Hey all!

I just started a low dose of T four days ago and right away I noticed I was freakin HUNGRY! I'm trying to lose weight so I'm a better candidate for top surgery but it's sure stinkin hard with this constant hunger.

I normally have a slimfast for breakfast around 7am and that keeps me satified till 10:30 at the earliest 11:30 at the latest. Now that I'm on T (gel form, daily application) I'm like...famished by 9! What the heck?! I also notice a huge energy dip when I get hungry and that didn't used to be that way. Is this in my head cuz I'm just paying more attention...or does anyone else have experience like this when starting T? Do I need to feed myself different? Didn't even think about that!

Totally normal. I also notice serious pains if it's been a few hours.

I'm about a week on T and mine has stayed the same, actually.

I got really, really hungry on T, and made the mistake of obeying every single hunger pain.  Packed on ten pounds easily that way.  I would say use a calorie calculator online to figure out where you should be now by selecting male instead of female, and redefine your calorie goals for weight loss.  You'll probably be using a little more than what they tell you even, since those calculators are usually giving you calorie needs for fully grown men, not guys in puberty, who can have even higher calorie needs!

Quote from: Kvall on February 07, 2010, 04:54:12 AM
Are you sure that your weight gain was not in muscle? If it was definitely in fat, were you following a good diet? It's not a good idea to ignore physical signs of hunger (hunger pains in your stomach, borborygmus, dizziness, hunger headaches). Your body knows when it needs food.

The trouble is that many people will eat when they're not actually hungry but simply have an appetite, usually because they are bored or a bit addicted to food. Or they eat the wrong foods, foods that are too calorie-dense for their size, etc.

On the flip side, our bodies take a while to send us the signal that we are full. So when you are really hungry, try not to stuff yourself. Eat slowly and your body will have time to catch up.

+1  I gained 10 pounds right off the bat on T as well.  10 months later I weigh the same, but have gone down a pant/shirt size without even trying.  I suggest going by measurements, rather than weight.  You're going to be putting on a lot of muscle, which weighs more than fat.

And speaking of muscle, you may find that you have fewer hunger pangs if you work more lean protein into your diet.  It takes more protein to build muscle.  Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that those who do not have a great increase in appetite tend to be those who eat a lot of protein.

Judging by the gradual disappearance of my abs, I chalked it up to gaining fat.  Agree with Jamie-O as well--I've actually packed on an additional ten pounds, but I have started eating healthily again, and now those additional 20 pounds are pretty clearly muscle and not fat.

I've been on gel for nealy 2 weeks and I've not noticed any change in appitite whatsoever, which I'm pleased about because I ate like a freaking horse anyway.

I can eat 24/7 everything, all the time anytime. I never feel full and I mean never..

I gained about 2/3 stone since stating T. Now changing my eating habits and adding a bit of excerise and putting up with the hunger pains. Although eating healthy and been losing the weight put on..

Jay

I have always ate a lot because I have a really high metabolism, and now I eat even more.  I was worried about fat weight gain but that hasn't been a problem.  I have gained almost 20lbs since I've been on T (started Oct. 7th) but it has been in muscle.  My body fat % has actaully dropped from about 14% to 10%. so the only negative thing about being hungry and eating more is that im going broke haha

I gained 10 pounds in the first few months, was always either hungry or tired. I have now lost some of it and dropped a pant size,so it all seems to be leveling out. I am putting on more muscle again also.  Definitely burning more calories but trying to watch what I eat so I don;t eat crap calories.
Myles

Thanks all! I apreciate the comments. Myles intersting about you either being hungry or tired. That's totally me too!! I can't believe how stinking much I wish I could be napping right now! lol

I noticed the same thing starting T. It's been about a month now, and especially right in the beginning I noticed a significant shift in appetite. I was starving all of the time and eating like a horse. I haven't gained any weight at all since starting, however, even though I've increased my caloric intake and have been slacking with exercise more than before. (My plans were to start going to the gym again by Monday... Oh wait that's tomorrow. So yeah, tomorrow.) As above posters have mentioned, if you're actually hungry, like your stomach is growling and stuff, eat something- just be careful with what it is.   Your body has been kicked into starting a process of growing and changing, and that's going to take some food.

Off-topic; Whoa, Jay, it looks like you lost a lot of weight.

OK, I have a question. My appetite hasn't increased, but my stomach has been a lot more sensitive lately. Is this normal?

I know it is a bit off topic but I want to avatar yesterday (in 3d) and WOW the size of the popcorn boxes!!!
Haven't been in the cinema for about a year now and haven't even looked at it then.

My friend bought a medium pack of popcorn which I think was shocked to see the size is like a bucket!!! and she could eat it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could years ago, but now, and I am not sure if it is anti-t related or not, it makes me feel sick O_o

Quote from: Myself on February 08, 2010, 02:45:10 PM
I know it is a bit off topic but I want to avatar yesterday (in 3d) and WOW the size of the popcorn boxes!!!
Haven't been in the cinema for about a year now and haven't even looked at it then.

My friend bought a medium pack of popcorn which I think was shocked to see the size is like a bucket!!! and she could eat it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could years ago, but now, and I am not sure if it is anti-t related or not, it makes me feel sick O_o

I've actually noticed that while on T I can't eat as much. I'm not sure if I'm sick or if it's T, but I've seemed to cut back.

Nope, it's not in your head. The first 1 1/2- 2 months on T I was always hungry. I was even hungry right after I'd finish eating! But I made myself eat no more than I usually would each day so that I wouldn't gain massive weight. Which, of course, made me more hungry.

When I get hungry I normally get really tired anyway, but the first few months I would be completely drained when hungry. After a few months the intense hunger returned to normal and has stayed that way. My guess is that when T first fires up your metabolism your body just needs to readjust to it. No wonder teenage boys eat like there's no tomorrow.

And like others have said, eating more protein seems to help too. My body has craved more protein anyway since starting. Don't ignore the protein cravings- it helps you build muscle.

You know, I didn't notice this at all before...
Today I'm 54 days on T-gel, and this morning, I got up, pumped, made a couple phone calls, had a shower, shave, put my T on, got dressed, sat down to check my email... and I suddenly realized that I was experiencing a fair bit of pain..
My body was kicking me, hard, with a "EAT YOU LAZY B-TARD!"  message... (and this was "just now")

Last time I got hunger pains anywhere close to this bad was when I was making a dinner and realized, slowly, that I hadn't eaten anything for almost 24 hours...
This time, the time difference between noms was significantly less, and the pain was a fair bit worse.

I had a smoothie and a coffee... and it's just barely taken the edge off!!
a smoothie and a coffee would usually be enough for me until dinner!

My weight has been yoyoing a full 5 kilos (11lbs) up and down again since around new-years (which was about 3 weeks on T I think?) and it's still doing it.
2 kilo (4.4lbs) yoyoing is something I'm semi-used to, but 5 (11)!?!

Yeah T increased my appetite a lot and it hasn't gone down.  Pre-T I was hardly ever hungry, I'd go a day without eating and not really notice.  Now if I do that I wake up feeling super weak and drained; I have to eat at least 3 times a day.  I've gained about 10 pounds but it's been mostly muscle.

It is not so much that I am hungrier on T, but rather it is when I am hungry that changed.  Pre-t, I could hours after I wake up before I eat anything, but now I HAVE to have breakfast at least two hours after I wake up.  Any longer and I am in agony.  I still consume no more (probably less even) than I used to.  But then again my dinners are usually either 225g of beef or 225g of chicken, so I am not lacking in the protein department, which is what probably causes most of the increase in hunger when starting T.