Transdermal HRT

Posted by vkmov @vkmov, Oct 19, 2023

Many studies have found that transdermal HRT protects and builds bone without all the horrific side effects of many first-line osteoporosis treatments. The patch bypasses the liver and thereby avoids the risks of breast cancer, strokes, etc. Has anyone explored this or discussed it with their doctors?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

hollymarie54 | @hollymarie54 | Jan 27 11:21am

This is all so helpful. Thank you to all! I'm 54 and diagnosed with osteoporosis end of Oct (randomly asked for DEXA at my summer physical). I'm 54 and reasonably fit, so this came as a surprise to me. I'm currently working with an endo to confirm there isn't something causing me to get osteo so "young". I've been considering HRTs since Oct (been doing a ton of research) but have been hesitant due to WHI a long time ago! Based on your comments, I'm contacting my doc today to get HRTs started.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jan 27 1:17pm

In reply to @patwerthman "So treating bone density with HRT?" + (show)

I have been taking meds for osteoporosis:
Forteo, alendronate, evenity and one injection of Prolia. My intention is to have one more injection of Prolia to lock in gains from evenity. I anticipate that the bhrt will enhance bone but I don't expect it to go beyond that. If it did I would be delighted but I am clear that I will need osteoporosis meds
Until I die if I don't want fractures.

teb | @teb | Jan 27 1:49pm

In reply to @patwerthman "Gotcha. I asked for HRT and both my primary and the endocrinologist I saw said no...." + (show)

I took Forteo for two years and then went on HRT to maintain the gains. I'm not currently on any other medication for my osteoporosis.

patwerthman | @patwerthman | Jan 27 9:03pm

In reply to @gravity3 "I have been taking meds for osteoporosis: Forteo, alendronate, evenity and one injection of Prolia. My..." + (show)

Thank you. I hope you can stay away from fractures as well.

sonodeka | @sonodeka | Jan 28 10:41am

In reply to @patwerthman "Gotcha. I asked for HRT and both my primary and the endocrinologist I saw said no...." + (show)

I have osteopenia in hips and just crossed into osteoporosis in the spine. I'm hoping the transdermal patch, currently .0375, and micronized progesterone, will help me stabilize bone loss and buy me some time before needing a bone med, or perhaps (!) help me avoid them in the future. That in conjunction with exercise, diet and supplements... Time will tell!

patwerthman | @patwerthman | Jan 28 1:48pm

In reply to @sonodeka "I have osteopenia in hips and just crossed into osteoporosis in the spine. I'm hoping the..." + (show)

Oh yes. Sounds like you are in a good plan. Crossing my fingers I can get there also

karhma34 | @karhma34 | 5 days ago

In reply to @teb "Thank you for sharing that information. I will give it some time to see if my..." + (show)

Hi teb, have you been able to maintain (or build) bone density with the HRT since going off Forteo 4 years ago? I'm 68 and was diagnosed with the beginnings of osteoporosis (-2.5). I had been on a low dose of HRT for many years but recently switched to the patch (0.5). I had a severely bad reaction to one dose of alendronate last fall so am going at this with exercise, diet, supplements, etc. all the usual. Also am hoping the patch will be more effective than the pill was. I know it's certainly safer (and I'm quite angry with all the doctors who never told me this but instead tired to get me to go off HRT completely - all women ironically). Thank you for the info. Again, wanting to know if you've had any loss since stopping Forteo. Thanks.

osteoresearch | @osteoresearch | 4 days ago

I too would be interested in post forte using HRT to maintain. Please let us know.

teb | @teb | 3 days ago

In reply to @karhma34 "Hi teb, have you been able to maintain (or build) bone density with the HRT since..." + (show)

@karhma, I've mostly maintained in the 6 years since I've been off Forteo. There has been some loss in individual vertebrae which concerns me but yet the T-score calculation remains the same at 2.9 which I don't quite understand. My endo couldn't explain it, saying it's just an algorithm. I was on a .025 patch and at my gynecologist's urging (and because I was nervous about the loss), I increased to .05 a few months ago. I just had labs done and my CTX is very low. I had asked my endo for a P1NP test as well but he wouldn't order it. I would have liked to have seen a comparison to the CTX and to my previous numbers. Over the last couple of years, I've increased my weight training and am pushing heavier weights than I ever have in my life. I also do 4 dance classes a week, 20 minutes of core daily, hike/walk 3-4 miles when not in dance class so that may have helped as well though I was always active, I'm just more focused and diligent now. I'm seeing my endo in June so over the next couple of months, I'll be doing a dexa and will post here with the results.

karhma34 | @karhma34 | 2 days ago

In reply to @teb "@karhma, I've mostly maintained in the 6 years since I've been off Forteo. There has been..." + (show)

@teb thank you so much for the response. If you are looking for lab tests such as the P1NP, I found a place called Ulta Lab Tests where you can purchase just about any test yourself. They match you up with a local lab for the blood draw. I am actually having this done later this week. Of course you have to pay for them yourself and also interpret the results yourself unless you want to take them to your specialist. I'm inspired by your workout regimen - I'll have to up my game. Thanks again.