HRT Question

[KatrinaReann]

 Hi everyone!

 

 I have some questions about HRT. I have read where starting HRT produces puberty type symptoms, which makes sense. My question is, how far into your hormone therapy did you start to notice the issues that go along with the puberty experience and what were some of those issues? Also, if you could tell me approximately how long were you in the puberty stage?

 

 I am asking for two reasons. One is, I want to know what to expect if I ever have the opportunity to start HRT. And number two is, I have a friend who is on HRT (mtf) and has been for a while.But she is having a rough time right now with her emotions, moods, depression, and anxiety,. And I am wondering if this is all related to the changes taking place in her  body right now from the hormones.

 

 Another question I have that some of you might be able to answer. I am a diabetic and I am wondering if hormones will affect my diabetes in any way. I have read some articles that say HRT will affect your sugar counts and read others that say it doesn't affect your readings at all. If someone could speak from their own experience I would appreciate it. As I said, I am just trying to get some answers to some of questions so that I will be better prepared down the road.

 

Thanks!!

Katrina

[VickySGV]

1 hour ago, KatrinaReann said:

But she is having a rough time right now with her emotions, moods, depression, and anxiety,. And I am wondering if this is all related to the changes taking place in her  body right now from the hormones

 

HRT can put you on some really wild emotional roller coasters, in fact we use the roller coaster analogy for just that reason.  My experience which does not apply to anyone else (necessarily) was the my emotional spectrum  went from black and white to full Technicolor over the space of about 120 days.  It can be a problem getting used to it which is a good reason to keep appointments with a therapist for a while. 

 

As far as the pubertal effects go, the WPATH Standards Of Care V7 has a chart that lists "onset" and "full development" in terms of time periods.  Onset for almost everything is 90 to 180 days.  Full development starts a period that goes from about 9 months to over 6 years.  The emotional effects do level out in under a year as you learn what and when to expect them.

 

1 hour ago, KatrinaReann said:

I am a diabetic and I am wondering if hormones will affect my diabetes in any way. I have read some articles that say HRT will affect your sugar counts and read others that say it doesn't affect your readings at all.

 

I and a couple of the other people here are also Diabetic and the only real problem I have is that the E does make me hungry a little more acutely, and I have gained weight, but my Endocrinologist who is managing both my HRT and my Diabetes says that it is a toss up as to whether my Insulin or my HRT is causing the weight thing, and going out and having good daily exercise is what is indicated for me, as well as my normal exchange based diet that is balanced.

 

I have been on HRT for 9 years and was diabetic for 15 years before that, and as my signature notes I did have GCS 5 years ago, and except for my hospital food being an 1800 calorie diabetic diet, the diabetes caused no real problems.

[KatrinaReann]

Thank you Vicky!  That is all very helpful!

Huggsss!

Katrina

 

[KatrinaReann]

LOL...Mary...From all of the research I have done I know there is no cookie cutter template for how HRT affects the emotional changes or the severity of those changes. I would imagine even after the first year or year and half that the emotions are much more pronounced than before HRT. So, yeah, you'll probably be crazy like that the rest of your life....lol(jk'ing)....It's the good kind of crazy though!!

[Carolyn Marie]

Katrina, I'm in agreement with Vicky overall.  I do think that the emotional as well as physical effects can vary not only by your body's unique makeup, but also by what meds you take in what combination.  Shots of either Estradiol or anti-androgens (Spironolactone or Finesteride) will have more dramatic effect(s) than either pills or patches.  Estradiol alone (in any form) will have less dramatic effects that when combined with anti-androgens.  Any use of Progesterone may also increase effects, both wanted and unwanted.

 

The use of Spiro for diabetics needs to be discussed with your doctor.  It is a diuretic and can mess up your blood sugar levels.  As Vicky said, diabetes and HRT are compatible, but care must be taken to monitor liver and kidney function and may factor in to your dosage and combination of drugs.  All of this must be discussed with a doctor, as none of us here are qualified.  I've been diabetic for many years, and haven't had major difficulties, but we're all unique.  Weight gain seems to have been more of a result of being on insulin than being on HRT.  After getting off of insulin, my weight decreased dramatically. 

 

Best of luck to you, hon, and enjoy the ride once you start.

 

HUGS

 

Carolyn

[KatrinaReann]

Thanks Carolyn! I know no one here is a dr...I am just trying to get a general feel so I can have more direct questions for an endo. dr and gt if I can find any in my area that take my insurance. I am metformin 500mg 2 times daily which is known to cause liver damage. Plus, I am Bipolar and a couple of those meds for that have to be monitored for liver and kidney damage as well. Because of that I will probably have a very difficult time even finding a dr willing to prescribe me the meds for HRT. I hope for the best, but I have also prepared myself for the worst.

Huggsss!