Exciting news I ordered my first hormones

[lanell]

I never realized how exciting it would be. It was tough to make the first order but after I was done I felt as if a weight was lifted off of me:):):D:D

[KarenS]

I envy you Lanell. I would love to take hormones. In my situation, I don't believe it iwll ever be possible.

Good for you.

[Jenniferathome]

Lanell, unless you are under a doctor's care and this is prescribed, it is extremely dangerous to do this.

[Veronica Lodge]

What exactly did you order?

[LeaP]

Lanell, unless you are under a doctor's care and this is prescribed, it is extremely dangerous to do this.

(up-front disclaimer - I'm not on hormones)

I hear this all the time. I get it. Still, something in the back of my head thinks this is pandering to the medical profession, given the horrible record it's racked up killing, injuring, and in general, causing mayhem in people's lives. I go to the doctor when I need to. But I never take anything they say or do at face value. The risk of someone informed doing something on their own is probably less than being under some doctors' care - ESPECIALLY in this kind of care. So, if you have access to an honest-to-God specialist who knows the territory, then fine. If you're relying on the local GP acting as a dispenser for the regional therapists, watch out for your own interests. I can say from personal experience (in other areas of medical practice) that were there not people back-checking medical staff, people in my family would be dead today.

Lea

[Julia_in_Pa]

If your talking about ordering hormones overseas please don't do that.

I admit I did so at the very start of my HRT intake eleven years ago but I quickly found a doctor that would prescribe for me.

Take the hormones that you have ordered and find a doctor.

Show them to the doctor and state to him or her that you are serious about hormone therapy.

Chances are they will prescribe HRT for you based on the fact that you went to such lengths.

This is what my doctor at the time did for me.

Chances are your doctor will do the same for you Lanell .


Julia

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Please lea be responsible with your advice...
Distrust of doctors in general is a reasonable idea ...especially if you have been burned...you have to be your own advocate..doctors are far from perfect..

that being said, the risks of going "off the grid" to get hormones are incomparably higher than going to a doctor..

How can you say that a NON doctor or NON medical staff would be any less deceitful or greedy than a doctors staff?? you can't.

[JulieK1980]

(up-front disclaimer - I'm not on hormones)

I hear this all the time. I get it. Still, something in the back of my head thinks this is pandering to the medical profession, given the horrible record it's racked up killing, injuring, and in general, causing mayhem in people's lives. I go to the doctor when I need to. But I never take anything they say or do at face value. The risk of someone informed doing something on their own is probably less than being under some doctors' care - ESPECIALLY in this kind of care. So, if you have access to an honest-to-God specialist who knows the territory, then fine. If you're relying on the local GP acting as a dispenser for the regional therapists, watch out for your own interests. I can say from personal experience (in other areas of medical practice) that were there not people back-checking medical staff, people in my family would be dead today.

Lea

If the hormone levels in your body aren't monitored you will develop blood clots and die, or develop any number of other complications. It's really that simple. Hate the medical profession if you wish, but take the time to research on your own before you throw around any type of "advice" related to that which you clearly don't understand. To get on HRT you have to go to an endo that specializes, it isn't a matter of walking into your local doctors office and asking for hormones. At the very least your local general practice doctor is forced by law to consult to an endocrinologist before a pharmacy will even fill the prescription. (In most US states.)

Ordering them from overseas is even more dangerous and it's very likely the "hormones" you buy don't actually have hormones in them, just a number of likely toxic substances.

[Kelsy]

Lanell,

When my therapist found out that I was self medicating she told me that I would have to stop if we were going to continue
and she told me that I needed to get a doctors appointment asap to be checked out. She gave me the number for a gender clinic
Three months later with a GID diagnosis I started my HRT under doctors care. constant blood checks, blood pressure montoring
and constant checking for adverse side effects is the safest way. I've got a couple of questions for ya Are you in therapy at all?
Who Knows you'll be taking these? Do you smoke?

Many here started this way and most probably have had no ill effect but your odds for having medical problems is greatly increased
by taking this approach. Hormones are not difficult to get and you will know you're getting quality meds through a doctor.

Because we care, K

[Aprilrain]

If the hormone levels in your body aren't monitored you will develop blood clots and die, or develop any number of other complications. It's really that simple.

