Okay, I'm about 2 months into taking spiro and lower dose estradiol. I the last 2 weeks or so I ave been getting hungry before my normal times. This is very unusual for me as I rarely (as in almost never) feel hunger pangs. In addition, I am diabetic taking slow acting insulin twice a day. I have noticed in the same time frame my morning (fasting) blood sugar is running about 30 points lower than usual.
My theory is that my metabolism has sped up due to the growth effects of the HRT. There is no doubt there are developments underway on my chest. ;D
I did a search and found some stories of transwomen being hungry in the first week or so of HRT but none further in so far:
Did any of you experience like mine? I curious about both the being hungry and if it has affected the BS level of other diabetics
It's not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps I can lose a little weight.
Jeanette
I did not notice any difference but then I have always been hungry all the time. HRT in that respect did not really change anything.
I am not diabetic but my blood sugar still comes back normal in my periodic blood tests.
It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves
I've been on HRT for nearly 12 yrs and my blood sugar always comes back normal. I'm not diabetic though. It appears, at least from the studies I came across, that estradiol increases insulin sensitivity so that glucose tolerance improves. You should bring this up with your doctor and perhaps read studies on this matter to find out what exactly is the impact of BIO-IDENTICAL estradiol on glucose and insulin.
3 weeks in and yeah, I'm eating like a pig. Blood sugar changes are listed as a side effect, so keep an eye on it.
Progesterone will make you hungry but it might be possible for estrogen to do so as well. Remember when a woman becomes pregnant, she starts eating of two. This increase in appetite is triggered by the increase in both sex hormones so it's possible estrogen is somewhat involved as well. Monitor your blood sugar carefully and discuss it with you doctor so you are aware of any additional issues you may need to watch in your treatment.
Funny, I didn't really think about it but yeah, a few weeks in I hungry sooner than usual. I also noticed I put on 3 pounds. So I watched carefully my snack intake and reduced my next meal proportionally.
Interesting, I had a Dr appointment on Monday and he was impressed that I didn't gain weight (I actually lost 3 pounds). He said most people on estrogen put weight on. The hunger explains the typical weight gain.
Interestingly though, all the studies I've come across suggest otherwise, that estrogen is an appetite suppressant and progesterone increases appetite. Estrogen given to women or even rats and monkeys after their ovaries are removed normalizes weight gain and reduces appetite.
Personally, I find that on estrogen alone, I don't experience much hunger whereas on progesterone, I get ravenously hungry.
Did you begin working out or changing the way you eat?
I'm always hungry and try to eat a lot, but I choose foods like salad or make vegetable soups. I know that I have to eat more to compensate for the caloric loss, and I also work out... this makes it look like to others I eat massive amount of foods, but calories are like 1800 on a "busy" day.
My family member who is also transgender began eating a vegetarian diet. I am not sure if this was meaning to lose weight or genuinely wanted to become a vegetarian (maybe a combination of both or with good intentions although an underlying reason), but also described to me of being hungry more often. I think people beginning to transition are more likely to make decisions in hopes of supplementing their progress with different diets and exercises. I was already working out myself and making what I thought was healthier choices, but I know that I did amp it up when I began HRT because I felt like it would make me look better in the long run.
Quote from: StillAnonymous on February 02, 2017, 11:53:23 AM
Did you begin working out or changing the way you eat?
No, no change in diet. That is why I noticed it. I was diagnosed as a diabetic a number of years ago thanks to cancer traveling to my pancreas and subsequently having about half of it removed. I made dietary changes at that time and my diet isn't the best but it is pretty consistent with an eye on the carbs. three meals a day and evening snack. I also check my blood sugar three times a day. I also chart all my meds.
I started HRT in Dec but only noticed the hunger and lower blood sugar fairly recently. I could be wrong but think the two are related.
Jeanette