[AnnieBL]

Just a minimal update, since I am still on PM and also have always regarded bio-identical estradiol as also being essentially 'natural'. I do seem to have achieved some further breast growth and am not far off filling a 42B bra. Furthermore, I firmly believe that the PM is responsible for my latest hormone level tests continuing to show that my testosterone, FSH and LH levels all being not only low but too low to measure. The same effect has been reported by some others who have continued using PM alongside prescription HRT. I'm sure it helps make my still low (2mg) dose of estradiol more effective. The test showed a level of 363 pmol/L.

An update and perhaps a warning.

Despite my fasting blood sugar and A1C levels being near ideal levels, I have continued to suffer from peripheral neuropathy, recently in the form of painfully 'burning' feet, together with extremely dry and cracking skin on my lower legs and hands. On the basis of my own observations and posts by others, it seems likely to me that PM acts on the pituitary gland to suppress its production of T, FSH and LH so that if T production by one's testicles has already been completely shut down, there is a total absence of T, etc which is not a good thing and probably responsible for the 'burning' feet. I therefore stopped taking PM ten days ago and things seem to be getting better. I have been prescribed venlafaxine to help with the pain, but the dosage has to be worked up slowly and is probably not high enough yet to have much effect. As an antidepressant I'm hoping that it will compensate for the loss of the anxiolytic effect of the PM.

On a brighter note, I got my new driver's license yesterday with my name and gender marker changed, so now at least I have an official document that says I am female.