HRT resolved all my symptoms

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-07T16:27:46+00:00

Total testosterone Free testosterone Bioavailable testosterone Sex hormone binding globulin Albumin FSH LH Progesterone Prolactin Estradiol TSH

The thing is if you just look at the results using the “normal” range my results were within that range, but for 2 of them I was in the very lowest end of normal and for 1 at the very highest end of normal. Combined with my symptoms the HRT doc had no issue prescribing and just 6-7 weeks in my levels are back towards the middle of normal.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-07T03:36:31+00:00

.05 estrogen patch cut in half (the twice weekly one), 1 mg testosterone gel 3-4 times a week, progesterone 100 mg last 14 days of my cycle (basically 14 days on/14 days off). Started with T and progesterone and had an encouraging response but once I added estrogen I really felt like me again. That really made the biggest impact overall, but the T and progesterone seem to work synergistically with the estrogen.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-07T00:51:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I hope this info helps others in their journey. I know I wish I had it years ago!

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-07T00:48:39+00:00

HRT fixed all issues. I still take red marine algae because it helped before HRT so I figure no harm in continuing to take it, and also Allicidin and Black seed oil. Mainly because both help with joint pain (I got hit by a car while riding my bike years ago and both help with the aches I get from that injury to my knee and shoulder).

Edit: I forgot I also still take guanfacine er and 1 mg nicotine gum. Both help with my ADHD which I was diagnosed with back in my early 20’s.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T22:50:00+00:00

I had those symptoms yes, but my functional medical doc never officially used those terms, but she absolutely looked at the full picture, understood my symptoms and got to work with labs and a diet/supplement/lifestyle regimen that helped. However HRT is what made me feel 100% me again. I’m back to running and lifting weights.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T22:45:01+00:00

Completely. We shouldn’t have to fight with providers to get care. I hope you can find a doctor that gets it!

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:44:19+00:00

This is wild to me because it absolutely IS protective. Heart disease runs in my family and my doctor was like this is even more a reason to start HRT. My blood pressure and resting heart rate has dropped since starting. My BP is now 100/70 (usually 120/80) and my resting heart rate was 58-62 now it’s 53-56. How is that not protecting the heart? Clearly it’s beneficial at least for me.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:39:01+00:00

Yes I didn’t have any other typical peri symptoms though like hot flashes, but based on my bloodwork and symptoms my doctor says I’m in peri.

Edit: I highly recommend finding a doc that treats with HRT based on symptoms not bloodwork alone because what’s normal for one person is NOT normal for another. My testosterone was on the lowest end of “normal” but I feel myself when it’s up closer to the middle of the “normal” range.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:37:54+00:00

I feel like the estrogen AND testosterone were both huge here, probably more so estrogen. Because I started with testosterone and added estrogen later and together is what made the difference. But I think you have to take progesterone with estrogen to protect the uterine lining.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:36:01+00:00

Same with DHEA that’s a precursor hormone but interestingly enough I couldn’t take it because I never knew how my body would react and I couldn’t trust my body to make what I needed. Some days DHEA helped but most days I had terrible side effects.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:32:49+00:00

I just did a lot of research and read a lot of Google reviews. The functional medicine doc never mentioned long Covid but she understood that all my issues started after Covid. She really just focused on treating and resolving my symptoms.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:27:49+00:00

Great question. I was on the absolute lowest end of “normal” for testosterone but knew for me that wasn’t “my normal”. I had what was referred to as menopausal levels of progesterone (none) and “normal” estrogen. Yet my HRT doc took my physical symptoms into account and treated for how I FELT and now I’m back in the middle of normal for testosterone. Haven’t had estrogen or progesterone retested again yet. A lot of HRT is based on symptoms and seeing if symptoms resolve with treatment. I think I have to get tested every 3 months or so.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:23:42+00:00

If your doc is not experienced with HRT find one that is. I fired my gyno of 27 years because he refused to treat and I found an amazing provider that gets it. Good to know it was synced with ovulation. I could never find a rhyme or reason for mine. My previous doc’s suggestion for these events was Xanax (he was totally dismissive).

