I started taken Estrogel and Spiro 5 months ago.  The physchlogical effects have been wonderful, consistently, but the physical effects were mixed.  I've had steady breast growth, greatly decreased body hair, skin softening, and even some slight facial femininization from fat redistribution.  But I gained a fair amount of weight and felt physically lethargic.  (No doubt lethargy contributed to weight gain, but that's another issue.) A month ago I stopped taking Spiro (but have continued with estradiol).  Why? Because my then-doctior told me that it causes weight gain by lowering the metabolism (which made sense to me), and decreased energy is caused by decreased testosterone (which didn't).  But I decided to test his theories, and since I stopped Spiro my weight gain has reversed and I have more energy.  And all the positive effects I experienced when I was taking both have continued.  Has anyone else had this experience with Spiro?  Or knowledge to share on the subject?

I have been on Spiro for 25 years for a heart ailment. I just went from 298 to 222 over the last year and a half. I think most of the problem was between my ears.

I dropped 35 pounds and decreased total body fat on HRT.  That included spiro and a total testosterone decrease of 807 nd/dl. 

However, I also changed my calorie intake a lot and particularly stopped drinking which saved about 1000 cal a day by itself.

I have noticed decreased energy though.

If your body is used to a high level of testosterone then any drop will certainly make you feel tired. Most people readjust over several months. Just be aware you might experience some remasculnisation as a result of stopping your anti androgen.

Quote from: LauraLynn on July 22, 2016, 02:49:33 PM
Has anyone else had this experience with Spiro?  Or knowledge to share on the subject?

I had the opposite effects.  I started HRT 6 months ago, and since then my energy levels are the highest they've been my entire adult life.  The fatigue that I always felt throughout my life is gone (I used to always feel tired regardless of amount of sleep and exercise).  My energy levels are also very consistent throughout the day.  I can fully function on significantly less sleep than I used to, which is amazing.  I sleep better at night too.  My quality of life has improved tremendously both physically and mentally.

Before starting HRT, my testosterone level was 312 ng/dL.  Last month, the blood work showed it at 7 ng/dL.  And 3 months before that, it was at 6 ng/dL (so basically no testosterone in my system at all).  My last blood work showed my estrogen level at 352 pg/mL.  I take spiro tablets and do weekly estrogen injections.

I've also lost weight since starting HRT.  I was at 130 lbs before HRT.  I'm now at 125 lbs and holding steady there for several months now.

Mind you, I'm very disciplined with my diet and exercise.  I cut out all beverages in my life except for water and fat-free milk.  I eat beef only once a week at most (I eat chicken and fish instead; they're more healthy!).  I completely cut out all cake, pies, cookies, and any kind of sugary desserts (I eat fruit for dessert instead).  I might eat a hamburger or pizza once a month at most as a special treat.  And I run for 30 min a day, 6 days a week.  And do an additional 30 min of mostly lower body strength training 3-4 days a week.

You can maintain or lose weight while on HRT... just think of all the cis women who are able to manage their weight even though they don't have much testosterone either.  Then again, I guess many cis women are overweight so maybe that's not a good example, lol.  Point is, there are some women who are very fit, and it's because of strict diet and exercise.  Same thing applies... you can maintain a healthy weight while on HRT if you manage your diet and exercise.

Between six months and a year or so I felt full of energy too.  Then around 14 months I felt a big energy drop.  Maybe there is a cumulative effect.  Anyway, there is a positive side as I now sleep better than I have since I was around 16 years old.

Pre surgery my HRT regimen included Spiro. I remember the euphoric mental change and also the hot flashes and the steady decline in my muscular strength.  I have always been very healthy and exercise daily and eat very healthy. I made a concious effort to lose weight from 146lbs to 130 lbs.. I was informed by my doctor that estrogen causes a slower metabolism which will require a smaller caloric intake. Estrogen also lowers our tolerance for alcohol and marajuana. I'm quite sure that Spiro was only a minor contributer to my physical changes. With Spiro my T count went from 890 to low single digits and for me the mental changes in empathy and agression was what was most noticeable .

Quote from: Deborah on July 22, 2016, 08:26:09 PM
Between six months and a year or so I felt full of energy too.  Then around 14 months I felt a big energy drop.  Maybe there is a cumulative effect.  Anyway, there is a positive side as I now sleep better than I have since I was around 16 years old.

Energy drop at 14 months?  Hmmm... I'll be sure to watch for that.  Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, all, for the very helpful responses.
Laura

I've only been on HRT for a month now but I can tell you from my experience when I got my first injection and started blockers (same day) I was fairly useless for the rest of that week due to lack of energy.  Second injection the energy loss seemed to only last a day or so.  I won't know about my third injection until I get the situation with my clinic and Delestrogen cleared up as they are claiming a national shortage and can not get any in for the foreseeable future leaving me forced to switch over to taking pills sublingually for the time being.  I have gained a little weight since starting though that may have to do with my eating habits being less than ideal lately.

Early on while my body switched from being fueled by Testosterone to Estrogen I was tired, but once that switch was done and I was used to it my energy returned. I haven't had that happen since then and I have been on hormones over 22 months now. Hugs
Mariah

I too have maintained or slightly lost weight on HRT. I definitely have to watch my intake though and not eat until "full"