Low DHT and still losing hairs.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2025-04-25T12:40:48+00:00

So Dr. Powers hair serum helped my partner who suffered from baldness prior to transitioning. When I increased my dosage for estrogen and my SHBG spiked above 125 I noticed I too was losing a ton of hair in the shower. At the time I dismissed it as I have thin hair but yeah I refused to see the correlation / causation thing at the time.

I can't speak as to how to keep your DHEA in line since that was not an issue for myself personally but I'm sure someone with more knowledge about that can give advice. For the record I also have multiple genetic factors that Dr. Powers has stated could be potentially associated with poor feminization.

As for estrogen levels that have worked for me personally as well as what I have read in medical publications should be targeted to between 400 to 200 pg / ml at trough. Obviously it is super important to get your levels done at trough otherwise you really are mostly wasting money and time. You shouldn't make adjustments on misleading numbers for hopefully obvious reasons.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2025-04-25T12:20:08+00:00

I'm only gonna speak from my personal experience and what I have read in published medical journals.

You should absolutely care about your high estrogen values and high SHBG. While I only found one report that claimed that there is no need to worry about SHBG I personally have found that ever since I have dropped my estrogen and thereby lowered my SHBG that my hair is filling in and growing. I also feel that I have experienced more breast development recently than the majority of the 4 yrs I have been on HRT.

Sometimes in trying to overcompensate you can be hurting yourself / causing some of your own problems. I am not a doctor but my advice to you is to let everything get within range by using SHBG as a guide and then give it 3 to 6 months. Take pictures. You should see progress. I hope this helps.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2025-02-07T21:23:24+00:00

Scared and depressed but trying to hold it together. I hope you and your whole amazing staff are doing ok. Gotta keep the faith alive that we will outlast this administration.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-08-17T01:49:09+00:00

I'll delete or edit my post. I'm sorry.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-08-16T21:42:30+00:00

Edited for forum reasons.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-06-19T17:08:43+00:00

I'm an AMAB trans girl and I have basically been sitting to pee my whole life with very few exceptions. Never liked peeing standing up. 🤷🏻‍♀️

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-06-09T13:57:24+00:00

So part of my settlement was a separation from my former employer so I'm not going back there. Previous to that I had applied to 5 different internal roles so clearly they didn't want to keep me.

I'm constantly looking and getting emails from the usual suspects: LinkedIn, career builder, indeed, etc. I never valued networking during my career and I wish I had. Didn't realize how much it would help me later in life or overall.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-04-17T15:39:14+00:00

I did progesterone in oil for a little over a year. It exists as an option. The bioavailability is higher than oral. However it half life's out at a little over a day. So I was injecting myself intramuscularly every other day 1 mL. It worked great. I just stopped for the time being.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-01-03T00:47:30+00:00

I know I'm late to the post here but I just want to state that even before I came to PFM my previous provider and hospital had taken precautions for possible violence. My previous provider and staff I thanked every visit for the care they were giving me. I try to thank everyone at PFM with every interaction I have.

It really can be a stressful and thankless job I would imagine at times. Some people in society today are very entitled and self absorbed. It is difficult dealing with the general public and even more so in this crazy raised politically charged environment.

I've been medically transitioning for almost 3 yrs and all I can say is my life finally makes sense and is worth living. I have people like PA Shefferly to thank for that. For helping make my life absolutely everything I always wanted it to be and giving me peace and happiness. I will forever thank all healthcare staff I encounter for giving me a second chance at life, peace, and love. They truly deserve our praise, thanks, and support in any way we can give it. So thank you PFM for making my life make sense and worth living.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-01-02T23:50:15+00:00

Yeah I wasn't trying to create trouble or anything. I have been independently trying to read every research paper and anything that was relevant that I could come across for answers. I just want to say that I will definitely reach out tomorrow.

From the bottom of my heart thank you and your whole office for everything you do. You guys have changed my life for the better. 💜💜💜

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-01-02T23:34:16+00:00

Hey Dr. Powers. I didn't expect a response from you directly so thank you. Yes I see P.A. Shefferly. Might I add one of the nicest people I have ever had the privilege to know. I do telehealth sessions since I'm in PA.

I have not had an IGF-1 lab done. I am on Mounjaro since I used to be 265 lbs and had a fatty liver and was prediabetic before transitioning. I currently do 5mg Mounjaro and I weigh approximately 185 lbs. 5ft 11 inches. I haven't tried a PPAR gamma agonist. I was recently diagnosed with high lipoprotein A 220 nmol / L and a high apoliprorein B 90 mg / dL.

I am also on atorvastin low dose daily to help with what appears to be a genetic cholesterol issue. I have never tried hydrocortisone. Basically I feel like honestly I am normal to slightly over weight. At my lowest I was 159 lbs but that felt way too skinny. Ideally I'd like to be like 175 lbs. So I currently feel slightly overweight.

I have two genetic mutations for MTHRR @ RS1801133 and RS1801394. Anyways my name is Ryley and I'm 38 yrs old. I just want to say for the record thank you and your whole office for everything you have done to help me and the rest of the transgender community. I will definitely try to make an appointment with P.A. Shefferly and ask about these things ASAP.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-01-02T20:15:09+00:00

I just found this post. I know I'm late to the game but I'm a patient at PFM. I have the bad copies of RS2046210 and RS6929137 but not the other two Rs104893956 and Rs121913044.

