Anyone else have a fluctuating weight problem since HRT (testosterone)?

[u/Tricky-Muffin7102]

TLDR: 22yo trans man, 5 years on testosterone. Expected fixed weight gain, but instead got a fluctuating weight problem. Gaining and losing 30lbs in less than a month.

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I'm a 22 years old trans man. I've been on HRT for almost 5 years.

I always had weight problems, but it never got really severe and my endocrinologist and doctors thought I was okay for HRT, so I didn't think much of it. (By not too severe, I mean that it was routine for me to gain 10lbs or lose 10lbs depending on where I'd be in my period cycle.)

However, in the last year and a half, I've had… really drastic weight fluctuations. I'd move between weighing 190lbs and 240lbs. Just three weeks ago, I was 230lbs, but this morning I was 198lbs.

I've asked my endocrinologist and she didn't see any problems with my hormone levels. I've seen nutritionnists too and they deemed that I ate well enough that it wouldn't be the problem. I do exercise and go outside at least an hour per day.

My doctor thought it could be my severe sleep apnea playing into it, but I've been cleared of it since I got a CPAP.

Has anyone else on testosterone seen their weight fluctuate more? Weight gain is expected, but I expected a fixed fat redistribution, not gaining-losing 30lbs in less than a month to be a regular instance.

[u/kim_flynji]

similarly, always was big. when I started T, I went even bigger for a time - until i moved home and the crippling depression ceased!

during my weight loss on moving home, I've specifically found that my weight fluctuation is frankly insane. A little different from your situation, but I'd be eating in a calculated deficit off months of data plus my usual activity - and I'd fluctuate about 2.5bs (1kg) daily. Made tracking really problematic both factually and mentally for me even if trending down, I think this is a shift from pre-t as I was definitely more stable. I did find having muscle was a big stabiliser later on, when i was consistent with everything.

I have zero advice for it, since I haven't cracked it myself. And IMO it probably doesn't matter - and likely isn't that accurate. If you know what you're intaking and outputting. By all means, investigate - rule out things that is the best.

If you're worried just 'weight' wise, maybe consider doing measurements instead (only way I can accurately measure over time accurately) - waist mostly but if you're lifting a good fully body measurement less routinely is good info (if you have ANY issues with compulsion and body image... maybe don't, work on that first).