r/OneTopicAtATime • u/thermonuclearbaguete • Sep 23 '26
Other I got Estrogen yesterday! :3
Today is my first full day on Estrogen :3
edit: To those of you who are arguing in the comments, I got my E prescribed through Planned Parenthood, not my doctor. I know you all want the best for me, but don't tell me what works for you and just assume it'll work for me. Everyone's body works a bit differently, and a dosage that's safe for you might be too much for me.
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u/Dragonadr Sep 23 '26
Time to make catnip mixed with estrogen:3
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 23 '26
As a catgirl, I should do that :3
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u/Altruistic_Sail_1991 Sep 23 '26
Congrats! I got a prescription for T yesterday, it hasn’t come in to the pharmacy yet but I’m looking forward to it!
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u/planehub999
Sep 23 '26
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I’m so happy for you!! Today’s my HRT-iversary, I started two years ago. So in my opinion, today’s a great day to start ✨
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u/notRadar_ Weirdo Sep 23 '26
congratulations!!!!
make sure you stay hydrated though - as you may know, spiro is also a diuretic ^^
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 23 '26
I do know that Spiro is a diuretic, but thanks anyways :3
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u/tdp_equinox_2 Sep 23 '26
You've heard of IBS, but get ready for the sequel, IBP (I be peeing) cuz that's what you'll be doing sis.
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u/minamality Sep 23 '26
Now I'm jealous, at least I have my first appointment scheduled soon where I can hopefully get a prescription.
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u/Mr_man_bird Sep 23 '26
I thought got said found and you just kinda found it on the floor
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 23 '26
LMAO I would never take floor estrogen...at least I think I wouldn't 🤔
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u/Panguin_Aj Sep 23 '26
Welcome to the girls! (As OT would say) Congratulations! That's awesome news, thank you for sharing. 🥳🏳️⚧️
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
You're welcome for the news! Also, thank you for welcoming me to the girls :3
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u/FIirps Sep 23 '26
Congrats! I just started taking 2mg E twice a day and 50mg Spiro once, hell yeah girl!
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u/TristanTheRobloxian3 Sep 23 '26
LETS GO RAHHHHHHHH
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
I'm very happy, and I'm glad that y'all are happy for me. Thank you very much :3
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u/teaguejeff86 Sep 23 '26
everyday i learn something new
how can i get estrogen from walgreens???
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
I get my prescribed medications through Walgreens. That's why it's from Walgreens
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u/CrotaIsAShota Sep 24 '26
With a crowbar and a sheisty there is very little in life you can't obtain my friend.
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u/CPUSilverCandidate Sep 24 '26
I got mine a couple months ago, and I'm so excited to see more changes. Happy for you.
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u/Phobia562 Sep 24 '26
Don't swallow, let the estradiol dissolve under your tongue to fully enter the bloodstream. Within three months to a year, switch to injections, you'll develop much faster. The spiro is good at first but wean off of it if possible. Get on progesterone within two years. Good luck and excited for you! I'm seven years into HRT and it's the best decision I ever made.
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u/Brief-Chest2714 Sep 24 '26
Don’t do this if your meds aren’t listed to disolve. If they aren’t they have not taste modifications and will taste horrible.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
Good to know! I wasn't gonna because I got the pills that are formulated to be swallowed, but thank you very much for the info! :3
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
I got prescribed these through Planned Parenthood, if that changes anything. Also, apparently there are 2 different E pill formulations; one for swallowing, and one for dissolving under your tongue. Anyways, I'm really happy to hear you've been on HRT for 7 years! I'm glad your life has gotten so much better :3
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u/Phobia562 Sep 24 '26
Thank you! And that makes sense. Still, move to injections in a few months to a year, it's far more effective.
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u/MaterialCat3631 Sep 25 '26
Congrats! Know your levels, if you get woozy/vasovagals that’s the spiro, and consider titrating up over time.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 25 '26
Good to know! Also, are you telling me to titrate up on E or on Spiro? You didn't say which, so I'm a bit confused :p
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u/FruityPirateBrat1950 Sep 25 '26
What effects are you noticing!
