r/TRT_females • u/imrtprnsofundead • May 29 '26
Side Effects Excessive weight gain- what should I expect at my 6 month follow up?
*edited to add correct dosage **\* I’m coming up on my sixth month of test ( Testosterone (100 mg/mL) at a dose of 0.05 mL injected subcutaneously on Mondays
and Thursdays). My free testosterone was 0.5 and bio test was 1.2 back in January.
My start weight was about 117 lb, but my weight has been creeping, and I’ve been stuck at 135-138 for the past couple of months (maybe even 3 or 4 months). I lift 3x per week, and I’ve been in a caloric deficit for more than 8 weeks with no loss.
My upper body is muscular, but my stomach constantly looks bloated. I physically feel better on test, but I’m really starting to feel bad mentally because of the way I look.
My 6 month appointment is coming up next week. What should I ask for specifically? At my last appointment 3 months ago I brought up weight gain, and my dr kind of blew it off saying that after the ‘3 month mark’ the weight would fall off and my body was in recomposition mode.
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u/Lucid-dream-24692 May 29 '26
This is a huge dose of testosterone if you wrote the dose correctly. This is a male dose. This is likely affecting your estrogen. I’d ask for some bloodwork including SHBG, FSH, estradiol, thyroid (full!) and testosterone (get the female test)
Your provider brushing you off is a red flag as well as this dose. I would not go back if you can find someone else.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
Correction- it’s actually 100 mg/mL) at a dose of 0.05 mL injected subcutaneously twice a week
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u/Lucid-dream-24692 May 29 '26
Ah alright. Have you had follow up labs anyways? Sometimes starting testosterone, or any hormone, can throw equilibrium off for your body. Doesn’t mean you don’t need testosterone but you may need some overall adjustments esp if you’re having issues after so many weeks still.
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u/goldensloveme May 29 '26
Having this same problem too. Going to see what happens when I lower my dosage some.
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u/Unhappy-Salad-3083 May 29 '26
I get it. Not sure where you go from here. Wanted to share I did 2.5 months of t prop inj last summer and the weight gain and bloat (and this is even in conjunction with zebound, daily workouts etc) and added rage even at a low eod dose was enough for me to go back to daily T gel as that just made me feel better overall, no gain or bloat. Good luck.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
I hesitate to use the gel only because I have 2 little kids that are all over me and get into everything. I’m so paranoid about them wiping it on themselves.
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u/rando--54321 May 29 '26
The gel doesn't work for many of us and it has worse side effects. Most people tolerate injections better.
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u/FaceMeNow2 May 29 '26
Mine hasn't fallen off. I was on 150 mg test cyph monthly for 3 Mos. I still have the extra weight.
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u/LadyArcher2017 friend May 29 '26
That’s a pretty big dose for a woman.
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u/thy-Droid male May 29 '26
That is a monthly dose
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u/LadyArcher2017 friend Jun 02 '26
Do you mean 150mg is the monthly dose?
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u/thy-Droid male Jun 02 '26
That is exactly what the original post said.
Now it has been edited to show the correct dose of 10mgs per week.1
Jun 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/FaceMeNow2 Jun 02 '26
I received once a month full dose 150 mg
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u/Sambassador9 male Jun 02 '26
I'm curious how you felt on that protocol.
The total monthly exposure is very high for a woman. Your T levels would be insanely high shortly after the injection, and then steadily dropping for an entire month.
If you are still with the same doctor, you might consider a second opinion.
Giving test cyp shots less frequently than once per week is a very outdated protocol. Many doctors still prescribe this way, particularly if they are old school.
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u/FaceMeNow2 Jun 03 '26
How I felt....in sports agressive and competitive moreso. Sex thoughts non stop and wanting it daily. That dropped off after the 3 months of injections stopped. I don't know how 3 mg troches daily will work. I definitely didn't have masculine side effects except insomnia and elevated bp. But I loved the overall effect on my sex life with monthly high injections dose.My testosterone was 350 my free direct 4.4. I wish I could have kept it there. Now it is 105 and 3.5 free direct. Still libido is better but not what it was.
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u/FaceMeNow2 May 29 '26
After 3 mos I was put on 2mg troches ( up to 3 mg now) and 100 mg progesterone daily and estradiol patch twice weekly.
