Connect
← Return to Anyone try bioidentical hormones to combat/treat osteoporosis?
Discussion
Anyone try bioidentical hormones to combat/treat osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Sep 29 12:02am | Replies (97)Comment receiving replies
This is very encouraging, thank you for sharing. I saw my endocrinologist and I had very little change from my Dexa 17 months ago. Spine is -3, was -2.9, hips not in Osteoporosis. She wants to put me on Evenity and then Reclast after. I asked about HRT and she was very honest and said she knew nothing about it for treating Osteoporosis and that she can't even prescribe it, it would have to be my gynecologist. I am very reluctant to go on any of the other meds. Those who have done HRT, did you get a cardio exam or anything before? Family history of heart disease and I've had high cholesterol although I was able to miraculously get it to 200 this summer. I am 5'2 and weigh 98 to 100 most of the time.
Replies to "This is very encouraging, thank you for sharing. I saw my endocrinologist and I had very..."
Regarding heart health, I had a heart attack and my cardiologist said all women should be on HRT to protect their hearts. Apparently there is a connection between low oestrogen and heart attacks. Both my parents died of heart issues in their 50s. Hope this helps you.
I have been facing a similar decision and after a fair amount of research I have decided to go on a "patch" form of HRT with a Progesterone pill. I also do other things for my bone health: improved protein intake; weight training 4x weekly; jumping; improved gut health. From my research, improvement can happen but it takes effort in multiple areas. I am 59 so although I do have a strong family history of heart disease or stroke, my understanding is that HRT can be beneficial in that regard in my age group. I am also petite (5"1") and my understanding is that DXA can over-diagnose petite women. I have been following the work of Dr. Doug Lukas (online) and although I was skeptical at first I joined his online program for $35/mo. which truly provides a wealth of information. Since he promotes certain products I do take the information with a grain of salt and look at other research as well.
Connect
I did not have a cardio work up before going on HRT but did many years later. I have had high cholesterol for decades (245-285) but have refused statins as when I break down my cholesterol into it's various components, I have less concern (low LPa, low triglicerides, low oxidized LDL). I eventually had both a coronary CT angiogram and a coronary artery calcium scan and my calcium score was 0 on both. Even after all those decades of high cholesterol and familial heart disease. We make our hormones from cholesterol and I don't think it's necessarily the villain the medical community has made it out to be based on the saturated fat/cholesterol hypothesis of Ancel Keys back in the 50s, a theory that never had good scientific evidence to back it up.
So...I'm not suggesting that there is no risk as we just don't know definitively. I think it's prudent to have a thorough work up to see what your personal risk factors are so you can make an informed decision.
Some recent information from the Menopause Society's meta-analysis of studies on long term use of hormones and their benefits:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240910/Long-term-hormone-therapy-proves-valuable-for-older-women.aspx