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@kshea2 I started BHRT at age 67 9 months ago. I found a naturopath certified by the N.A. Menopause Society very knowledgeable about OP and qualified to prescribe HRT. The Naturopath told me that the HRT would stop further bone loss progression of and possibly provide some small gains as long as I remain on the HRT. I had lost bone density at a staggering rate (one year on high dose Prednisone) over a four year period with a DEXA spine score of -2.8 in November 2019 to-3.5 in November 2023. I began following Keith McCormick's "Great Bones" diet and supplement recommendations in December, 2023. A REMS Echolight bone scan showed me at spine T score -3 in April prior to starting the BHRT in July, but Echolight scans often show better scores from what others report so the -3 likely doesn't mean a .5 improvement from 6 months previous. I had a follow-up Echolight scan last month, 8 months after starting BHRT and 10 months after my previous Echolight. My spine T score was -2.6. I feel fairly confident that my bone loss progression has stopped which is a win for me, but I am waiting for a booked DEXA with TBS to cover all my bases. I will post these results when I receive them. I have so far not fractured and the Echolight shows my fracture risk just above low into the moderate range. I am anxious to compare what the TBS says about my bone quality. I hope to avoid medication as I have suffered severe side effects from other medications. However, I am a realist. If my bone loss continues to plummet again, I am open to considering an anabolic.
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This is fantastic information, thank you! Your results look very encouraging. I was not aware of the NA Society, so will leverage that source to help find a provider.
I'm just turning 62 and had a dexa in December, 2024 which showed Spine -2.9 (Osteoporosis) /Total Hip -1.8/Femoral Neck -1.8 T-Scores (osteopenia) . Unfortunately one week later I fainted, fell and experienced a compression fracture in T12. January, 2025 I had a Echolight scan which showed Spine -2.2 (Osteopenia)/Femur -2.5/Right-2.9 (Osteoporosis). Fragility scores are in the green zone. I know you can't really compare these types of scans 1:1, but it's a bit confusing.
I've taken Vitamin D for years and have now added K2 and Magneium. I'm working hard to get more calcium through diet. I'm very nervous about the drug therapies and believe HRT could also help with sleep and couple other post menopause issues I experience.
Hoping I can find a provider in the Minneapolis area that is open to this approach. I'm looking forward to hearing your updates! Thanks again!
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I am in the exact same position, avoiding medicines at all cost. My endocrinologist is not happy about that as she does not believe in any alternative medicine. I told her if my bones start to really decrease then I will consider meds. I have been holding at worst -2.2 after hormone replacement treatment, My forearm is -4 which it has been for the past 20 years. I don’t even know if most doctors measure the forearm, My doctor is going off of that one score. I pray every day that I remain steadfast in my numbers and they continue to at least stay the same if not improve. As I have mentioned before on this site, my doctor wanted me to go on Prolia 15 years ago!!!! I can’t imagine where I would be today if I did that. My numbers are better now than they were then as far as the DEXA, but I did supplements and exercise, etc., and the HRT.