Anniversary and progress.

Hi all, well this blog passed 23000 page views this last week, mainly it seems as someone was going all the way through my whole history of blogs. Don't know whether to be worried or take that as a compliment. In any event regardless of where this missive stands in the blogosphere, 23k views just is beyond comprehension so thank you to all those that continue to read this.

So i've mentioned before that I get my bloods checked quarterly since starting hormones. I started slowly and ramped them up over the last year so I've been on my current dose for about 8 months now. 

At my last check in September (yes I know I've left it a little late) had my testosterone under control and my oestrogen heading close to my endocrinology target at 373 aiming for 400. 

So I had imagined that I may well have tripped over 400 at the last check. Now blood tests can vary wildly. Your biology is fluid and little events can change things. Also lab errors do occur.

My testosterone is 0.4 so is way down. “normal” healthy range in males is anywhere from 9.2 to 31.8 nmol/L. It is about ten times lower in females, with “normal” levels considered to be between 0.3 and 2.4 nmol". So I'm at the very lowest range. 

The oestrogen was a bit of a shock at 833 being a massive jump. Phlebotomy described it as normal and this may account for my aching breasts lol.

Still growing and still aching. Knock them by accident (I'm still getting used to them being there especially at night) and boy does it sting. I'm guessing I'm heading into B cup range depending on bra fit. Some B cups I have fit just about and a push up C bra really is close which goes to show fit is everything. Push up bras are likely to be the choice in future. Certainly my current prosthesis are close to redundancy and hopefully by summer I can go au naturale.

I passed my second anniversary last week for living full time. It really feels more natural as each day passes. Yes there still remains some situations where I feel a tad uncomfortable mainly due to males rather than females who have been generally welcoming belaying the perceived threat I am supposed to be to the female gender. I really get how a males actions can be really uncomfortable or threatening. Toxic masculinity is real and some males really need to reflect on their behaviour. There is nothing endearing necessarily by trying to be the butch masculine man. Some softness is not a weakness.

With the pandemic situation stabilising, I'm looking forward to getting out and about to a few prides and festival's. On the horizon in no particular order is prides at Bristol and Liverpool, camping at Tributes on the Hill plus a few trips away.

I've had my first surgical referral granted and hopefully will have my second before the month is out. Then any timing for surgery will determine when I can take any breaks this year. I do however have a swimsuit to use so let's see what happens.

Finally I have said I'll try and put some photos in my blog so this one is my Per Una outfit. 

I do like a bit of red and I love the big buckle Clarks shoes. Very comfortable.

I really must get some proper photos taken instead of mirror selfies.

Until next time. Take care

Amanda xx