Losing weight quickly since starting Spiro

[KatelynRain]

I've recently been on a diet and have been tracking my calorie intake and expenditure.  I've steadily lost about 2-3 pounds per week, which is about what I had expected.  The past couple of weeks I bought a new house and have been stressed by a series of events in my life, such as buying a house, moving, being a bridesmaid in a wedding, etc. and have put my diet on a hold, essentially eating whatever and not worrying about it.  I expected myself to weigh 2 pounds more (because i had fallen off track of my diet for two weeks now), but instead, I have actually lost an additional four pounds. 

There is no way I could have lost that much weight normally - I've been way off track - eating about 3000 calories a day (with a couple of bad days at 4000) here and there over the past couple of weeks. 

I started an average dose of Spiro a little over a month ago.  Could this weight loss be due to losing muscles from the Spironolactone?

[Kayla]

Yeah, muscle loss and water weight. I dropped from 170 to 145 after about one year of spiro. Since SRS, and no longer taking spiro, I've leveled off at 150. I'm sure it's the spiro and not anything else weird.

[Ms Grace]

Same here! Just keep your liquid intake up and you should be fine.

[KatelynRain]

Thank you both for the insight!!!

[JoanneB]

If I did 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day I'd be back up to over 200 pounds in a month!

Stress will certainly burn up a lot of calories and all the physical effort involved in moving and unsetting / setting up a home is work. If you've been on spiro for a while there is likely some muscle loss so you ain't as strong as you used to be which equals more effort is required. Plus being so stressed and things so hectic you are probably dehydrating, which is all the easier on spiro. My wife used to call me a camel since I hardly needed water. Not any more. A lot of my +/- 5 lb daily weight change is water weight.

[MichelleVindee]

Hi Everyone,

I too have started to see a reduction in weight, while on spiro. Infact nearly a 1kg (2 pounds) in four days? I thought that it maybe due to water loss and muscle but that seems to be very quick for such a short time on the drug?

And I cant believe that the muscle mass is being affected so quickly, esspecially after the Dr mentioned it will take some time to see the Testosterone level drop...

Warm Regards
Michelle

[GingerVicki]

I'm 5 1/2 months and I have no weight loss. I have lost strength but not size.

[Cindy]

Hi Everyone,

I too have started to see a reduction in weight, while on spiro. Infact nearly a 1kg (2 pounds) in four days? I thought that it maybe due to water loss and muscle but that seems to be very quick for such a short time on the drug?

And I cant believe that the muscle mass is being affected so quickly, esspecially after the Dr mentioned it will take some time to see the Testosterone level drop...

Warm Regards
Michelle

This is probably water loss, Spiro is a powerful diuretic. Make sure that you keep your water intake up and if weight loss continues see your Dr. It isn't muscle loss in 4 days! Also avoid foods and drinks that are high in Potassium.

Your Dr probably warned you about some side effects but this can also be useful - remember the anti-androgen effect was found as a side effect!!!

https://www.drugs.com/tips/spironolactone-patient-tips

[MichelleVindee]

This is probably water loss, Spiro is a powerful diuretic. Make sure that you keep your water intake up and if weight loss continues see your Dr. It isn't muscle loss in 4 days! Also avoid foods and drinks that are high in Potassium.

Your Dr probably warned you about some side effects but this can also be useful - remember the anti-androgen effect was found as a side effect!!!

https://www.drugs.com/tips/spironolactone-patient-tips

Weight loss was not one of them she mentioned (forgotten). I thought it might be the loss of fluid. Intake of fluids are high on my list. Thank you

[Linde]

Weight loss was not one of them she mentioned (forgotten). I thought it might be the loss of fluid. Intake of fluids are high on my list. Thank you

When i was on spiro, i initially lost quite some weight, it for sure was water!  But spiro messed with my head, it could have been the potassium sparing thing, and some form of dehydration, I don't know.  I am so glad now that i never ever will need to take spiro again!

[NatalieRene]

As others have said be sure to drink plenty of water. As long as you're keeping up with the fluids I suppose enjoy the guilt free days but don't get too used to them.

[sarahc]

I lost 7 lbs in the first 10 days on spiro...I was dieting, but pretty sure I lost most of that weight because I wasn't drinking enough. More evidence of that: my skin got much drier. As others have said, be sure to drink water.

[MichelleVindee]

When i was on spiro, i initially lost quite some weight, it for sure was water!  But spiro messed with my head, it could have been the potassium sparing thing, and some form of dehydration, I don't know.  I am so glad now that i never ever will need to take spiro again!

Wow that's really interesting because I too identify with your last statement.

At the end of my first week I have been quite down on myself, even to the extent of looking in the mirror and having thoughts of doubt. I wonder if this is a side effect?
Or just a loss of energy to the drug blocking the testosterone (at this stage slight change) I find myself overthinking things as well.