NO its really NOT that simple JodyCD (emphasis on the CD part!) You have been spouting this same inaccurate fear mongering non-sense since I asked about hormones on this very forum over a year ago. being monitored doesn't guarantee anything. Im not suggesting the OP should self medicate but to insist that you will die if you aren't monitored is a fallacy, to insist that everyone who takes hormones will eventually get cancer is a fallacy, to say that the hormones that one buys are likely "toxic substances" is a fallacy, I ordered from one popular website for 6 months and when I did see my Endo my estradiol was in the normal female range, T was slightly below female range, progesterone was normal and I already had boobs, that wouldn't happen from "toxic substances" that were not hormones! (if it did half of the CDers would be on "toxic substances" as we speak). Saying a doctor needs to consult an Endo to prescribe hormones is not true. I had a GP prescribe for me estradiol and progesterone after meeting with her once. These drugs aren't even controlled substances. Its fine to inform people of the potential risk of hormones (which are totally manageable BTW) its another thing to fear monger. Telling lies and half truths even if for a good cause is just wrong.

[Katesback]

I see this trend as well. I have worked with countless trans people that were taking hormones. Would you believe I have sat in meetings and listened to trans people preach this danger thing and then go smoke a ciggarrette. I have never known anyone to have hormone related health issues. Now of course if someone takes hormones far outside the typical dosages they are only asking for trouble. To suggest that someone that takes them within the typical dosages will die if they are not monitored by a doctor is silly.

I have not been to a doctor for a couple years now and being post op I take a very small dosage. Am I scarred? Nope. Crap when I do go to a doctor it is far more likely I will know more about the dosage and tests to take than they do. Of course I did my homework and read up on literature wrtten by knowlegable doctors about the typical dosages.

Also if someone does suggest they had complications I would have to ask what general health they were in in the first place. If someone does not excersize and is in bad shape health problems are more likely no matter if they take horomes or not.

And yes you dont need an ENDO to get hormones. Any doctor can take care of it. Back to the research not only are the dosages published but the tests as well. You can actually become an expert and direct your doctor to what is nessessary.






NO its really NOT that simple JodyCD (emphasis on the CD part!) You have been spouting this same inaccurate fear mongering non-sense since I asked about hormones on this very forum over a year ago. being monitored doesn't guarantee anything. Im not suggesting the OP should self medicate but to insist that you will die if you aren't monitored is a fallacy, to insist that everyone who takes hormones will eventually get cancer is a fallacy, to say that the hormones that one buys are likely "toxic substances" is a fallacy, I ordered from one popular website for 6 months and when I did see my Endo my estradiol was in the normal female range, T was slightly below female range, progesterone was normal and I already had boobs, that wouldn't happen from "toxic substances" that were not hormones! (if it did half of the CDers would be on "toxic substances" as we speak). Saying a doctor needs to consult an Endo to prescribe hormones is not true. I had a GP prescribe for me estradiol and progesterone after meeting with her once. These drugs aren't even controlled substances. Its fine to inform people of the potential risk of hormones (which are totally manageable BTW) its another thing to fear monger. Telling lies and half truths even if for a good cause is just wrong.

[JulieK1980]

What I've said is true, research on your own. As was said, YOU are your own best advocate. Don't trust doctors, that's fine and understandable, but you only get one chance to live, don't waste it on an unnecessary risk that can be avoided. If you don't like what I have to say, that's fine to, (I promise no sleep will be lost) but PLEASE do yourself a favor and research anything you plan to put into your body. If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is. My goal is not to "fear monger" it's to encourage you to learn the risks involved in what you are taking.

[Koka]

Lanell,

All we want to emphasize here is to just be careful regarding the source of where you are getting the hormones. We need to take care of each other if we need to want to succeed as a strong community and be educated before we proceed to intake hormones. I think is a responsible choice.

As Jodie said you are your best advocate but at the same time, you need to do your basic homework and research, research, and research and I am sure did.

I wish you a peaceful, exciting and healthy transition.

Namaste!

[Koka]

Great reply/advise Kate. Loved it!. Exercise and diet in general is important for the overall health of any human being regardless of HRT.


I see this trend as well. I have worked with countless trans people that were taking hormones. Would you believe I have sat in meetings and listened to trans people preach this danger thing and then go smoke a ciggarrette. I have never known anyone to have hormone related health issues. Now of course if someone takes hormones far outside the typical dosages they are only asking for trouble. To suggest that someone that takes them within the typical dosages will die if they are not monitored by a doctor is silly.