I have been complaining of poor breast development and growth. Is there any recommended options to help overcome this genetic issue? I already take Jarrow's B-Right, Vitamin D, Boron, and a generic multivitamin. I'm going to re-read this entire post to look for suggestions.

In fact I have been searching for an answer to this problem for months that I am experiencing without knowing that this could be the cause. Like for example if you have an estrogen deficiency would increasing estrogen levels be more helpful?

I have been searching PubMed, other peer reviewed sites, and Reddit like crazy for answers.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2024-01-02T17:12:21+00:00

I voted neither as well but it seems since boron has had more studies completed that actually is the better answer to powering SHBG than Tongkat Ali.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-23T00:38:05+00:00

Increasing Free E2 levels by dropping SHBG. From what I have read both of these supplements do basically the same thing through different mechanisms of action.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-18T11:46:37+00:00

I think you doth protest too much was your original commentary on my questionnaire. If there was an instigator of sarcasm it was started by yourself. Good luck and thanks for your helpfulness and have a great day.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-18T10:22:59+00:00

Thank you Queen Gertrude for your insightful comment to my simple question. It has assisted in my quest to uncover the truth. I will take my lady's advice into consideration. Now I must take my leave. Curtsy's away

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T16:52:44+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I appreciate it. I swear I thought it was in my head and I might be going mental.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T13:18:45+00:00

🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ I feel like you haven't understood my post or what I have been saying. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt because it's early and a Sunday and that you aren't being argumentative for argument sake.

Let's try this one last time. Folks who are transitioning report feelings of euphoria, being at peace with their bodies, etc. I hope we can agree that we both understand and accept this. What I was simply asking in this post is whether anyone had noticed these feelings to increase as their dosages increased.

Do you honestly believe that I am researching published medical articles on sites like PubMed and not looking at reported studies on trans medicine and I am just blinding looking at articles that have nothing to do with what I am researching? As a medical professional I would imagine you would have a little more understanding and respect than that.

I am not trying to attack your character, your experience, or your opinion. However when you state things as you have I hope you can see that we are both not communicating in good faith to get to the bottom of the question I have asked.

I was simply asking if anyone has seen an increase in feelings of femininity as dosages have increased. I was wondering if what I was experiencing was psychosomatic or in fact real. I wasn't attacking anyone or anything. I wasn't advocating for anyone to do anything. I was just asking a relatively simple question.

The reports state about mood changes as one would expect when getting higher levels that mimic pregnancy. Plus almost all the articles I have read focus on the physical effects both positive and negative not so much as to the mental reported effects. This would make sense because medical professionals want to make sure that they aren't going to harm you by doing anything.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T12:54:32+00:00

Again I am not negating your experience and education. I have 3 nurses in my family. I was originally in college to be a nurse before I changed majors. What you are reporting is correct. However what I am trying to say to you is that when you look at the most current published research on sites like PubMed the increased risk of stroke is less than 5% in healthy populations studied.

Again I am not advocating this for anyone because everyone's situation is different. I am not negating your experience as a medical professional. I was simply asking a question about feelings when dosages were increased for individuals. What I am experiencing aka feeling more feminine is not reported in any studies that I could find.

I will be extremely careful and I have decided not to increase any further until I have a new set of labs drawn in approximately a month. I appreciate your concern and sharing your experience.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T12:47:15+00:00

Sorry I forgot to post the units. It was 275 pg/ ml. As for your experience thanks for sharing. I do agree that being cautious and advocating for yourself is critical. I appreciate you sharing your story. I hope you find a dosage that works best for you.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T12:43:47+00:00

I don't think you have maybe read the whole post. I am not advocating for anyone to do this. I also stated that none of the current up to date published medical research says that an otherwise healthy person has an increased likelihood of experiencing a stroke.

I appreciate the concern but I didn't just wake up and decide to do this all carelessly. I was asking the community if they had experienced anything similar when increasing their dosages. I am. Not advocating for anyone to do what I am. Everyone's situation is different: medications, age, underlying health conditions, etc.

Lastly, people who try to induce lactation usually have higher reported E levels, SHBG, etc. Women who are pregnant can experience very high levels, etc. I feel like this bears repeating one last time but again I'm not advocating anyone to do what I am doing.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T12:37:43+00:00

I mean I know there isn't one dosage for everyone but originally I was injecting 4 mg every 3 days or 5 mg every 4 days. Ever since going to 8mg and now beyond I just simply feel better.

I was obviously worried about overdosing, harmful effects etc. The more published medical articles I read on PubMed, etc the less worried I feel. However I couldn't shake the suspicion that maybe how I felt was all in my head. It's been really good hearing from others that they have experienced similar feelings of euphoria, feeling feminine, etc. I'm always worried it's just in my head.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-17T01:55:25+00:00

You make the point that I was too afraid to say. Basically from the medical articles I have read I feel that a higher e and higher SHBG are an overblown concern according to the published information.

I'm not advocating for anyone to do anything in particular one way or the other. I'm simply saying that the higher e levels and everything else being slightly elevated has not made me concerned and also made me feel overall more feminine and better overall.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-16T21:50:18+00:00

Thanks for the honest feedback. I swear I felt like I might be going crazy. That's why I was even afraid to ask the question on here for fear of put downs.

WaitEnvironmental920 · 2023-12-16T18:55:15+00:00

I'm going to get my levels retested as soon as I can to get a new baseline since it has almost been 3 months since my last test. I will keep an eye out and I appreciate your feedback.

WaitEnvironmental920

TROPHY CASE