Could my body alter hormone levels pre HRT?

[Annis]

So I have been noticing a few changes in my body recently which at the moment I can't think of specifics. In general though, my question is whether or not the body or the brain can "prepare" for hormone therapy by altering the amounts of hormones in the body. Even if it is slight, I would be interested to know. Having a non-pharmaceutical  physical reaction to being transgender would make me feel better about myself.

[Kylo]

I think there might be something to that, like a psychosomatic reaction.

I'm pre HRT and can't say for sure but I think I've actually grown more body hair and faster than usual in the last year or so while waiting. It isn't coarse, but it's more than there was.

I also seem to have a much shorter temper but a temper that subsides faster than it used to. I remember I used to stew for days about things, now I just don't. Only since making the decision to transition.

[Deborah]

I have heard of that happening to one person before.  It was self reported so I don't know how true it is.  However, the mind is very powerful so it wouldn't surprise me that it could happen,


Sapere Aude

[BoringUsername]

I mean, why would it proc now?  If it was just because you were trans then why is it happening now?  I mean I can't say for sure obviously but I'm thinking no.  Unless you developed some medical condition that could cause a change.

Don't mean to sound negative but for every person that says they might have noticed something you could probably find more that say they didn't notice anything.

[Jessica May]

I haven't researched into the topic, but on my 4th appointment at Northampton Gender Clinic during my physical examination Dr Timmins made a remark on the small amount of breast growth that I had.

He then went on to explain that he sees this quite regularly with patients that are living 'in role' full time (as I was, for 8 months at the time of my appointment).
He said its entirely possible to transition using only the brain, albeit its quite a difficult and rare feat - but if the mind wants it so bad and you're 'acting the part' consistently then it can happen.

[link5019]

I would like to believe this is possible. The brain is a power tool, and can make changes to an extent, if the desire is strong enough. I noticed in the months leading up to HRT there were some slight changes in my body shape, but they were very slight, though it could have easily just been me trying to make the wait more bearable too. But I really do think that something like this is totally possible!

[itsApril]

Intriguing idea.  There's a lot we don't know about mind-body interactions.  But there are a number of bodily functions that would seem to be independently determined that can be brought under partial control of the mind.  For example, some people with high blood pressure have seemingly learned emotional or behavioral techniques they can use to bring their blood pressure back down.  Advanced practitioners of meditation sometimes display surprising control over blood pressure, pulse rate, and other functions.

Gender-related hormones are awfully complicated.  But it may be that we can exert some degree of mental control.

[DAWN MID GIRL]

I have studied genetics a little your body is always creating estrogen and testosterone. I foods we eat can change the levels in your body. It is also known that the subconscious part of our brains can control things so it is highly possible for the brain to change the amount of estrogen being created to start to change things before hrt is administered.

BY FOR NOW