I have not been to a doctor for a couple years now and being post op I take a very small dosage. Am I scarred? Nope. Crap when I do go to a doctor it is far more likely I will know more about the dosage to take than they do. Of course I did my homework and read up on literature wrtten by knowlegable doctors about the typical dosages.

Also if someone does suggest they had complications I would have to ask what general health they were in in the first place. If someone does not excersize and is in bad shape health problems are more likely no matter if they take horomes or not.

And yes you dont need an ENDO to get hormones. Any doctor can take care of it. Back to the research not only are the dosages published but the tests as well. You can actually become an expert and direct your doctor to what is nessessary.

[Melody Moore]

Just because Kate likes to take matters into her own hands and has been LUCKY, it does not mean that
everyone else should be as stupid. I know a number of people, INCLUDING myself that have had other
problems with hormones and have finished up in hospital to have their gall bladders out. Not to mention
those who have got DVT. Taking hormone therapy without proper supervision monitoring is extremely
dangerous. Self medicating is with hormones is something we don't advocate around here or that I never
personally advocate as the coordinator of my local support group.

The Dangers of the Internet and Unsupervised Prescribing by Dr. Richard Curtis (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?75734-The-Dangers-of-the-Internet-and-Unsupervised-Prescribing-by-Dr.-Richard-Curtis)

[Melody Moore]

Val, you dont get it do you? When you are being supervised, doctors will do regular blood work and any
anomalies like changes to the enzymes in the liver, kidneys etc can also indicate problems. Prior to my
attack of Cholecystitis my doctor noted an enzyme from my liver. Also there are people here who have
more serious issues such as being intersex & don't know it. I didn't find out I was intersex until I started
transition and if you have any pre-existing conditions or a disposition towards certain hormones which can
cause some real serious complications.

[Suzette Muguet de Mai]

Let us know how you are getting on Lanell, I am very interested to know for my own thoughts about getting some too.

[Melody Moore]

Tania, I would not recommend trying to import drugs here in Australia without authority because they will bust you.
Unlike the USA we have very strict laws and our customs officers are not very tolerant when it comes to this stuff.

[arbon]

I never realized how exciting it would be. It was tough to make the first order but after I was done I felt as if a weight was lifted off of me:):):D:D


Welcome to the dark side!

[Rianna Humble]

Exciting news I ordered my first hormones
I never realized how exciting it would be.

Hi Lanell, I know exactly what you mean about being excited - I got my first prescription on Monday morning, so I am excited for you :hugs:

Without wanting to put a dampener on this, though, I am concerned to know whether you are getting the right level of expert medical help and monitoring.

[Suzette Muguet de Mai]

Point taken Melody Moore.

[Badtranny]

Since I rarely avoid trouble, I have something to add ;-)

My silly friend April is correct. Self medicating is not likely to kill or maim you, especially if you're young. What is more likely is wasting money for 6 months or a year before finding out your dosages are far too low. I am on record as advocating a doctor's care but that's easy for me to say because I live in an area that has doctors and clinics that actually specialize in Transgender care and I have decent health insurance. I don't even think my endo (Dr Moser who I love) sees any non trans people, and after my deductible gets caught up (usually around April) the meds are just a copay and pretty much the least expensive part of this whole process. In my case I would be crazy to self medicate, but if I lived in Assholeastan like April, then I would have no problem doing some research and ordering my own juice.

[abigailf]

Lanell never said whether she was under care or not. It's amazing how these threads sprout wings.

However, my two cents:

Any change to your body should be monitored. Whether it is taking hormones or something as simply as going on a diet or changing your exersize routine. If self medicating, then you should get a benchmark blood test to see where your levels are before you start. Get periodic blood tests to make sure they don't change to drastically or too much.

Hormones may be a good thing, but too much of a good thing can be bad.

Doctors are not perfect, that's probably why they call it a practice. But they can share their experiences with other people with you. Use them for that if nothing else.

[LeaP]

I don't dislike doctors, nor did I suggest self-medicating. I did suggest the latter as a possibility, subject to being "informed," which I did not define.

What I did say was to not to take their advice uncritically. If you are getting hormones from a doctor who isn't an endocrinologist, you're essentially getting them from someone who is self-taught on the topic. I.e., you're essentially relying on their general medical training and exposure. Doctors spend an ENORMOUS amount of time within their specialties - and little to nothing on anything else. The honest ones freely admit their ignorance outside of their specialties.

