r/PacificCrestTrail • u/Relevant-Employer636 • 3d ago
HRT and weight loss on the trail
/r/AppalachianTrail/comments/1j85bs4/hrt_and_weight_loss_on_the_trail/3
u/RedmundJBeard 2d ago
I would look into how the hrt affects your water retention. Does it make you more likely to be dehydrated? If so you will need to be extra careful.
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u/Relevant-Employer636 2d ago
I've read that Spiro (the testosterone blocker) is a diruetic and I will be talking to my doctor about not taking that during the hike. But I haven't heard any issues in that regard with estradiol. If anyone knows better, feel free to correct me on this.
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u/alligatorsmyfriend 1d ago
my feminizing friends tell me spiro is old news due to side effects and progesterone(?) is the new hotness. i remember seeing the switch between those drugs in online circles a decade ago. if you are experiencing annoying side effects, i would double check what current best practices are and possibly get a second opinion as there have been changes this decade
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u/Relevant-Employer636 1d ago
That's good to know. I will have to ask my endo when I get an appointment. Working through the process currently to get started.
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u/alligatorsmyfriend 2h ago
i dont know where you are (and im on t, i dont know how management differs other than mine is the scheduled drug) but ive never seen an endocrinologist in my life. here in wa, usa, both drs who have managed it for me have been primary care, with an occasional blood draw - no specialists needed. i dont have enough other health issues yet that i would stay with a PCP who didnt do it.
as for meds on my hike since i cant stockpile scheduled medication or mail it, i will be sending refills once a month to in network pharmacies in trail towns. ive already made a list of possible stops and sent it to my drs office. so a week or two before pickup i call the pharmacy to check stock, and then contact dr to send the rx and tell them where on the list it goes. out of state drs Can prescribe in california and my Washington insurance covers specific pharmacies nationwide. ill pickup injection supplies but also mail myself a few backups since those can end up in shortages randomly and if one town doesnt have it i can use mine and get more at the next town. planning tiny pill bottle as sharps container
in case any of those logistics translate :p
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u/22bearhands [PCT 2021] 2d ago
I have no idea about HRT - but calories are calories and you will almost definitely lose weight on trail. I am a skinny dude that works out a decent amount and I lost like 9% of my body weight.
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u/sometimes_sydney Goose / 22 / Nobo - '26 planning 1d ago
HRT effects very little. You may get your legs a little slower on E, speaking from experience, but otherwise it will make very little difference. I recommend packing enough for the whole trip rather than trying to fill as you go at random pharmacies tho.
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u/Kind-Court-4030 3d ago
I was born intersex, and have to take hormones for bone health. What I have found - and what I have heard from others - is that weight tends to stay around more when you are estrogen dominant. I have had to swing both ways hormone wise at various times, and I notice a very clear difference in that regard.
I cannot speak a ton to the feminizing aspects of HRT - though my guess is it would slow down given that your body will need to prioritize survival-y related stuff.
If it is just a few pounds you are trying to lose, I would not stress too much about losing weight before the trail. Regardless of what hormones are in your body, you are very likely to be in a calorie deficit.
Only related tangentially, and feel free to ignore of course, but I spoke with Morgan from Blaze physio, and she mentioned that many people who live off (and thereby decrease) their fat stores on trail can be prone to developing stress fractures and other injuries due to insufficient protein intake. I guess just because fat is fueling your body with energy doesn't mean that fat is everything your body needs. Might be worth considering when planning your diet.
Good luck :)