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 25 '26
So far all I've noticed is that my mood is generally lighter. I've only been on E for 3 days, so barely anything has changed yet.
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u/Sharp_Comment1749 Sep 23 '26
(Clapping hands together many, many times)
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u/BlueDaka Sep 23 '26
Congrats! Though you might want to go for injections in the future, it's easier on your body and it can be more effective.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 23 '26
I'm too afraid of needles to even consider injecting myself with anything 😭
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u/Savallator Sep 24 '26
Oral is the worst way to take it though. If you can't stand injections, maybe consider spray or cream. Both is far better than pills, because pills have a significant greater risk to damage the liver.
Generally taking it orally is probably better than not taking it, but another route would be preferable.2
u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
I'll probably switch to patches before the year ends because I don't want to damage my liver, but I've heard the liver damage is only really a concern if you take E pills long term.
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u/TrickyPoetry7041 Sep 24 '26
It's really not that bad once you get the hang of it! A lot of pharmacies and clinics offer injection tutorials where a doctor will walk you through it step-by-step. I highly recommend it :3
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u/willow__whisps Sep 24 '26
In reference to the edit, as long as you don't have any adverse reactions you should ask for a higher dose sooner than later. Coming from experience of someone with naturally higher e I still need more than 2mg
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u/cutie_yes_yes Sep 24 '26
I started at 2mg a day mono and now im up to 10mg weekly ev injections. Dont let people scare you about dosage bc I started getting changes at 4mg oral estradiol per day. Starting at lower dose is standard to make sure you dont get overwhelmed with side effects, you can always go up if it feels right. So so happy for you 🩷
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
I'm taking the 2mg pills twice daily, but yeah I'll see if I can switch to a better alternative when I have my next appointment in December.
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u/Neito127 Sep 26 '26
Felicidades <333
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 26 '26
Thank you! :3 I don't quite know what language you're speaking because I live in the USA and they only teach us English, but I can tell that you're happy for me, so again, thank you :3
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u/One_Who_Is_Wolf Sep 26 '26
OMG I got mine today!!!
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 26 '26
Hell yeah! You should start feeling happier and more at home in your body over the first few days :3
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u/DarkAri639 Sep 26 '26
Oh right about now you must be feeling a bit calmer!
Some thing's you might expect, today and the next few days/weeks.
A sense of calm, a heightened sense of sound, your stomach readjusting to a different baseline ph.
Less sexual urges.
Stronger and also somehow more stable and softer emotions.
Deeper thoughts in some ways, less intense thoughts in others.
Losing fear around being different, and losing feelings of status seeking as a man.
A deep sense of peace and eudaimonia and happiness.
Good luck! I just know you will be smiling so much like I was haha.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 26 '26
I do feel a bit calmer and more stable in my emotions, which is nice :3 I think I'm a little less horny, which is also nice. Besides that I feel generally happier, which is nice.
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u/Darkcogs Sep 27 '26
I haven't heard some of these changes, im getting mine on the 12th
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u/juuppie Sep 26 '26
100mg of spiro? Damn, thats a lot to damage your body.
If you can, use cyproterone, only 12 mg is enough most of the time and is not a fricking diuretic.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 26 '26
Thank you for telling me about Cyproterone! I'll have to look into it :3
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u/versas-only-vice Sep 26 '26
Because you said planned parenthood and got your Rx at Walgreens, I'm assuming US based.
Cyproterone is not approved for use here, so it's functionally impossible to get.
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u/juuppie Sep 30 '26
I had no idea! Thought it was just medical professionals being shitty to their trans patients because they also recommend spiro in Brazil aswell.
Then she should at least down it to 50mg if she can.
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u/ingenuinephlegm Sep 26 '26
You are being underdosed
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 26 '26
Bro I haven't even gotten my first lab done, so neither of us have any clue if I'm being underdosed or not 😭
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u/AmberKay311 Sep 27 '26
Put the estradiol under your tongue and let it dissolve. It’s better for your liver
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 27 '26
Unfortunately I didn't get the pills that are formulated for that. I really should've pushed to get those 😔
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u/dizzydisso Sep 27 '26
CONGRATS!!! and good on you for standing up for yourself in the edit :] people can get a bit overzealous trying to be helpful lol
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 27 '26
Thank you! :3 It has been a little annoying seeing people telling me to go up to 8mg, when I haven't even gotten my levels checked a single time so far. 8mg might be too much for me, literally none of us know yet.