April, on the consulting/compliance issue you mentioned in connection with pharmacies ... you should sit down with an auditor some day. It would rather unsettle your comfort on that point.

Lea

[Aprilrain]

April, on the consulting/compliance issue you mentioned in connection with pharmacies ... you should sit down with an auditor some day. It would rather unsettle your comfort on that point.

Lea

Huh? I have no idea what you are referring to

[DebbieL]

Many us have played with various "Natural Hormones" such as Phytoestrogens, Soy Isoflavones, and even animal parts, as well as progestorone cream.

The first and most important thing to be aware of, is that in order to get enough of these compounds to make any kind of difference, a combination would be required, and even then there is the risk of several health complications, the most significant of which is blood-clots that could cause a stroke. Kind of hard to be pretty when you can't move one side of your face, and your hands, arms, and legs don't work on that side either, or they barely work. Worse, you could be crippled for many years. Given enough hormones, even a 20 year old could get clots, and then live to 80 as a cripple.

Worse, if you do get clots, you have to stop everything, completely, and you start turning back into a boy again. Not pretty.

On the other hand, if you are already self-medicating and you tell your doctor, you may get "fast tracked" to hormones, rather than having to wait the full year of living Femme full-time before getting to start hormones.

Some things a doctor will look at are indicators like facial hair, body weight, and muscle tone. If you have a think dark beard shadow, even early in the day, it tells the doctor you haven't takes the serious steps that you CAN do even without a doctor's permission.

Some will tell you that none of these things work. Legally, nobody can tell you they work in the United States unless they have one FDA field trials. The products are sold as dietary supplements and are often sold as supplements for menopausal women. Many of these products won't learn alone. You need to suppress testosterone production, you need a combination of Isoflavones and phyto-estrogens, and you may need to use it for a fear or more to get visible results, and be at risk of blood clots the whole time.

On the other hand, if you talk to your doctor, she can get you started earlier on the right combination to get results in 6-9 months, as well as getting the therapy that will help you with the issues that come up during transition. Simply put, if the signals are all good, they will accelerate your transition, rather than leaving you at risk for the longer period.

[Aprilrain]

On the other hand, if you are already self-medicating and you tell your doctor, you may get "fast tracked" to hormones, rather than having to wait the full year of living Femme full-time before getting to start hormones.


the HBSOC do not recommend living full time for a year before prescribing hormones. They do recommend that a therapist have a relationship with a client for 3 months prior to writing a letter for HRT. many people if not most (at least in the USA) start HRT before going full time.

[Melody Moore]

Huh, here we are in a transsexual forum discussing real hormone therapy, not some unproven natural alternatives.

Obviously the OP wants real hormones, not some "make me believe I am a woman" crap! I have no issue with sourcing
your hormones from overseas and some of my local girls buy injectable oestrogen from reputable online pharmacies, but
they have an authority from their doctors which enables them to legally import them into Australia. Importing prescription
meds without authority into most countries, INCLUDING the US, UK, Australia, Canada is illegal and you really should be
checking your importation laws & policies before proceeding or you might just end up in jail, especially if you are importing
hormones such as testosterone which is one of the worlds most powerful steroids. So this is not a joke!

Oh and yeah, I make no bones of the fact I do have issue with natural hormone alternatives,
most who have used them will tell you they are a waste of money and they are also a real risk.
There is absolutely no reliable peer reviewed evidence to support their claims. In fact testing
on some of these products tested in Asia, have proven the claims false when tested in the US.

I would recommend reading these two posts:

http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?163109-Flat-to-Fem-program&p=2657027&viewfull=1#post2657027


An herbal remedy for menopause symptoms marketed in Japan failed to show benefits among American women, according to a recent study published in the journal Menopause.

The pill, known as TU-025, combines cinnamon bark, peach pits and several other botanicals, and is regulated as a prescription drug in Japan. It is commonly used by Japanese gynecologists to treat hot flashes in menopausal women. The drug’s maker, Tokyo-based Tsumura & Company, helped fund a study to see if the benefits would also be seen in American women. The consensus was that if it proved beneficial, the herb could offer a safer alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

For years, it was widely publicized that HRT not only curbed menopausal symptoms but also helped protect women against heart disease and osteoporosis. A study conducted in 2002 found that instead of improving the quality of women’s lives, it was actually putting them at great risk for developing breast cancer. As more and more women are looking for safer alternatives to HRT, the herb-based TU-025 became an attractive notion.

