HRT Safety

@babs10 , Thanks for posting this Osteoboston video!

@mayblin , I confused you with someone else with this reply meant for you: Regarding my A1c response to Berberine, I have little doubt the Berberine reduced it from 5.6 to 5.2, however, I have kept it below 6 with a low carb, mediterranean type diet, and Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement, also known to lower glucose levels, for several years after prediabetic diagnosis. I take other supplements which likely help as well, but there was a dramatic drop again after Berberine when I had changed nothing else during 6 months of taking it prior to testing A1c. The fact that my LDL and triglycerides also took a significant drop pointed strongly to the Berberine.

Hi Debbie - I get my lipid profile done next week and if my numbers are still high, I was going to try Berberine. What brand do you use?

Hi Debbie. Yes, HRT is controversial for sure. Like I mentioned, my cardiologist is all for it, despite the WHI studies. He just commented that because of the elevated risk of breast/cervical cancer and the slight chances of blood clots in lungs/legs, it might be best not to risk taking it as I have other alternatives. I’m still not convinced I shouldn’t go on it after I finish my teraparatide therapy, but I must say I’m reticent more from the blood clot point of view. What did your prescribing doctor say about the risks of the low dose patch? I’d love to hear more about that.

Hi @loplady , The brand of Berberine I use is "Preferred Nutrition" It is third party tested.

@lynn59 The doctor said there were some increased risks at my age of 67. I can't recall exact wording. She said blood vessels at my age I believe were stiffer and less receptive to estrogen, but that I could still benefit. She said confidently that the HT would stop further bone loss and may or may not build a little bone back. She has referred me for a coronary artery test to check for atherosclerosis build up. She also mentioned that estrogen could feed a breast cancer development but not start it, though she was more focused on cardiovascular health. I've only had one one hour consult so will ask more questions next month. I'll have another DEXA in November, a year from last, so will see if it's helping then.

Interesting. I’d love to learn more about what she thinks your risks are, as we sound quite similar, and none of my doctors want me on it despite how much I wanted to go on it. I’m 65 and 17 years post menopause, and you are 67 and 14 years post menopause. I’m quite healthy except for osteoporosis. There is a history of heart problems in my family though and because of my rising cholesterol my cardiologist has scheduled a CT scan to check my arteries. I guess that is the same test you are getting? Or is it a different one? I’m not familiar with heart stuff as I’ve had no need to know:)

FYI-Dr. McCormick retired in June.

A bit off topic but coronary artery tests have been mentioned twice here. I have osteoporosis w/7 spinal fractures, cervical and lumbar stenosis, afib and chronic kidney disease. My cardiologist wants to test my arteries for narrowing because I had left arm pain with one afib episode.

I appreciate his caution but I am unable to do any of the tests. I tried the treadmill stress test w/EKG and the technician kept telling me it made no difference when I stopped. I stopped because of impact in my spine (cervical and thoracic mainly). Two weeks later I am still in pain. Turns out I had reached 79% of the heart rate the cardiologist wanted and he wanted me to do it again.

I said that might be hard on my spine, and the NP asked if I could do a bike while supine for an echo stress test. No!!!! CT would involve contrast and I cannot do any contrast due to kidneys (and sensitivity to it).

For those of you with osteoporosis, were you able to manage any stress tests? I suppose before my latest fractures I might have but honestly the big problem is my longstanding neck issues. There was a time when I got out of the car if the road was bumpy and avoided shaking hands. Basically running on the hard surface of the treatmill was torture. My risk is very low.

@osteoresearch I just called McCormick's office. He is NOT retired for osteoporosis. He is no longer doing chiropractic work. No doubt he is too busy with osteoporosis.

I hope you can correct that so that noone gets the wrong idea!