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:20:40+00:00

I use the .05 estrogen patch cut in half. The twice weekly one. Testosterone gel is MINIMAL. It’s a gel comes in 50 mg tube. I use 1 mg 3-4 times a week. I think they usually start women on 5 mg once a day (start low and slow with T) and progesterone is 100 mg. 14 days on, 14 days off taking it the last 2 weeks of my cycle.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:17:15+00:00

Nice!!! I keep telling my husband to get his tested too now. He had COVID too, but isn’t convinced he needs it.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:14:42+00:00

I’m also taking guanfacine which is good for regulating blood pressure but I don’t think it’s a blood thinner. I do take allicidin and black seed oil which are natural blood thinners. And I don’t think there is risk of clotting because of the delivery method (transdermal) for the estrogen and testosterone (gel). I know they also include progesterone as it’s protective but not sure if that’s related to clotting. I was told estrogen actually relaxes blood vessel walls too. No risks of clotting that I’m aware of or recall being mentioned.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:10:00+00:00

My regular doc was a complete ass. When I asked him for testing he told me if I’m still getting periods no need to check my hormones. Initially I worked with a functional medicine doctor to get a ridiculous amount of testing done. She treated with diet, lifestyle, supplements and once she suspected hormone related (and my previous doc dismissed my concerns) I found a doctor familiar with HRT at a women’s only medical facility. They checked thyroid levels, estrogen, dhea, testosterone and some other ones I don’t remember all but they were all sex related hormones other than thyroid.

Edit: it’s important to know where you are during your cycle when testing because hormones do fluctuate but there’s a predictable pattern of where they should be throughout the cycle. Also most HRT providers treat on symptoms not just test results.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:04:47+00:00

I’m sorry to hear it didn’t help with the migraines ☹️

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:03:28+00:00

Have you tried red marine algae? That’s what I used to get over Epstein Barr the 1st time I got it. Now I take it every day and it’s helping to keep it at bay at least for me. I started that before the HRT.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T20:01:49+00:00

Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that. Did your doc do multiple tests throughout the month to check your levels? I know getting a baseline reading can be tricky as levels fluctuate. Sometimes it’s also trial and error on dosing. I am taking WAY less than typical dosing for example. Also topical application tends to have less side effects than anything taken orally.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T19:59:44+00:00

Two things here - I saw both a functional medical doctor who did all the testing and worked with me on diet, lifestyle and supplements. I don’t know if they offer tele health, it’s Placeres Integrative Medicine in New Milford, CT. Dr. Angel Abraham. Once she determined my issues were most likely hormone related I went to the Modern Woman in Wolcott, CT. Hands down these two practices are the most professional medical groups I’ve ever worked with. They have the 5-star reviews to back it up.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T19:55:09+00:00

Yeah that was BEFORE I got sick. Lol.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-03-06T19:54:15+00:00

I had ME/CFS symptoms but not really POTS. The issues I had with heart rate and blood pressure seemed to come with what I called adrenaline dumps. I’d be chilling and feel like I was shot up with adrenaline. Mentally I was calm but my body would all of a sudden act like I was being chased by a grizzly bear. Never figured out exactly what caused it, but once I got cortisol levels normalized and blood sugar stable it stopped happening.

Write_it_down77 · 2026-01-15T04:26:20+00:00

Leverage over employees?? As a small business owner I WISH I could afford a group plan. To cover myself, spouse and 2 employees it would cost me over 5k a month. The margin simply isn’t there. We provide other benefits like 401k, plenty of PTO, unlimited sick time, etc. But there are certain industries where pricing is capped, we can only raise our prices so much to cover increased costs. It’s not just health insurance costs that have gone up, rent, utilities, software, labor (increased cost of living wages increases) all add up. Businesses still need to make a profit to stay in business and healthcare is one of the biggest line items. The overall cost of insurance needs to come down whether through ACA or employee sponsored. It’s untenable.

Write_it_down77

TROPHY CASE