To determine the effectiveness of TU-025, researchers randomly assigned 178 postmenopausal women to take either the herbal pills or a placebo every day for three months. At the end of the study, researchers found that women who took the herb experienced fewer hot flashes, sleep problems and other symptoms associated with menopause.

However, women who took the placebo reported similar improvements. Thus, the “miracle drug” TU-025 will not be marketed in the United States.Source: http://www.hrt-legal.com/news/2011/0...d-fda-approval (http://www.hrt-legal.com/news/2011/07/26/herbal-alternative-to-hrt-denied-fda-approval)
Also see: The Herbal Minefield - http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/herbs.html (http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/herbs.html)

Also read the links I posted here:
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?163109-Flat-to-Fem-program&p=2657906&viewfull=1#post2657906

[arbon]

but if I lived in Assholeastan like April, then I would have no problem doing some research and ordering my own juice.

Oh, I did not know April lived in Idaho to!

Good luck finding and Endo around here. You are pretty much on your own, or hoping you can find a willing and teachable GP, or doing a lot of traveling.

[Melody Moore]

Another thing - unsupervised hormone therapy means you have no idea of your testosterone production has successfully
be stopped. Even though you may lose erections, stop ejaculating etc, it does not mean that your pituitary gland has
successfully been suppressed, and therefore you won't get the best out of HRT unless it has been properly suppressed.
And if you think you need to take more anti-androgens & hormones to suppress it, that is when things get very dangerous
& this is why hormone therapy should always be monitored and supervised. Don't believe me? then please ask a doctor.

[arbon]

Don't believe me? then please ask a doctor.

I did! My doctor said she did not need to test my hormone levels because it does not tell her anything anyway. She felt my breast and said what I am doing seems to be working and so to keep doing that. I'm looking for another doctor.

For once, I hate to say this, I swore I would never says this, but I actually agree with what Kate said earlier in this thread.

[suzy1]

This thread is frightening. I can’t believe what I am reading.

Melody, do you ever feel you are hitting your head against a brick wall!
But don’t give up trying.

If you are ill and drugs from your doctor will help you then that makes a lot of sense. But this!

[Melody Moore]

If a doctor squeezed my breast like a bit of fruit to see how ripe it was then I would certainly be looking for
another doctor as well. There is information that can be garnished from blood work that can help a doctor to
determine if the pituitary gland is properly suppressed. Without proper supervision anything else is 'hit & miss'
guess work, with no accurate way to know if you are in the safest ranges & getting the best result.

Now I know some of you worry about quacks out there to exploit you for every cent they can get, and I have
had my fair share of dealing with them in the past. However I have a very good team of doctors now taking
care of my health and fortunately I don't have to pay a single cent for it. In fact my regular GP owns a cosmetic
surgery clinic and does all my laser work for free and without any sort of payment whatsoever because he does
genuinely care about me. How many GPs do you ever find like that who will always go the extra mile for you eh?

So my point is not all doctors are bad, and you often have to go through a few before you finally find a good doctor.

There are health risks for some people even on the standard dosages which is something that Kate completely overlooks,
there are possible risks for some people with blood pressure issues and also hormonal issues. There are quite a few of us
here with irregularities with hormone levels and there are more intersex members here than others realise. Most are aware
but I think there are a few who have never been tested. I also have another local friend who has been tested and found
also to be intersex and she had to be put on a lower dosage of oestrogen because her body is naturally producing a higher
amount of Oestrogen. My body has been in conflict for many years with sporadic oestrogen/testosterone surges. Oestrogen
is good for me, whereas the androgens, especially cortisone become toxic to me and this is where an endocrinologist does
come into their own. My endo has had a really hard job to get my hormones properly stabilised. I don't think that you should
use any other doctor really for HRT because it takes someone with proper training who knows how to manage your endocrine
system safely and effectively.

If Kate wants to play Russian Roulette with her life then good luck to her. I am a smoker, I know its bad for
me, and that is why I have been trying very hard to quit. Going from a 50 cigarettes a day down to about 10
cigarettes a day has been a pretty tough feat for me so far, but that is where I am now at. However I WILL
be giving up smoking well before I go for my GRS. I have a plan on quitting smoking all together real soon :)

I am sure others are aware that smoking is bad, but why take chances when you are at the most amount of risk?
I think it you are a smoker, then all the more reason why you should be properly supervised and monitored in HRT.

