[Marcy]

DD's, Johnny, iaboy - Thanks for your encouragement. It means alot as we navigate these waters often alone. Knowing that there are others who understand and support the journey we're all on is a huge help. Much gratitude

I thought I'd finally share my test results. I had a test in April and a followup in July. The results are interesting to me and hopefully can help add to the information that is accumulating here to support the thesis that breast development is possible with NBE techniques and programs. I know I'm getting breast development as they fill up my hands nicely now

Test - April - July - normal range
Estradiol - 17.0 pg/ml - 9.3 pg/ml - 7.6-42.6
Estrone (E1) - 13.1 pg/ml - 16.5 pg/ml - <60
DHEA 200.8 ug/dl - 182.5 ug/dl - 44-331
T - Total 524 ng/dl - 475 ng/dl - 280-1100
T - Free <2.51 ng/dl - 2.29 ng/dl - 1.6-22
SHBG >200 nmol/L - > 200 nmol/L - 10-80
IGF-1 70.4 ng/ml - 69.9 ng/ml - 110-238
Progesterone 0.65 ng/ml - .40 ng/ml - 0.2-1.4
DHT - 35.8 ng/dl - No retest?? 11.2-95.5
T3, Free 2.9 pg/ml - 3.6 pg/ml - 1.8-4.6
T4, Free 1.08 ng/ml - 1.00 ng/ml - 0.9-1.7
TSH 5.120 ulU/ml - 2.65 ulU/ml - 0.27-4.2

Normal ranges are the ones given by my lab.

What does it all mean. To me, in general it means I'm in good health, that my liver is not being overtaxed and that I've got some female energy flowing and the male energy somewhat under control. My total T is mid-range meaning I'm still producing it but it's not available (see free T). The SHBG is very high meaning that the Total T IS bound up and apparently being converted to E (I think). The change in the TSH into normal levels is through a simple thyroid pill I take daily. My doc was very interested in getting that to level out so I'm happy to see that in range.

I guess the big question I'm left with is do I want to add a synthetic Testosterone blocker or continue with my herbal mix in this department. I do like the occasional role in the hay with the Mrs. (and so does she) so I don't want to eliminate that at this point in my transition. Still, I'm tempted to see what happens when adding a synthetic T blocker.

Another thing that surprises me is the amount of breast growth I've had with my E levels at relatively low numbers. At least, that's the way I read these results. The E is not really very high at all and yet I've had substantial breast growth in just 8 months. I thank Lotus and others here who have contributed their time and knowledge to the task of putting the information together for those of us on the MTF journey. Thank you!

I'm open to thoughts and questions. I will say that I feel a LOT better being on this journey with lab results and regular medical advice. I'm gong to always do my own research but without this level of detail, I'd be flying blind and I don't like that feeling. At least this way, I know I'm not blowing out my liver and have a chance to get my thyroid levels to balance.

I'm looking for some feedback on the elevated SHBG if anyone has any good information on that. I'm thinking it's coming from the GTE and White Peony. Not sure though.

That's it for now. I'm off to see the doc today and will update if I get any good new information. Hope this is helpful to at least one other person on this journey! Best - Marcy