I am on spiro and as many others have gained weight over time. I have read many times that testosterone is the one to blame for this weight gain.

A new research indicates than when T is low in men, Estradiol is also low because it is produced from T conversion. They demonstrate that it is actually low Estradiol (specifically not any estrogen) the responsible for weight gain.

I am thinking: if you are on androgen antagonists, can Estradiol supplement control weight? Anybody that can corroborate?

Research can be found here: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE ... cleResults

Regards

Joe

Women tend to gain weight when they enter menopause but a lot of that reason is because their progesterone levels plunge as well and they often become estrogen dominant before shutting down the E. Unless you want feminization, I'd try many other things for weight loss before trying estrogen. You can try adding micronized progesterone as it helps with weight loss and metabolism but don't use provera/medroxyprogesterone acetate as it has many negative health impacts including weight gain and depression.

Adding 2oz of whey protein 30 min before each meal will help a lot as it lowers blood sugars and increases insulin sensitivity which is critical to getting the fat out of the cell and being able to use it for energy. Focus on things that lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity and you will find what you are looking for.

Thank you Jessica,

JessicaH (imported) wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2014 1:17 am Adding 2oz of whey protein 30 min before each meal will help a lot as it lowers blood sugars and increases insulin sensitivity which is critical to getting the fat out of the cell and being able to use it for energy. Focus on things that lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity and you will find what you are looking for.

I didn't know about whey protein, I will start having my shakes.

JessicaH (imported) wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2014 1:17 am Women tend to gain weight when they enter menopause but a lot of that reason is because their progesterone levels plunge as well and they often become estrogen dominant before shutting down the E. Unless you want feminization.

I had a hard time understanding the original article and found better thes digested versions: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-ne ... 9#53001889 and http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/09/ ... menopause/

What they claim is that low Estradiol caused by low T increases Pot Belly. If you balance it you would get a smaller waist. From what I have read in other places it looks like if you exceed balance you would feminize get boobs and increase lower body fat. (I think that two smarties on an ironing board would be fine for me).

My case is that I am almost in 0 carbs and started gaining 1.5 pound per week in a low dose of spiro, I like the calm effects but not the belly I am getting. Not sure about progesterore, if what I have is low Estradiol what would happen if I add a balancing dose? Or slightly over balance?

Has anybody experience belly reduction with Estradiol?

Regards

Joe

I dont think Estradiol could be reduce your weight, Ive been on 12.5mg androcur daily and gel oestrogen, I gained much weight my apetite increased and only when I stop both drugs lost the weight gained. I want to try depo provera 150mg monthly and try to control my apetite, do much excercise only for reduce my libido without put much on weight

Probably not soo much about the meds causing weight gain as them causing you to eat more and do less, yeah I know same thing. Easy solution, it worked for me anyway. The starch solution, A book, read it, adopt it. Eat as much as you like, I do and I'm still losing weight slowly and comfortably roughly 18 months later, feel good on it to and nothing had to die win win

Spiro is bad about causing weight gain because it raises cortisol levels so much. It's particularly bad for trans women because it cause male patterned weight distribution causing belly fat and a apple shape. Androcur works differently and doesn't cause a rise in LH which causes the surge in cortisol.

Where I live doesnt exist any corporation or hospital or anything supporting transgender people so most if not all transgender are self-medicated. Ive always wondered why some of them look so slim and beauty in a self medicated regimen whilst others look very fat taking a similar regimen. What is the cause? Genetics, an over doses? or an unproper doses? I doubt many of them do much excercise or having a health diet.

alot of trans people struggle financially and unhealthy food is the cheapest.

Jessica and freddyde have brought some interesting points. Weight gain is regulated by three hormones, Insulin, Estradiol, and Cortisol. With Insulin the most important. Cheap food usually has a lot of processed carbs and needs loots of Insulin to process which will make you fat. Cortisol has a similar effect. When you are low in Estradiol your abdominal fat increases, when Estradiol increases you abdominal fat would decrease and your lower body fat would increase. I have also seen and admire these beautiful body MTFs, I am guessing they have the good genetics, food and regime.

Is known that Estrogen cause a certain insuline resistance right? Then high estradiol leves would limit gluconeogenesis and promote fat accumulation. In conclusion estrogen would be involved not in lose weight but in gain weight.