[LeaP]

Huh? I have no idea what you are referring to

Short version: there are tons of compliance violations regarding the writing of prescriptions. Ditto HIIPA, standards of care, professional ethics, hospital rules, billing and insurance rules, and any other topic you care to name.

Look, physicians are no different than anyone else. There are those that are stellar, wonderful, and knowledgeable, and others that are knuckleheads and criminal. And everything between. It's in the general culture to revere the profession and the practictioners, thought that's receded a bit in the US. The result is people overly defer, suspend their judgement, and put themselves at risk. You might think it's easy to detect the lesser lights in the profession. You would be wrong. It's well-masked by a trained manner and being run through the typical practice process, polished by running thousands of patients through.

Trust people who actually know more than you do. Query them to find out if, in fact, they do. I have personally never run into a specialist who did NOT know more than I do. A lot more, in fact. (though I might move on for other reasons) I *invariably* find I know more than a non-specialist, however, when I've done my homework. Anyone who goes on a hormone regimen under the supervision of the latter type is asking for trouble, in my opinion.

Lea (wife was a surgical practice administrator)

[Aprilrain]

Short version: there are tons of compliance violations regarding the writing of prescriptions. Ditto HIIPA, standards of care, professional ethics, hospital rules, billing and insurance rules, and any other topic you care to name.

Look, physicians are no different than anyone else. There are those that are stellar, wonderful, and knowledgeable, and others that are knuckleheads and criminal. And everything between. It's in the general culture to revere the profession and the practictioners, thought that's receded a bit in the US. The result is people overly defer, suspend their judgement, and put themselves at risk. You might think it's easy to detect the lesser lights in the profession. You would be wrong. It's well-masked by a trained manner and being run through the typical practice process, polished by running thousands of patients through.

Trust people who actually know more than you do. Query them to find out if, in fact, they do. I have personally never run into a specialist who did NOT know more than I do. A lot more, in fact. (though I might move on for other reasons) I *invariably* find I know more than a non-specialist, however, when I've done my homework. Anyone who goes on a hormone regimen under the supervision of the latter type is asking for trouble, in my opinion.

Lea (wife was a surgical practice administrator)

im still not sure what this has to do with what i wrote?

[Jennifer Marie P.]

Congrats and be very careful use only your doctor precribes and hope you have a great transition.

[melissaK]

What a lively thread . . . You all are my fav girl group!!

Did anyone tell Lanel HRT is sorta like addicting? I mean I feel soooo much better on HRT, and in my efforts to test what works best for me, I found going off them is the worst. So Lanel, IMHO, be sure to see an MD or endo or your fav website or whatever, well in advance of running out . . . running out feels bad.

Hugs,
'lissa

[arbon]

Smoking is bad? Talk about taking risks with your health care! Heart disease, cancer, strokes, emphysema - pretty much guaranteed if used as directed long enough! And you don't need a doctors supervision or prescription for that do you?


Some of us don't have access to good health care (happy you have such a great medical team taking care of you Melody, hopefully they preach to you about the dangers of smoking as much as you do to some of us here about the dangers of HRT!) and so we choose to do HRT on our own or with limited medical supervision. It is the choice that we as adults can make!

[Aprilrain]

I am a smoker, I know its bad for me

Well there you go, we are all adults here and can decide for ourselves what we want to do to our bodies. That being said I did wait until I had a letter from my therapist before moving forward (I don't know it just made me feel better knowing I had the letter) I knew I was going to see a Dr. eventually I just had to wait 6 months for an appointment. Im glad I didn't wait to start HRT, I had blood work done before I started, about 3 months into it, and again once I finally saw the Endo. I'm fairly young and have always been healthy so to me it was a risk worth taking. The potential risks associated with HRT were less lethal than a bullet hole im my head.

[Badtranny]

For once, I hate to say this, I swore I would never says this, but I actually agree with what Kate said earlier in this thread.

You're funny. There's really no one I agree with or disagree with EVERY time they say something, but there are certainly people who cause me to re-think my position if I find they agree with me. ;-)

[LeaP]

im still not sure what this has to do with what i wrote?

April, I APOLOGIZE! I misattributed you.

What I was actually responding to was from Jody:

"At the very least your local general practice doctor is forced by law to consult to an endocrinologist before a pharmacy will even fill the prescription. (In most US states.)"

