So... I measured the intensity of my shop lights. About 1000 watts per square meter at the light, which is the strength of sunlight during summer. The #UV index was a bit high at 8, compared to about 5 on a summer day. I doubt it's the same spectral UV distribution as sunlight and likely mostly UV-A, not UV-B required for vitamin-D production. At the bench, the visible light is a more reasonable 70 watts per meter and UV index is only 1. I probably should protect myself from the ionizing short rays as they do stress the living cells on my body.

But on the bright side, these lights may have completely cured my #nearsightedness, which was nearly disabling a year ago. From what I understand, bright light helps activate #dopamine which is required for the eye to communicate with itself and do eye things. I have no problems focusing when it's this bright in here! A year ago, it was dark in here and my blood tests showed high #prolactin, which is the opposing hormone of dopamine. I might test it again as good light seems to help.

The lights are powered from the 48 volt solar batteries through a current limiting DC-DC buck boost converter, which is rated for 40 amperes, but set at 8 amps, for about 350 watts. The light strip were from surplus industrial lighting. From what I understand, LED light output is typically much more efficient when a power supply pulses them at high currents, but this filtered DC is fine. I'll have to check the data sheets to see if that's still true like it was decades ago.

#lighting

All About Prolactin Test Explained | Prolactin Test In Hindi

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#vcarehealthindia #health #medical #diagnostics #bloodtest #onlineconsultation #wecarehealthindia #vcare #prolactin #infertility

(Boosts appreciated, though I live in Australia and this is a specific issue with CPA, which is not approved for use in the US, so I am aware only some people may have any experience with this.)

I started taking cyproterone (CPA) in May last year, then estrogen in June.

I'm very happy with my oestradiol levels which are 350-450 pmol/L (over 100 pg/mL), measured at their lowest.

My T levels are also great (tiny!). The CPA was working so well I cut down from 12.5mg once every day win May, to now taking it only once a week.

The problem is that my prolactin levels are high, over 500 mIU/L in my last two tests. This could lead to problems. (I do note that the ideal range I am going by is the male one, as I couldn't find a more accurate safe range for my situation.)

From what I read, high prolactin levels are not uncommon, and it's something to do with the combination of CPA with estrogen. I don't know that reducing CPA further will fix it.

I need to have another test soon, and then see my GP to work out what to do next. I might get referred to an endo who has more of a specialisation here.

I have a number of questions I couldn't answer from the internet. If anyone has helpful input that would be very much appreciated!

Question: Would there be a different safe/ideal prolactin level/maximum for someone on feminising HRT? (Ideal male range listed on my blood tests are 85-500 mIU/L.)

Question: I'm currently taking CPA once a week, but I have no idea at what point in the week would be the best time to get the most useful (average? high maximum?) reading. I had these previously high levels tested in a trough, just before taking my next CPA dose, but maybe this wasn't ideal. I'm thinking 3 or 4 days after, just to kinda get a mid-week average?

Question: If this is just how my body reacts to E+CPA and I have to find an alternative, I am aware of 1) spiro (I would prefer to avoid that due to the side-effects), 2) bicalutemide (I have not looked much into this yet, but it maybe stops T absorbtion rather than production so side effects would be different), 3) SERMs (I don't particularly want to reduce breast growth - not that much has grown!), and 4) get an orchiectomy (I am interested, but it's expensive and I have no idea where to start!). Is there anything else I haven't considered here?

Question: I researched Endocrinologists in Sydney and I have a list of a few options based on reviews and recommendations, but if anyone has a strong recommendation let me know?

Question: I mean, if anyone has information on the process (and cost) for getting an orchi in Sydney I'd be very interested, even if that may not be an immediate option.

It's frustrating that my E+T hormone levels are great and I feel good but there's just this one lingering issue I have to deal with =/

Thanks in advance, even for just reading!

#HRT #Trans #Transgender #CPA #Prolactin #Estrogen #TheminisingHormoneTherapy

#Preprint 🧠 🐁 The prolactinergic system in the brain of mice: sexual differences and changes during motherhood

https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3504208/v1

#Biology #Prolactin #NeuroEndocrinology #NeuroAnatomy #SexDifferences