Bone Coach - How do you know it works?

I am beginning my journey with bioidentical hormones at age 72 which have been prescribed by my cardiologist. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 38 and did a short stint on synthetic hormones. 4 years ago I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, tried the natural route for 2 years with no improvements. Went on Tymlos and had an 11% spine improvement. I now have been on Tymlos for 2 years so my protocol is now over. Since my blood work shows very minimal hormones across the board, my cardiologist suggested bioidentical hormones to not only help with all the hormone deficiencies I have but to help with maintaining the gains I had with Tymlos.
Many doctors still use the research from the early 2000’s to refuse HRT therapy. My doc has done extensive research and attended many medical studies on HRT replacement and feels confident that we need hormones as we age to continue to be and feel healthy. I’m trusting him but have done much research myself and feel confident I’m make the right choice. This journey is not easy but we have many tools to be our own advocates for our health.

I am beginning my journey with bioidentical hormones at age 72 which have been prescribed by my cardiologist. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 38 and did a short stint on synthetic hormones. 4 years ago I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, tried the natural route for 2 years with no improvements. Went on Tymlos and had an 11% spine improvement. I now have been on Tymlos for 2 years so my protocol is now over. Since my blood work shows very minimal hormones across the board, my cardiologist suggested bioidentical hormones to not only help with all the hormone deficiencies I have but to help with maintaining the gains I had with Tymlos.
Many doctors still use the research from the early 2000’s to refuse HRT therapy. My doc has done extensive research and attended many medical studies on HRT replacement and feels confident that we need hormones as we age to continue to be and feel healthy. I’m trusting him but have done much research myself and feel confident I’m make the right choice. This journey is not easy but we have many tools to be our own advocates for our health.

It sounds like you have a very supportive and well informed doctor. That’s great. I have just started looking for research on HRT for women over 65 (I am almost 72). Any pointers?

Hi karen, could you share any studies you find re hrt for women over 65? I'm 67, on Forteo, and considering hrt as follow up med.

Hi karen, could you share any studies you find re hrt for women over 65? I'm 67, on Forteo, and considering hrt as follow up med.

dooshie, one other question. Where are you located?

dooshie, is your cardiologist specialize in female cardiology? or just a normal cardiologist? Interesting that your cardiologist is a male.

Hi karen, could you share any studies you find re hrt for women over 65? I'm 67, on Forteo, and considering hrt as follow up med.

@leeosteo here is one related to hrt timing and cvd risk https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1505241#:~:text=Oral%20estradiol%20therapy%20was%20associated,or%20more%20years%20after%20menopause.

"CONCLUSIONS
Oral estradiol therapy was associated with less progression of subclinical atherosclerosis (measured as CIMT) than was placebo when therapy was initiated within 6 years after menopause but not when it was initiated 10 or more years after menopause. Estradiol had no significant effect on cardiac CT measures of atherosclerosis in either postmenopause stratum"

This is also what my obgyn told me: no cv benefits if hrt initiated 10yr after onset of menopause when compared to hrt therapy initiated closer to pm.

As far as cardiologist is concerned, I'd say you start to get all the necessary labs and tests done with your current cardiologist and be followed closely for a year or two, during which time find another cardiologist who'd be a good candidate for a second opinion. By the time when you finishing up your forteo, you'd know whether or not hrt is suitable for you.

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0115/p525a.html
One more.