Lea

[lanell]

Wow!!!! let me first thank the members that shared support and advice to my post.
But wow I didnt expect a cat fight.. I was excited about this and even though I respect the opinions of
some of the more aggressive opinions, I have to say it is already scary and now I am not sure I want to go through this.
I am 43 and in great health and do not smoke.
I can say I never wanted anything so bad since I was 13 and denied myself the right of becoming who I want.
and being in denial and getting married and having kids just prolonged my dream.
What can I say.
This is a scary reality for me and how it will effect others in mylife

[Jorja]

Actually it is simple, lanell. Make your decision. Do you or don't you want to take HRT? If you answer yes, go have the blood work done to establish a baseline. Every 3 to 6 months do the blood work again and compare to the baseline. As with most matters of health, one should consult with a physician and learn first hand what the pros and cons are and go from there.

Do not pay any attention to the squabbling. It is just sisters fighting among themselves just like a real family ;).

[TeresaT]

Greetings to everyone, I'm an occasional 'lurker' but I wanted to chime in on this topic.
I'm certainly not an expert by any means but I've been around the block a few times and have my own experience with self-medicating to share, for whatever it's worth.
My journey began way back when, in the late 1980's. After having my first session with my former therapist, I was referred to an endo and began taking prescription hormones. I had previously self-medicated for some time, maybe a year or so.
Fast forward about 15 years, I begin HRT once again, this time from a different endo much closer to where I lived. As many of you can relate, the services of a qualified endo are costly and I simply couldn't afford the appointments and so on and I began self-medicating. Again. This went on until sometime in 2008 when I started seeing a wonderful therapist and a nearby endocrinologist.
I had the usual blood work and when the lab results came in, he phoned me immediately. Apparently my levels were 10 times the 'norm' at over 1,700... In his words, my levels were 'dangerously' high. This was the result of my self-medicating, following what I felt were acceptable dosages. I know more is not better but still, I was way off and I'll be the first to admit that.
I was fortunate, or should I say lucky?
Don't self-medicate. Please don't, it's too risky. JMHO.

[Chickhe]

I would think the most scarry part about buying medicine from someone under the table is like buying a camera from someone who says they are located in the UK, but they actually live in Nigeria... Are you going to get something that is really what you ordered and what are you going to do if it isn't?

[abigailf]

...
I had the usual blood work and when the lab results came in, he phoned me immediately. Apparently my levels were 10 times the 'norm' at over 1,700... In his words, my levels were 'dangerously' high. ...

Just a comment about this. I see a medical doctor who specialized in HRT. She started me on injections and I self inject every two weeks. She said that because I am over 40 it would be less strain on my organs than taking them orally. I don't really know the what's and why for's behind that but okay.

She started me on a low dose. After my first 5 doses (ten weeks) I got a blood test and I my reading was 2800. So she had me skip a dose and knock down the amount. I haven't gone 5 doses yet with the new amount yet, so no other results.

My point is, doctors don't necessarily know by looking at you. You need to consistently monitor your levels. It is not unlike machinery or a car. When readings tell you fluids are low, you refill them. Same goes for the human body, it is a machine after all.

Whether you use a doctor or do it on your own, keep monitoring yourself.

[Aprilrain]

Ok you're making me get all geeky here people!

a couple of people have thrown out some numbers but with out units which is kinda like saying "the table is 100" 100 what? 100 inches?, 100 LBS?, $100?, 100 years old? you get my point.

MY test results are always in pg/ml (picograms per milliliter)
but some people on this forum have reported their blood concentrations of hormones in nmol/L (nano-moles per Liter)

so if we take 1700 and assume its nmol/l and convert it to pg/ml it would be 463.085
conversely if we assume 1700 is pg/ml then it would convert to 6240.7 nmol/l

These numbers are radicaly different from each other yet they mean the same thing just in different units.
K i'll take my glasses back off now!

[JulieK1980]

April, I APOLOGIZE! I misattributed you.

What I was actually responding to was from Jody:

"At the very least your local general practice doctor is forced by law to consult to an endocrinologist before a pharmacy will even fill the prescription. (In most US states.)"

Lea

I was wondering if that was the case, but wanted to wait to post till I was sure. Having worked in Healthcare the last 10 years I know exactly where you were coming from. It's frightening, and a good argument for searching out the right doctor and not just the first one you see.

[TeresaT]

@Aprilrain - You're bringing back memories of Chemistry class! I understand what you mean, mine is also in pg/ml,
DHEA-Sulfate Estradiol, 1738 pg/ml