Gaining weight before HRT

[xponentialshift]

I am planning on beginning my MTF HRT within a few months, but my body fat percentage is under 7.5% (which is under the minimum for even males)
Should I be trying to gain weight before beginning HRT? Just fat, muscle, or both?
Currently 5'9", 130lbs, 26" waist and 23 years old.
Also when I do start HRT should I continue eating my same caloric intake (instead of less) to try and gain the correct fat distribution ?
Thanks for your feedback!

[Jill F]

Gaining weight now before HRT sounds like a mistake.  I put on 25 pounds of muscle in my last hurrah of dudeliness and I regret it.

When you start HRT, you will start to put on fat deposits in "girly places".  You won't now.  Also, your metabloism will slow and gaining weight will become, umm, easier.   Ever since I started progesterone, all I have to do is look at food and I gain weight.

You probably need to adjust your intake on the fly.   You will know if the new fat is going where it should or not.   During the holidays I increased my intake.  Some of it went where I wanted it to, some didn't.   Seems that was too much, and I'm back to losing weight SLOWLY.  I don't want it coming off my brand new bewbs!

I hope that was helpful.

[Jennygirl]

Do you feel that your body is at a healthy weight right now? I'm very close to your measurements, just an inch shorter. Sounds like it depends a lot on your frame size. It's possible to do by measuring around your wrist.

I would say if you look healthy and know you are healthy, just stick with what you've got and then go for a few pounds once you've been on hormones for at least 8 months. Excess male pattern weight is not really desirable when you are trying to feminize. It's good to have some fat once you've been on hormones for a while, though.

[xponentialshift]

Thanks for the replies!
Yes I do feel comfortable with my weight where it is. (I've spent the last 2 years gaining the last 6 lbs to get me away from the "underweight" diagnosis at the doctors (I happened to gain an inch over the past year which made it that much harder)
I currently eat between 2500-5500 calories per day depending on activity level and type of food (fresher whole foods I don't need as much of; I guess my body digests them better) I probably average 25,000 calories per week.
I have been eating vegan for the past 5 years (although switching to vegan food is what helped me gain weight)

My concern was that some doctors might not let me start HRT if my fat % is below healthy range.

Oh and my frame size is small (just over 6" wrist)

[warlockmaker]

I am presently 5ft 7ins, 139 lbs. What I have noticed is that I have to watch my food intake considerably to maintain this weight as my metabolism has slowed on HRT. You will find that you will put on weight and thats ok as you need to have female fat and fat for the breasts, but watch the scales climb after what you though was a light meal as a cis male after you start HRT.

[Jennygirl]

Thanks for the replies!
Yes I do feel comfortable with my weight where it is. (I've spent the last 2 years gaining the last 6 lbs to get me away from the "underweight" diagnosis at the doctors (I happened to gain an inch over the past year which made it that much harder)
I currently eat between 2500-5500 calories per day depending on activity level and type of food (fresher whole foods I don't need as much of; I guess my body digests them better) I probably average 25,000 calories per week.
I have been eating vegan for the past 5 years (although switching to vegan food is what helped me gain weight)

My concern was that some doctors might not let me start HRT if my fat % is below healthy range.

Oh and my frame size is small (just over 6" wrist)

Yeah sounds like you are okay. When you are truly eating the healthiest, it is very hard to gain weight because your body processes it efficiently, converting it mostly into useable energy.

A few times, I have gone on a sugar cleanse- but still manage to get 2,500 calories a day.. mostly from proteins and healthy fats on top of a ton of greens. Literally all of my excess weight falls off within a week and I have the energy of a superhero. Kind of fun actually: not eating sugar

I wouldn't worry about the doctors so much. You may get one that brings up your weight, but I highly doubt you would get two.

[Cindy]

I'm 5' 7" and 60kg with a BMI of 21, I have a very feminine figure and no issues from my medics. I would agree with the other girls. Don't try to gain weight, it will happen naturally as your hormones change

[Cindy]

Hey, You are quite subtle lady as it turns out . I never thought that You are so small

Thank You! I did have a bit of shrinkage on HRT and ended up having bone scans to make sure I was OK - I am. I also work out a lot to stay 'petite' I'm very lucky