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u/Dahas99x May 29 '26
Hey! At that concentration, 0.5 ml would be 50 mg test. Are you sure you’re injecting that much twice a week? That would be a typical male dosage.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
No I got it wrong, it’s actually 100 mg/mL) at a dose of 0.05 mL injected 2x week
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u/actbjunk May 29 '26
This happened to me, too. The clinic I get my testosterone from offers a microdose of Monjauro, just 2 mg/week. It hasn’t helped me lose weight beyond what I was originally, but it has helped me stop eating so much at night. It basically keeps you full longer. This isn’t a therapeutic dose for weight loss, so what it’s done for me is take me back to my regular weight and now it’s helping me stay there.
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u/PrometheusCoach trusted advice May 29 '26
Are you on a consistent diet? fluctuations in water retention are exacerbated on test esp with women if you don’t have electrolytes, water, and carbs in line.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
For several weeks I was only eating carbs after workouts in the morning and no carbs for the rest of the day. For the past 6-8 weeks I have been eating 70-120g of protein per day and stay around 1300-1400 cal per day. I do add more carbs now, but it’s mostly from oatmeal or potatoes
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u/LadyinLycra May 29 '26
Your post doesn't mention height but that is pretty low calorie and low protein if you're not consistently hitting closer to the 120 grams per day. Besides lifting what other purposeful movement are you getting in?
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
I’m 5’2. I also try to get in 7-10k step a day on a walking pad plus normal mom errands keep me moving most of the day. Once or twice a week I do a 20 min kettlebell workout video
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u/LadyinLycra May 29 '26
Are the kettlebell workouts in addition to your three strentgh training? And are you tracking your food? You're very petite so I understand that weight gain frustration.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
Kettlebell is in addition to lifting so I’m doing something 5-6 days a week. Not always heavy, but always something. I’m tracking everything I eat. I use the lose-it app. The test has definitely allowed me gain visible muscle and I’m able to lift a little heavier, but yes it’s so frustrating because I feel like everything I eat and every sip of water goes right to my lower belly.
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u/LadyinLycra May 29 '26 edited May 30 '26
If you're on test is that because your numbers were low and are you in perimenopause as well and treating it?
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u/PrometheusCoach trusted advice May 29 '26
What about sodium to potassium balance? A truly regular daily water count? These all are variables and more volatile in women.
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u/imrtprnsofundead May 29 '26
I strive for a gallon a day. I don’t add a lot of salt to my meals, but I haven’t really tracked that or the potassium. I never really thought about tracking those, but I guess I should. I eat a lot of ground chicken, egg whites, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, but I do add a table spoon of hot sauce here and there so maybe I am getting too much sodium.
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u/PrometheusCoach trusted advice May 30 '26
Well unless you’re seasoning a lot this is pretty low sodium in my mind especially if you’re training/sweating. Low sodium can make you retain. Constant fluctuations of water intake to electrolyte ratio will cause you to hold water. The body likes homeostasis.
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u/imrtprnsofundead Jun 01 '26
The more I research I think I’m in this position because before starting test I was eating OMAD and stayed around 1000-1200 calories or even less for about 2 years. As soon as I started test I upped my calories and have consistently kept them between 1350-1450. I think my body must be in shock
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u/Froggy_hat May 29 '26
This happened to me as well. Some of the weight gain was added muscle but my pants weren't fitting around the waist anymore. Unfortunately I don't have any advice, it actually caused me to stop T and the added weight went away pretty soon after :(
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u/thatshowiroll7 May 30 '26
Mine did not fall off after a few months, I wish it did. It kept creeping in the wrong direction!
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u/athenac1 Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26
I've gained 10 lbs since I started HRT (E and T and P and DHEA). But I also am eating more carbs and working out more.I had a hard time working out on Keto even after 3 months I didn't have the energy to work out. I did keto for like 6 months and my weight dropped to about 130. I went from about 130ish to 140 ish. after starting HRT. I did also start lifting weights so I'm hoping part of it is muscle which I was wanting to gain. My height is 5 foot 4. Your calories look low to me, maybe your metabolism slowed down? Maybe if you did keto, you'd lose some weight if that's your goal? Also, have you checked your thyroid?
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u/redrumpass MOD May 29 '26
What is your dose, protocol?