Caitlin Spice @CateSpice 
Ok, let’s talk hormones - specifically testosterone. What are the average ranges for cis men and women?
Men: 630 ng/dL
Women: 32.6 ng/dL
A big difference; though cis women with pcos can average up to 62.1 ng/dL.
So, how much do I have as a post-op trans woman?
I have <11 ng/dL.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice Next we have free Testosterone.
Both cis women and men average at 2.5% free T. Anyone below 2% is recommended to take testosterone supplements.
What’s my reading?
It’s 1.6%.
So I have a third the testosterone of an average cis woman, and I have a third less of that available.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice But somehow, in some universe, I am not only supposed to have a huge advantage over cis women, but I’m also supposed to be able to compete fairly with cis men!
I think after reading these facts you can understand some of my frustrations with the ‘trans women in sports’ argument.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice I’ve had these levels for a decade, operating FAR below the testosterone levels available to a cis woman.
If I had any kind of advantage from my first puberty, I contend that it’s more than mitigated by this disadvantage.
The idea that I’m superior to cis women is preposterous.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice I’ve had these levels for a decade, operating FAR below the testosterone levels available to a cis woman.
If I had any kind of advantage from my first puberty, I contend that it’s more than mitigated by this disadvantage.
The idea that I’m superior to cis women is preposterous.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice Transition fundamentally alters the biology of transgender people and anyone who denies that is basically an uneducated proto-hominid who should go back to banging rocks together for a hobby.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice @canamKim I’m comfortable with where I’m at. It’s enough for normal cellular function.
KimKymKeem @canamKim @CateSpice Is it dangerous if it is too low? When estrogen is high in me (cis female I think) it makes me feel all kinds of crazy, how does lower testosterone affect someone after surgery. You want it to be on the low side, correct?
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice @canamKim IIRC humans can’t function with zero testosterone as it’s involved in protein synthesis. Without it we would die.
@Emmy_Zje can probably fill you in better.
Dr. Emmy Zje @Emmy_Zje @CateSpice @canamKim Yep, weird stuff happens at low levels with protein synthesis, organ function, bone structure, and at very low levels hippocampus and memory are highly impaired. Both sex hormones operate behind the scenes like this, aside from the physical sex characteristics they drive.
Dr. Emmy Zje @Emmy_Zje @CateSpice @canamKim Also adrenal glands are primary source of T without functioning gonads. Even with gonadectomy, functional adrenals provide enough of both for these background processes. Adrenal fatigue + no functional gonads can be problematic. Also just fyi estrogens are made from androgens.
Caitlin Spice @CateSpice @Emmy_Zje @canamKim Adrenal fatigue and adrenal tumours are two things I worry about.
Both could potentially kill me 
hi micki @SassKnight @canamKim Also I’m no medical expert but I have seen things about how estrogen level *might* affect mental heal condition (like biopolar and adhd) but it might interest you to look into if you feel your e levels are affecting you
𝓙𝓸𝓬𝓮𝓵𝔂𝓷 
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@TwippingVanilla @SassKnight @canamKim E increases dopamine production, which is a critical piece of treatment for ADHD and Schizophrenia (this is why stimulants help ADHD, it causes dopamine release). Estrogen is the top recommended treatment for Schizophrenia in women.
𝓙𝓸𝓬𝓮𝓵𝔂𝓷 ⚢ @TwippingVanilla @SassKnight @canamKim In neurotypicals who don't have dopamine issues, however, estrogen can cause you to have too much dopamine, which can actually create ADHD symptoms.
This is what causes pregnancy brain.
𝓙𝓸𝓬𝓮𝓵𝔂𝓷 ⚢ @TwippingVanilla @SassKnight @canamKim That said, however... If you're questioning if you are infact a cis woman, it's entirely possible that the "crazy" you're experiencing is biochemical dysphoria.