Testosterone and weight gain

[Prince Apollo]

I'm 16 years old and have been on testosterone since last summer when I was 15. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist yesterday, and I got my vitals checked. I am only 5'3", but all of a sudden I weigh 142 lbs, after recently only weighing 130 and before T being around 120-125. During my appointment, I was told I was borderline overweight, and I needed to diet and/or exercise more. Does this normally happen on hormones, am I gaining weight in muscle mass or body fat, and how worried should I be about this? Thanks, guys.

[wheat thins are delicious]

Do you feel as though your body is gaining muscle mass or fat?  We have no way to know.  It could be muscle gain.  Do you see more muscle on yourself than previously? 

[Adam (birkin)]

Do you feel as though your body is gaining muscle mass or fat?  We have no way to know.  It could be muscle gain.  Do you see more muscle on yourself than previously? 

Yeah, I agree, it's not always so simple as numbers on a scale. Before HRT I was 5'4" and, at my lightest, 135 pounds. I looked DEAD at that weight, gaunt, skinny, pale. I looked great at 145 even though my BMI would say I was pushing into the "overweight" category. I think what matters most is that you're eating well and keeping relatively active, the longer you are on T the more muscular you get so your metabolism actually increases, making it more likely to lose fat rather than gain fat.

[Prince Apollo]

Well my gut sticks out when my binder isn't over it, but at the same time I feel like my arms are a lot more muscular than they used to be, so it's a mixed bag atm.

[AeroZeppelin92]

I'm going to venture to say that if the doctor said you're borderline overweight... It's not muscle, and if he/she suggests you need to diet and excersize more, then you should do just that. If you don't work out regularly, you're not going to miraculously put on 20lbs of muscle. People who bodybuild are doing great if they can gain 1-2lbs of muscle per month. I'm going to say you've gained a bit of bodyfat/water weight.

[palexander]

i gained around 20 lbs in 3 months from t....
my endo said i needed to exercise for top surgery (so it's an easier procedure for the surgeon) and also because diabetes/trans issues are hard to deal with simultaneously. i've gained muscle, but a lot of it is water weight. i'm going to start doing some cardio and work on better eating habits. i also drink a protein shake post weight lifting. good luck!

*forgot to add in that my body has slimmed out a lot overall. a lot of fat is in my gut now lol

[HeyTrace19]

I think if you eat an appropriate amount of nutritious food and move your body some everyday, you are just fine.  Your weight will fluctuate in the early stages on T, but also I have to note that at your age (regardless of transition) your body is likely still growing and changing.  Some of what you are going through is just normal human growth and development that evens out over time.  It really is important, though, to include moderate activity in your daily routine and to eat nutritious food when you feel hungry. Because of the over-emphasis on obesity here in the US, all of the height/weight/BMI numbers can be deceiving, so I would not put a lot of stock into what the scale says. Optimum health is not strictly based on height and weight. You might learn more about your picture of health from your blood chemistry, your emotions, and your daily energy level.

I am technically borderline UNDERweight, with huge muscular legs, gangly arms, and a good sized gut that hangs out a bit over my pants.  All bodies look different...try to gauge your state of health from within!