. There is another with the same name, but the one I suggest has a a plumeria flower as the cover photo. I’m in a few different groups and this one has the most common sense and science based info. The others are the wild Wild West of fuckery

I see LabCorp has an LCMS and an LCMS ultra sensitive. Do either work for oral P. Sensitive is $55

 

[TheIcon]

You’re right, prop does make it tricky. I use it and just do my draw before my next injx. Cyp would be easier, but have tried multiple times and it doesn’t work for me.

My total T is in the high hundreds, so I get it and have seen women higher, but they’re usually the outliers. I’ve just seen a lot of women end up with irreversible side effects months down the road because they don’t know viralization is slow and you can feel amazing when it’s happening.

Any idea what your SHBG is at? Feel like my wifes at 102 is a bit high so not sure she is getting the full benefits of all the Test.

 

[Superchicken]

I see LabCorp has an LCMS and an LCMS ultra sensitive. Do either work for oral P. Sensitive is $55

I’m not sure. I just checked my results for Quest and Labcorp and they both only have LCMS.

Any idea what your SHBG is at? Feel like my wifes at 102 is a bit high so not sure she is getting the full benefits of all the Test.

It’s changed a few times. It started out at
155 nm/ol (17-124) and has been trending down, most recently at 70. I’m not sure what dropped it, but suspect it was the daily prop.

 

[DoubleDeez]

Small little update: I’m in the middle of my luteal phase, at peak progesterone dosing now. Sleeping really fucking well. Also feeling a bit of moodiness (normal PMS levels, not full on PMDD rage/depression or anything.) I’m still 8 days out from my predicted period, and hoping it doesn’t get any worse, but I will also start titrating my P back down after tomorrow so that should help. I definitely overall enjoy the first half of the cycle more, when I’m just taking E, even though the P-induced sleep is fantastic.

I was also finally able to switch esters/concentration with my last injection on Thursday. Goodbye, E Val 100, and hello to E Cyp 10! I can accurately dose smaller doses now, and decided to roll with .3mg EOD. My plan was to do .25 EOD initially but I didn’t grab any syringes with half tics on them when I was first thinking about it. This is fine. EOD dosing is cool and I love it already. I’m due for my second injection with the E Cyp tonight and have yet to feel a crash. Life is good.

 

[Superchicken]

Small little update: I’m in the middle of my luteal phase, at peak progesterone dosing now. Sleeping really fucking well. Also feeling a bit of moodiness (normal PMS levels, not full on PMDD rage/depression or anything.) I’m still 8 days out from my predicted period, and hoping it doesn’t get any worse, but I will also start titrating my P back down after tomorrow so that should help. I definitely overall enjoy the first half of the cycle more, when I’m just taking E, even though the P-induced sleep is fantastic.

I was also finally able to switch esters/concentration with my last injection on Thursday. Goodbye, E Val 100, and hello to E Cyp 10! I can accurately dose smaller doses now, and decided to roll with .3mg EOD. My plan was to do .25 EOD initially but I didn’t grab any syringes with half tics on them when I was first thinking about it. This is fine. EOD dosing is cool and I love it already. I’m due for my second injection with the E Cyp tonight and have yet to feel a crash. Life is good.

Thought of something today and wanted to share in case it’s helpful. I was struggling when my dr wanted me to increase P after increasing my E, nipples were on fire and my boobs were swollen and heavy for weeks - worst than being pregnant. She told me that as long as I am still cycling, that P isn’t entirely necessary since the endometrial lining is still shedding itself regularly, keeping growth in check. I dropped back down to 100mg and the shitty symptoms went away.

I love P for the sleep benefits, but hate everything else about it. My husband sent me an insta reel on pmdd and I never would’ve thought I have it, bc no rage or severe depression, but every other symptom at a debilitating level. I just dropped my P injx dose, upped the E slightly and am dosing eod instead of twice a week to see if it helps.

Also listened to a podcast recently about MCAS and hormones. It was said some women notice an improvement in PMDD symptoms when using an antihistamine and/or h2 blocker like Pepcid. After hearing that I realized my allergies are unmanageable starting 10ish days before my cycle. I’m already on allergy meds and that’s the only time none of it works and I end up taking half a Benadryl at night. Thought it was interesting.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience, gave me the idea to adjust my own routine.

 

[DoubleDeez]

Thought of something today and wanted to share in case it’s helpful. I was struggling when my dr wanted me to increase P after increasing my E, nipples were on fire and my boobs were swollen and heavy for weeks - worst than being pregnant. She told me that as long as I am still cycling, that P isn’t entirely necessary since the endometrial lining is still shedding itself regularly, keeping growth in check. I dropped back down to 100mg and the shitty symptoms went away.

I love P for the sleep benefits, but hate everything else about it. My husband sent me an insta reel on pmdd and I never would’ve thought I have it, bc no rage or severe depression, but every other symptom at a debilitating level. I just dropped my P injx dose, upped the E slightly and am dosing eod instead of twice a week to see if it helps.

Also listened to a podcast recently about MCAS and hormones. It was said some women notice an improvement in PMDD symptoms when using an antihistamine and/or h2 blocker like Pepcid. After hearing that I realized my allergies are unmanageable starting 10ish days before my cycle. I’m already on allergy meds and that’s the only time none of it works and I end up taking half a Benadryl at night. Thought it was interesting.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience, gave me the idea to adjust my own routine.

Ah thank you so much for sharing! After I posted this last update my symptoms got a little bit worse for a day or two. Almost made me wanna throw in the towel. Titrating back down and I feel a lot better already but still not nearly as good as I felt on just E. I’m curious about the antihistamine thing and might give that a go next time. Keep me posted on how things go for you as well, I find your input very valuable and love that we can learn from each other on this experimental little ride.

 

[Superchicken]

Ah thank you so much for sharing! After I posted this last update my symptoms got a little bit worse for a day or two. Almost made me wanna throw in the towel. Titrating back down and I feel a lot better already but still not nearly as good as I felt on just E. I’m curious about the antihistamine thing and might give that a go next time. Keep me posted on how things go for you as well, I find your input very valuable and love that we can learn from each other on this experimental little ride.

I know it gets frustrating, but am glad you didn’t quit! I had ups and downs after starting, but overall trended positive. Recently with stopping my estrogen while waiting for the progesterone, made things a bitch to get back to a solid baseline. It was like not being on any hormones at all and has taken longer to get good again. Fucking sucked and would hate for that to happen to you.

 

[DoubleDeez]

Alright I’ve got a question, since everyone here is more experienced with pinning than I am… why the fuq is my left ass cheek so easy but every single injection we’ve done in the right cheek has been almost unbearable? No PIP, just the injection itself. We’ve tried multiple spots on that cheek and not one of them has been easy. I hardly feel a thing on my left cheek in comparison.

Spoiler: TMI

Also really wild to me because when I get spanked on my left cheek it stings way more, I’m like immune to spankings on my right cheek. So not sure why it’s flip flopped for injections.

(31g, 1/4” length 0.3cc insulin syringe for sub-q)

 

[BigDadd7]

Tell him to stop slapping that side when you walk by