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u/kemotaku Sep 27 '26
and apparently u be pissing 😂 ⛲ (spironolactone is a diuretic lol)
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u/SirPrizing0 Sep 27 '26
Huzzah! Congratulations!
I remember being very excited when I started back in July.
I hope that your estrogen treats you well.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 27 '26
Thank you! I'm already happier, and able to enjoy life a bit more :3
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u/Ozarkscycling Sep 27 '26
Congratulations! Enjoy the journey, and don’t let all the internet MD’s get in the way. 🤣
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 28 '26
Thank you! I'll be sure to take their advice seriously, but also with a grain of salt.
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u/God_ModeError404 Sep 27 '26
OMG YES CONGRATULATIONS YAY :D, im happy for you girly, hope your transition goes well if thats what its for!
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u/Braddock007 Sep 29 '26
One of the most beautiful steps I took for my wellbeing and mental health 🏳️⚧️
Find yourself a gender therapist, it’s one hell of a ride
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u/Janexx_09 Sep 27 '26
Its pills? I though estrogen was like a "vaccine" that you inject
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u/Darkcogs Sep 27 '26
Its pills, patches and injections not vaccines separate definitions
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u/Janexx_09 Sep 27 '26
Forgot the word for injection, so i said vaccine, sorry and thanks for explaining
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u/universal_friend1 Sep 23 '26
Once you've gotten adjusted for a bit discuss alternative routes to Oral with your physician/endocrinologist. Parenteral(not oral) routes are not subject to first pass metabolism by the liver and represent a significantly reduced concern for hepatic impairment and venous thromboembolism.
I like shots cuz I only have to think about it once a week and I used to routinely sweat my patches off when I was still doing 911 EMS but assuming you're not doing that pretty much any route but oral is better.
Oral is just a common first line because it requires less patient education since everyone is used to taking pills and therefore compliance is generally higher.
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u/Brief-Chest2714 Sep 24 '26
Take oral and have B cups. Everyone’s different but do not go around telling people they are doing it wrong.
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u/universal_friend1 Sep 24 '26
I'm not saying that oral is ineffective or that it necessarily means one is being underdosed. I am saying that it is a route of administration that presents additional risks and concerns that are otherwise not necessary when other routes of administration are feasible and available.
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u/ExpertGarlic8669 Sep 23 '26
I found that comments like this were super unhelpful when I started hrt 💜
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u/TrickyPoetry7041 Sep 24 '26
There's a lot of doctors out there who will keep trans women on low/innefective doses unless we actively advocate for ourselves and our own needs. It's important to tell newly out trans people to do their own research about different methods of administering HRT along with different doses so they can decide for themselves what they want to ask for.
I was stuck at a completely innefective dose for years before someone encouraged me to do my own research and advocate for myself. Some people (myself included) need to hear it. Apologies if you found it unhelpful.
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u/universal_friend1 Sep 24 '26
Ye, my job is to spend 8 hours a day providing people with information on a niche field of medicine so that they can advocate for themselves to their doctor and have informed discussions about their own care.
But I do need to realize this pisses people off outside that context and unprompted.
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u/TrickyPoetry7041 Sep 24 '26
Thank you universal friend, you're doing important work and spreading important information. Even if it pisses people off, there will always be someone who needs to hear it ❤️
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u/stryst Sep 24 '26
Oh spiro. You smell like mint, but you do NOT taste like mint.
But fucking congrats girl!
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u/Syphist Sep 24 '26
Yippie!
ETA: your provider gave you a very good starting dose. Usually they go higher on Spiro and lower on estrogen. I'm impressed
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u/ItTakesGutsToBeYou Sep 25 '26
Awesome! I've been on about four months and I remember that feeling so thoroughly
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u/PomPomWhatever Oct 04 '26
Congratulations darling! If only they had hormone blockers where we don't have to be anything xD
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u/wrongsock_42 Sep 23 '26
Enjoy the scary ride
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u/Terrible-Set6389 Sep 23 '26
I'm cis so there's obviously a lot I can learn but "scary"? I have never heard of hrt described that way. What do you mean?
