Question on HRT and Energy Levels:

[michelle_kitten]

I just got my blood work results from last week's doctor's visit.  We did a hormone work up in preparation for HRT.  My T is low.  My free T is about half what it should be, and the rest is about 2/3s.  The low T explains why I am so physically low energy a lot of the time.  It seems like I am physically exhausted frequently and easily.  I asked my doctor a lot of questions about HRT, but I did not ask about what impact reducing testosterone would have on my energy levels.

 

If you have gone on Estrogen and Testosterone Blockers, what has your experience been?  More energy?  Less energy?  About the same?  If you don't mind sharing were you low T or normal before HRT?

[Charlize]

I don't remember what my T levels were prior to HRT.  Blockers were effective but not overly so.  After my orchiectomy my T levels were so low that there was a thought of giving me some.  Further tests showed that i needed some thyroid medication.

At this point i've got decent energy levels for a 70 year old woman.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Mackenzie Holiday]

My testosterone was also really low before starting HRT but my estrogen was even lower. I was just low hormone in general. Now my estrogen is nice and high and my testosterone is usually so low that I've had to go off T blockers altogether a while back, and sometimes I actually need to take a little T just to make sure my body has enough to maintain my heart and bone health and such. But I have plenty of energy still. I've had absolutely no problem being active before or after HRT, the biggest dampening effect it's had is that it made me feel calmer emotionally... you know, once all the second-puberty craziness wore off and I stopped crying at everything...

 

I only really feel sluggish due to my hormone levels when my E is low, so for me, being low on hormones in general is what does it more than the low testosterone in particular. Which makes sense, since endocrine-typical cis men and women tend to have similar energy levels despite their massive differences in testosterone.

 

I hope that helps!

[Kirsten]

I had some issues at the start adjusting to the spiro because of how much it dries you out. But I quickly learned how important all the water was. I didn’t really lose any energy or gain any either. I was a bit euphoric at first. But that changed quickly too. Right back to normal. 

 

A year in now and i still have days that I feel lazy but it’s usually due to my water intake. Or even if I eat poorly. But the food is more because of how health conscious I am vs the meds. 

 

Remember that you are pushing your body hard with hrt, and safe or not, hrt is not something your body really wants. It’s all chemicals we are adding to our systems that you are now trying to make use of. The healthier you are, the better job your body (and mind) will do dealing with it. But that’s just my 0.02. You should ask a doctor if you’re truly worried. But either way be healthy. 

[Raven1981]

When I had my partial orchiectomy from my cancer.  My T was already super low.  My T in the beginning was in the high double digits.  My E was in the low teens.  But them I went on an average Spiro which kicked me down real fast on the T and I am on a lower spiro and my E started out rough on patches and then once I switched to injections, my E has been right where is needs to be.  I really never had any energy problems.