Questions about Spironolactone

[Queans]

I am Mtf, and I've been reading online about how spironolactone is less effective when consuming large amounts of salt. But does that have anything to do with blocking testosterone? or is it just a blood pressure issue. Because after all this medication is made for blood pressure.

I also heard that spiro is not as effective in blocking testosterone and i'm wondering if salt/sodium makes that even worse with the blocking of T.

I've been taking spiro for a little under a year now.

Thank you guys so much!!

P.S. I just binged on a whole jar of pickled jalapenos and i'm like worrying   

[Sunderland]

Mmm... Jalapeños...

In regard to your question, I don't know, but welcome to the forum. *hugs*

[Mariah]

Hi Queans, Welcome to Susans. Each persons millage on HRT differs. My Endo believes Spiro is the best at blocking Testosterone, but the salt shouldn't have any affect on what your testosterone levels are. Spiro is a diuretic and as far as I know it's only affect on salt is that you lose it in large quantities as a result. It's always best to consult your doctor as to how a particular medication will affect you. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. I look forward to seeing your around the site. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

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[Queans]

Awe, thanks guys you're the best <3 -hugs for everyone-

[enigmaticrorschach]

i feel bad for even commenting but i'd have to say it really depends on genetics. like i apparently have extremely good genes

[Queans]

i feel bad for even commenting but i'd have to say it really depends on genetics. like i apparently have extremely good genes

Wait what 

[enigmaticrorschach]

i was half asleep, just ignore that. from what i've read and heard, is does have anti-androgen affects and was used on sex offenders to cut their libido. what i really mean, is it really depends on the person. some people become resistant to it and have to switch to a different one or its slow because of maybe genetics. you;d really have to ask an endo about it

[Ms Grace]

As far as I understand, salt isn't going to affect the anti androgen effects of Spiro. What you do need to be aware of though is that Spiro is also a diuretic and consuming large quantities of salt or potassium is not good for you. A single jar of jalapeños isn't likely to matter much but if you do it regularly you might run into health/kidney problems. Make sure you drink plenty of water (water, not cola, coffee, alcohol...). Consult your endo about your diet while on HRT.

[Rachel]

I agree, drink plenty of water, exercise, eat right and get sleep.

[Dee Marshall]

Specifically a potassium sparing diuretic which means it will cause you to crave salts but let the potassium salts build up. Be particularly careful with potassium rich foods.

On another note, was that thing with the jalapeños something you would have done prior to spiro? Several of us, myself included, went through periods of craving really spicy foods. I tended to put as much as a 1/4 teaspoonful of ghost pepper sauce in two scrambled eggs. I still can, and do, but I don't crave it anymore. Not absolutely sure it was the spiro and not the estradiol, but it went away after my PCP took me off of another blood pressure med since I was also taking spiro and the combination dropped my BP too much.

[KayXo]

With Spironolactone, you lose more sodium/water and retain more potassium, hence the reason why you become more thirsty and crave salty food, to replenish your body with them. This is why it's important to eat as salty as you want and drink (preferably water, not soda/energy drinks or juice) as much as you want but limit potassium intake and diuretics. As always, you can verify this with your pharmacist and doctor. 

[iKate]

Spiro has done wonders for my blood pressure. It is more effective than any other medication I have taken. The best part is I can eat salt! Well not to excess, but I can have some salty stuff since the spiro gets rid of it instead of staying on an ultra low sodium diet. Otherwise without salt I get cramps.

Regarding testosterone, I don't know. I don't feel very different at all. Just calmer overall from E but with Spiro added I don't really feel that much different. Maybe it just creeped up on me. My T was low (180s) pre HRT though.