HRT Safety

Thanks for recommending "Great Bones", Yes I have read the entire 700 page book which was worth every page! That book has a vast amount of vitally important information I couldn't navigate this situation without. I know Keith McCormick doesn't promote HRT for women my age, with such low score and recommends it for prevention rather than regaining. There seems to be new information lately about the benefits and safety of HRT even for women long past menopause. I recently watched an interview with McCormick in which he states he has changed his position somewhat on HRT. I'm not hopeful the HRT can reverse my loss but hope it may stop the progression. My REMS Echolight fragility score showed incredibly that my bone quality was still on the border of green zone low fracture risk which may explain the mystery of why I haven't fractured yet with spine at -3.5! The REMS results were similar to DXA at -3 spine and -2.6 total hip compared to DXA at -3.5 spine and -2.5 total hip. I'm hoping with some quality of bone remaining and avoiding a fall I may be able to cope. I hope to start HRT in the near future with naturopath who specializes in it and menopause, but haven't consulted with her yet so not sure what she will recommend. I will have another DXA in 6 months, a year from my last. The internal medicine doctor from the Osteoporosis Clinic in Vancouver recommended Evenity which is at least an anabolic I would want. I would have wanted Tymlos if I chose a medication, but it appears Tymlos isn't available in Canada. I have read many of your posts on Tymlos which have been so informative and helpful for me. Thank you so much for sharing all your experience. The doctor said Forteo is available for a mere $12,000.00 a year! Evenity costs $8000.00. But even the cost is not my first reason for wanting to try all my options first. I may eventually book a video appointment with Keith McCormick if he still offers this. (Far less expensive than the medication costs!) Thank you again for responding.

Any reason to not be able to take hrt at age 82?

Any reason to not be able to take hrt at age 82?

@debbie1956 I haven’t read this entire thread, my apologies on that, but am fascinated by your story and am wondering if you have posted an update on what you chose to do? Evenity? Some type of HRT-what are or were your options? Any success or improvements on your Dexa scores?

@patwerthman
Thank you for responding to my post. It's amazing for me to read it again. It's been quite a journey after two years. After a lot of research and consultation with others, I opted for the BHRT at age 67 almost two years ago. I found a Menopause Society certified functional medicine doctor who prescribed it after assessing me for risks. My CTX was at 688 before the BHRT and decreased to 138 when I retested 8 months later, so my bone resorption rate was greatly reduced. My REMS Echolight showed a slight gain from spine -3 to -2.6 also 8 months later. I was also taking supplements and following diet recommendations by Keith McCormick which may have played some part. I am still on the Estradiol .025 patch with micronized progesterone 100 mg nightly. I have no negative side effects, just mild feeling of calm and better sleep. I am due for another Echolight and DEXA so will see how things are holding up. Just stopping the progression of bone loss was a big win for me, so the slight gain was a big bonus!

@patwerthman
Thank you for responding to my post. It's amazing for me to read it again. It's been quite a journey after two years. After a lot of research and consultation with others, I opted for the BHRT at age 67 almost two years ago. I found a Menopause Society certified functional medicine doctor who prescribed it after assessing me for risks. My CTX was at 688 before the BHRT and decreased to 138 when I retested 8 months later, so my bone resorption rate was greatly reduced. My REMS Echolight showed a slight gain from spine -3 to -2.6 also 8 months later. I was also taking supplements and following diet recommendations by Keith McCormick which may have played some part. I am still on the Estradiol .025 patch with micronized progesterone 100 mg nightly. I have no negative side effects, just mild feeling of calm and better sleep. I am due for another Echolight and DEXA so will see how things are holding up. Just stopping the progression of bone loss was a big win for me, so the slight gain was a big bonus!

@patwerthman
Thank you for responding to my post. It's amazing for me to read it again. It's been quite a journey after two years. After a lot of research and consultation with others, I opted for the BHRT at age 67 almost two years ago. I found a Menopause Society certified functional medicine doctor who prescribed it after assessing me for risks. My CTX was at 688 before the BHRT and decreased to 138 when I retested 8 months later, so my bone resorption rate was greatly reduced. My REMS Echolight showed a slight gain from spine -3 to -2.6 also 8 months later. I was also taking supplements and following diet recommendations by Keith McCormick which may have played some part. I am still on the Estradiol .025 patch with micronized progesterone 100 mg nightly. I have no negative side effects, just mild feeling of calm and better sleep. I am due for another Echolight and DEXA so will see how things are holding up. Just stopping the progression of bone loss was a big win for me, so the slight gain was a big bonus!

@patwerthman
Thank you for responding to my post. It's amazing for me to read it again. It's been quite a journey after two years. After a lot of research and consultation with others, I opted for the BHRT at age 67 almost two years ago. I found a Menopause Society certified functional medicine doctor who prescribed it after assessing me for risks. My CTX was at 688 before the BHRT and decreased to 138 when I retested 8 months later, so my bone resorption rate was greatly reduced. My REMS Echolight showed a slight gain from spine -3 to -2.6 also 8 months later. I was also taking supplements and following diet recommendations by Keith McCormick which may have played some part. I am still on the Estradiol .025 patch with micronized progesterone 100 mg nightly. I have no negative side effects, just mild feeling of calm and better sleep. I am due for another Echolight and DEXA so will see how things are holding up. Just stopping the progression of bone loss was a big win for me, so the slight gain was a big bonus!

@debbie1956 , this is good news. May I ask what tests were done to assess risks?