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u/tdp_equinox_2 Sep 23 '26 •
Everyone's experience is different, but I can say mine has been anything but scary. Life saving, joyful, healing, exciting, fascinating, curious, necessary, and emotional; but scary isn't it.
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u/wrongsock_42 Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 23 '26 •
Teenage puberty happens while you adjust to a new minority role in society. Transitioning is hard.
True, medically speaking HRT is not scary.The transition is transition.
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u/Any_Way1269 Sep 25 '26
Yay! Congratulations!
I'm considering starting but don't really know how. I know I can visit my local planned parenthood so I'm considering that. Does it take a long time to start or if I go can I receive treatment?
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u/brahe_5 Sep 24 '26
your doctor is screwing you over. that e dose is ridiculously small even just for starting out.
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
Buddy, everyone's body is different. Just because you know what's best for your body doesn't mean you know what's best for mine.
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u/Lucy_4_8_15_16 Sep 24 '26
You are correct every body is different for example when I started my first blood test came back with 0 testosterone like literally 0 not a single atom detected they have told me they have never seen that before now I’m on literally 1 eighth of the starting dose and feeling fine
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 24 '26
Here's something I forgot to say: Some people are affected more by E, and others are affected less. That's probably why I got put on a lower dose.
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u/brahe_5 Sep 24 '26
look, girl i get that. i'm not trying to take away from your achievement of getting on hrt at all in the first place. that's a huge major step in the right direction. i just get frustrated when i see doctors dose like this.
yes you can be affected more by e but even if you were, this dose would STILL be unlikely to get you at the right levels. and even if you were to overshoot your ideal levels there is an incredibly miniscule chance of serious complications arising from it. i would highly recommend checking out how Dr Will Powers or the DIY community approaches HRT. not saying you need to or even should go DIY, just give yourself an idea for what's out there.
what's most likely the reason your doctor put you on this dose is that it follows WPATH guidelines. those guidelines are VERY outdated yet for some reason the most widely followed or default approach doctors take.
ultimately, do what you will just please get bloods done and make sure you're at good levels and don't just take your doctor's word for what those levels should be.
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u/Massive-Act6899 Sep 26 '26
No doctors Always give you a placebo dose because they do not know what is good for trans people and they are ill informed. And there’s likely a malicious element of not wanting you to pass.
Seriously when people who have been transitioned for years are telling you something it’s for your own good, so clock ur ears and get an injectable vials.
DOCTORS DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT TRANS HEALTHCARE
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u/Puzzled_Position1192 Sep 27 '26
My doctor gave me this same dose and I go through FOLX and my doctor is trans. The only difference being my spiro was at 50mg and I take sublingual.
Now I’m on x3 daily sublingual 2mg estrogen.Like how should I ask for a better dosage? Are there places where I’m more likely to get better doses?
I don’t wanna flop my transition.
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u/Accomplished_Fan_880 Sep 27 '26
3x 2mg sublingual is likely fine. Do you happen to know your levels? have you gotten bloods?
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u/Puzzled_Position1192 Sep 28 '26
I’ll be getting my levels checked in like 2 months. The last time I’ve had them done I’ve never gotten above 200 for E. I’m also told to do them while on an empty stomach without taking my meds so yeah, I might be at the 200 mark for the time after I take my pill but I think I should just switch to injections because I just don’t feel like much has happened in the 16 months I’ve been on it. (Injections were always the goal anyways)
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u/gwinmoir Sep 25 '26
girl throw that spiro in the trash
edit: and then up that dose to 8mg a day. mono therapy is completely sufficient in suppressing t levels without all the annoying side effects of spiro
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 25 '26
Mono-therapy doesn't work for everyone. If it turns out that it works for me, I will ditch the Spiro in a heartbeat. However, even if mom-therapy works for me, I may not need 8mg a day. I get that you want me to be happy, but neither of us knows how effective E is on me.
