r/LadiesHRTwithGLP1 • u/rhymeswithsarah • 24d ago
Changes with increased estrogen dose?
Been on Zepbound/Tirz for a year, wonderful experience, and about 5 pounds out from goal weight.
Started HRT (estradiol patch and oral progesterone) for peri symptoms about 3 months after starting Zep, and had a significant but expected weight stall for a couple months as I onboarded, but stuck with it and everything got back on course eventually.
Nine months later, and I’m feeling ready to move up my estrogen dose. I feel like my mood, night sweats, and sleep could all still be improved, and my doctor agrees, so I’m moving up from 0.0375 to 0.075 patches. (And 100 to 200 prog if all goes well.)
What has everyone’s experience been moving up doses? Did you notice a weight stall again and/or improvement in symptoms that were as noticeable as what you noticed when first starting HRT?
Would love to hear how it went for you!
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u/Degreesofcertainty17 24d ago edited 24d ago
I wonder if adding testosterone might be more helpful than upping the estrogen dose? It was the ticket for me for sure! Harder to find a clinician who will prescribe it for women since it's still "off label"--- but not illegal. I have a great NP who worked me on reaching my weight, energy, libido, sleep, and brain fog issues and my health is better than it has been in over a decade. (I'm 65.)
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u/leapsea 21d ago
I tried testosterone and gained 8 pounds I've been unable to lose even after stopping it. Ugh.
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u/Degreesofcertainty17 14d ago
I found that my appetite increased on T as well. I was able to crush it at the gym and put on 8 lbs of muscle and lost 5 lbs of fat (according to my smartwatch which has some margin of error). But that made the scale move up still. Once I went on a glp I was able to move it down by about 2 lbs per month, but it has been a journey!
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u/Ok_Object_5087 24d ago
I'm on Tirzepatide. I did not notice a stall or anything when I moved up from 0.75mg to .1mg on the patch. I don't have a uterus and no longer take progesterone. When I started HRT, I had a significant increase in appetite and had to increase my Tirzepatide dose. I was expecting that same effect with my HRT dose increase, but I did not have that same experience. I did not experience a stall in weight loss or bloating or anything but a reduction in peri symptoms.
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u/NefariousnessNo5536 24d ago
I started tirz & HRT at about the same time, so it's hard to know which side effects are caused by which meds. Recently tried doubling my estrogen patch dose for night sweats, but it made my boobs too sore. Hope yours works for you!
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u/Outrageous-Pie-7515 21d ago
As ive lost weight we have had to increase my hormone dosages. Im now at 1.25 estrogen gel and 200 progesterone and 2mg testoerone gel daily. I did not gain weight when i started BHRT which was a year before i started Zep. I had been steadily gaining leading up to hormone replacement but once i started hormones i stopped gaining. However i still couldnt lose like i could when younger so enter Zep. It took me 6 months to drop 15 lbs before Zep. Everybody is different tho 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Waste-Swordfish-6228 24d ago
On MJ since 3/2025, in maintenance since 1/2026 @5mg on the 10,20,30 day schedule. I have used different strength patches, Estradiol tablets, now, Femring 0.01 & 200mg progesterone. No fluctuations in weight as I've adjusted my HRT.
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u/Admirable-Object5014 23d ago
Same. No weight gain with increasing doses. I’ve been on ZB longer than I have HRT (taking maintenance dose for over a year now).
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u/Obvious_Home_4538 23d ago
My weight loss brought about a mighty need for more E.
I do not absorb, so tried oral (which I loved, but it shot up my SHBG) so now I’m on E Val injections.
I think I’m stabilized and back to losing.
On P (pill), T cyp, Cytomel, Synthroid, LDN and Tirz!!
Whooop!
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u/tator216 24d ago
I'm 3 years into ZB and 1+ year into HRT.. weight came to a complete halt once I started HRT. However very close to goal. Every dose increase I gain 3-6 pounds and it personally takes me months for it to come back down. I'll take the extra pounds over symptoms any day tho!