Based on the community-sourced information provided, here is a summary to address your question about HRT dosages. It is crucial to remember that I am an AI and not a medical professional. You must consult with a qualified healthcare provider who specializes in transgender healthcare to determine the correct and safe dosage for your specific body and needs.
The most important principle repeated throughout these accounts is that dosage is highly individual and must be guided by regular blood tests. Your height and weight are factors, but the primary goal is to achieve specific hormone levels in your blood, not to take a dose based on someone else's body size.
A common starting point for oral estradiol is 2mg daily. However, this is only a beginning dose to see how your body reacts. It is not an effective long-term dose for feminization. The shared experiences strongly indicate that an adequate maintenance dose for oral estrogen is typically between 4mg and 6mg per day, and this is almost always paired with an anti-androgen.
A standard starting dose for an anti-androgen like Spironolactone is often 100mg daily. Its job is to suppress testosterone production, which is essential for feminization.
A "placebo" or dangerously low dose is repeatedly described as anything below 4mg of oral estrogen, with specific mentions of 0.5mg or 1mg being completely ineffective and potentially harmful. Such low doses suppress your natural testosterone without providing enough estrogen for your body to function properly, which can lead to fatigue and negatively impact bone health over time.
The ultimate goal, as confirmed by blood tests, is to reach:
- Testosterone levels suppressed below 50 ng/dL.
- Estradiol levels within a healthy feminine range, typically between 100-200 pg/mL.
Your journey is unique. The right path involves working with a knowledgeable doctor, starting with a standard dose, getting regular blood tests, and adjusting your regimen to safely reach your target hormone levels.