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Anyone over 60 starting hrt? Looking for doc in Midwest
I'm over 60 but within ten years of menopause and have excellent cardiovascular health. I've never taken hrt. I was just diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism (improving with Vit D) and osteoporosis, despite exercising regularly and eating healthy. I have other less serious but troubling issues likely related to the loss of estrogen. I'd like to start hrt to try to help with all of this and because of updated info on the benefits. The general guidelines from menopause groups say "yes" to hrt up to age 60 for those without risk factors, and "no" thereafter. So far, I haven't found a doc willing to take a more nuanced approach, which I believe the studies support, especially for those under age 65 and within ten years of menopause. I am on the waitlist for May for a menopause specialist, with no guarantees for an appointment or a script for hrt. Anyone in the midwest, esp near St. Louis Mo have the name of a doc who prescribed hrt for the first time for someone age 60 or over?
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@gigglemama
I had to go the functional medicine route. I think some providers and medical systems cant shake loose from the flawed women's health initiative study. My original medicare and supplemental does not pay for the pellet (in my case estradiol/testosterone).
My part d does cover estradiol patches vaginal estradiol cream and progesterone but does noy pay for the compounded testosterone cream that i used to take. I prefer the pellet due to eade and I don't have to remember too many things. The pellet lasts 12 weeks.
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Let me know if you need more info
@dalexis00 I will be moving back to Loveland soon. Have you heard anything about them starting bhrt for osteoporosis. I am also in my 70's. I am thinking of starting it here in Florida but want a good place to continue in Colorado.
@sondrachristo1 what did your doctor do for test before you started HRT? I am 60 with minimal menapause symptoms still but I am interested in HRT for bone loss, mental health, weight gain. I had one doctor prescribe a pill but never took any test so I am concerned to start it not knowing what she is treating me for. It’s all so confusing
@pdhuston the doctor ran simple blood test to check for levels, however, there are saliva testing and urine testing as well, which I believe is called the DUTCH test.
I was originally started on an estrogen patch and because I have a uterus, I also took a progesterone pill. Also vaginal estrogen.
Note that since the time I first talked about this, I had to stop all treatment with the exception of the vaginal estrogen which is not systemic and does not cause me any side effects. I was so disappointed.
The progesterone led to severe acid flux and even worse I began having fainting spells and serious heart racing. My doctor immediately stopped the progesterone, only temporarily, to see if this was the cause. While the acid reflux and fainting spells stopped, the heart racing continued to get worse. My cardiologist even put me on a 7 day heart monitor. My cardiologist believed the estrogen was the cause since it was the only thing different in my routine. I stopped it and immediately the heart racing stopped.
I was very disappointed, but grateful nothing else came of it.
I know it’s not easy to find a doctor to help with this, but maybe now that the black box warning has been lifted and the WHI study has clearly been debunked, women will start getting the help we deserve when it comes to our specific health needs.
Good luck,
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2 ReactionsThanks for all the info. I’m sure you were disappointed. Navigating all this info is a lot! I do not have a Gynecologist so maybe that is where I should start.