Question about lack of eating and HRT

[Oddlydistinctweeds]

Hi, I'm new to this site. I haven't really picked a name yet, so I guess Morgan will do. I'm 17, mtf, and I've been on estrogen for just over a month now along with blockers.

I was searching around to try and find an answer to my question and I just wonder if I can try and find it here before I have to see my (horrible) doctor again.

As a bit of an explaination why I'm asking this; recently due to a chain of bad events not related to transitioning I've been stuck in bed, and I've stopped eating as much as possible. Now, I don't know if it's anorexia or not, and I know that can't really be answered here. The jist of it is that I've always been uncomfortable, with my weight, (to say the least) and I have starved myself before to lose it, and that's what's going on again.

So I guess my main question is, how does not eating at all have an effect on HRT? From what I've read, I know there is the redistribution of new INCOMING fat, but I'm wondering what exactly the consequences would be to starve and not eat at all while going through HRT.

Any responses are greatly appreciated, and I hope you have a nice day

- Morgan

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. The biggest danger of starvation is that without a regular intake of protein, your body will look for other sources. One place it could get it is from your heart as that is all muscle. This was what caused the death of Karen Carpenter and others who didn't receive treatment in time and had damage as the result of it. Normally it's best to eat about 3/4 the calories your body needs when on a diet. More than that and your body will enter starvation mode and it will become even more difficult to lose weight. If you are unable to eat, get in contact with your doctor as soon as possible.

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[Anne Blake]

Hello Morgan,

I will once again applaud Dena for her wise instruction.

You have chosen to begin a path towards realizing the woman you feel yourself to be. You have begun hrt to aid your body in making that transition. In order to allow the hormone changes to produce the results you desire, you need to care for the body that is changing. This include nurturing it as well as liking what you are becoming. Starving it does neither of these things. Give it a chance. Feed it if you can. And PLEASE seek help if you can't. Doctors aren't fun but they are useful when needed.

And will you please keep us posted on your progress in your journey?

Anne

[Oddlydistinctweeds]

Thanks to both of you for answering. I understand the general health risks of starving, and I'm glad I could finally get a straight answer as to if starving effects hrt (since that's a lot harder to get than it sounds)

Feed it if you can. And PLEASE seek help if you can't. Doctors aren't fun but they are useful when needed.

And will you please keep us posted on your progress in your journey?

I CAN feed it, my main problem is that because I starved to go from 175lbs to 154lbs in about a month, I'm really worried (scared actually) about gaining too much weight. I know with starving you gain it back quick, and so that has me very conflicted, since I starve as much as possible, and yet I'm still getting signs that things are working. As well as the fact that I feel absolutely horrible about myself from eating anything.

As of right now I am terribly conflicted between eating because it's good/needed for hrt, and being scared of gaining all that weight back.

As for my doctor, she even said to my mother and I to ignore the lack of eating and that we'll just focus on depression instead (same doctor that prescribes me the hormones). Of the doctors I see, they both say I'm not skinny enough to be anorexic yet and they don't seem to act like it matters because I'm still fat.


Sure, I can definitely keep you posted on how things go. I guess as of right now, there's not too much to say. I'm 154lbs, I've been stuck in bed for about three weeks and not really doing well. For transitioning, I've been on estrogen since August 15th, and although I've starved a lot, I am noticing changes. The largest/main one being nipple soreness for the past few days now.

Thanks again for responding, I really apprecuate it

- Morgan

[Artesia]

I will echo the "starvation" plan is bad.  My Dr said that if I was going to be laying in bed that I should stop my HRT as blood clots are a possible problem for the particular medicines that I am on, so I would also ask about that, as it could make things worse.  I am on a 1700calorie diet, I currently am stuck at 259Lbs, and occasionally eat more than what my diet allows due to the "screw it" response when I didn't lose the weight I wanted to.  With no activity you may still need to eat around 1500 calories to help with you still developing body, while not killing yourself, or adding more weight.  Talk to your Dr about a reasonable diet, they know you better than I, and will be able to figure your bodies needs.  If your Dr can't do it, ask to speak to a Dietitian.

Activity is also important to weight loss.  Without knowing what you are bed ridden for, try some exercises, leg lefts, arm curls, crunches, basic stretching still helps, just not as much.  Stretches may also help get you out of the bed faster.  Check with your Dr about what would be a good exercise for you, and your situation.

Final note:
Check with your Doctor before doing anything.  If they don't know, or can't help with a particular question, ask for a referral to a specialist in the field.  Feel better.

[Lucie]

Morgan, you should read "Good calories, bad calories" from Gary Taubes, or at least "Why we get fat" from the same author (condensed version of the former one). It might help a lot someone in your case.