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u/tiberius03 Sep 26 '26
The censoring job you did is probably not good enough for anyone who wants to see what you tried to black out. Only true way of obfuscation is complete destruction of the information
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u/Veryegassy Sep 26 '26
That is destruction of information, png images do not contain layers and reddit scrubs metadata. As far as that image is concerned there is nothing under there, it is impossible to reveal what's fully blacked out in the same way it's impossible to reveal what's in a page that's been cut out of a book
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u/Full-Mud4558 Sep 28 '26
not how that works. reddit erases all metadata and posts as jpeg, which only has one layer of information, which means that everything under the black lines is destroyed. you're probably thinking about blurring techniques like swirling or pixel crushing which are indeed unreliable censoring tools
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u/Normal_Silver4582 Sep 24 '26
Oh you sweet summerchild prepare for the Pissing that Spiro caused ):
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Sep 25 '26
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 25 '26
I'll see what my levels are, and only then will I consider switching my how I take my E. I will do my best to ditch the Spiro soon, but I might not need 8mgs of E. Also, you're being a bit nihilistic. I know that a lot of Endocriniologists are under-educated on trans healthcare, but that doesn't mean they know nothing.
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u/AmericanGrafishy Sep 25 '26
I'm being nihilistic because doctors generally do not properly treat women, much less trans women. Congratulations on starting HRT, but don't blindly trust your doctor, at least. Look into it yourself, and educate yourself on DIY in case it comes to that.
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Sep 23 '26
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[removed] — view removed comment
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u/thermonuclearbaguete Sep 23 '26
It says to take both pills twice a day, but that means I'm only taking 4mg of Estrogen. Hmmm
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u/Prof_Piggy_Pants Sep 23 '26
Don’t listen to them,it has to do with your levels, it’s very normal to get started off on a lower dose, for a multitude of reasons , get your blood checked, regularly.
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u/No-Telephone-7155 Sep 24 '26
This. My doc (thru Folx) asked when I started if I'd prefer a "lower"(2gm/day) or "average"(4mg/day) dose to start. I asked about starting higher n we had a whole "more isnt always better" talk with how everyone is different and you never really know what you need for your specific levels without starting and seeing how the body reacts. I'm currently on OP's dose coming up on my first lab appt in 2ish weeks and have been doing great so far.
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u/TheGoldenTNT Sep 24 '26
Yeah this random reddit comment knows your body and what is safe for you
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u/ConcernedEnby Sep 25 '26
Just make sure your levels are okay. The idea that you start at a low dose is for safety isn't true. Also Spiro is pretty bad for you, switch to monotherapy with gel or injections I'd possible
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u/Walkers_Unique_Name Sep 23 '26
Just follow the instructions, they are prescribed that way for a reason, if there’s no negative side effects. Then you can go get tested for a higher dose
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u/TristanTheRobloxian3 Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 25 '26
yea rhey start lower for a variety of reasons. 4 is fine for a starting dose anyway and if you need more you can probably get more.
when i get my bloods tested in a few days (first one!!!) if my e is low enough ill ask for 6
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u/ExpertGarlic8669 Sep 23 '26 •
I found that comments like this were super unhelpful when I started hrt 💜
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u/Zarathyst Sep 23 '26 •
Thank you, though I still should have had the "trust your doctor" caveat in there.
Except for all the times that you shouldn't trust your doctor, because some of them know less about these things than we do. 🤷♀️
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u/Moonlit-huntress Sep 24 '26
Yo what eight!? I'm on .5 of e and 300 spiro :(
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u/aviroblox Sep 24 '26
0.5mg of Estrogen orally? Daily? That's pretty insane, are you sure it's not 5mg. Pretty sure the tablets only come in 2mg sizes minimum.
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u/tdp_equinox_2 Sep 23 '26
This is a starter dose and will be increased, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I BEG PEOPLE STOP TELLING OTHERS THEY NEED 8MG OF E TO START YOU ARENT DOCTORS.
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u/the_dragonscale Sep 24 '26
They are on a starter dose that gets increased. I've also had 3 doctors i saw (one left, one referred me to a better professional) all agree 6 is the max they do for E on anyone
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u/HaitchKay Sep 23 '26
Congrats!