Is anyone familiar with treating osteoporosis with estrogen? I have been reading it used to be the standard treatment and was abandoned because of various negative implications. Now I’m reading low-dose estrogen is not really a problem but does help protect bones. All of this reading is through NIH, Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Health.
Last time I tried to add a link I was not allowed but it should not be difficult to find the information if you are interested.
If you have any personal knowledge of estrogen treatment of osteoporosis please let me know. Thanks!
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Bella-2022
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When I went off of a very small dose of HRT, my osteoporosis increased significantly. After much research and seeing several doctors I decided to go back on it. Too early to evaluate the results.
I haven't done HRT, and for some annoying reason, my endocrinologist never even offered it as an option. I took alendronate for 1.5 yrs had issues with it and I stopped taking it in July 2021. When I had my 2nd bone density test, there were no satistically significant improvements in my t-scores after having used alendronate. In November 2021, after a 4 month drug-free holiday, I had my 1st zoledronic acid infusion. I haven't experienced any major side effects from the zoledronic acid, yet, thank goodness, but after getting the infusion I really started doing more research on osteoporosis.
When I was first diagnosed with osteoporosis, I told my GP that I preferred not to take meds (in general). She recommended that I discuss the issue with my endocrinologist. I'd been seeing an endocrinologist since 2017. That is the year I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypothyroidism). I take 75 mcg of levothyroxine daily.
I asked my endocrinologist if there were any natural ways to reverse bone loss. He gave the standard "light weights, walk, take calcium and vitamin D" response, which isn't nearly enough and I was already doing all of those things. He also said my bones were "horrible" and he pushed me toward meds. I followed his advice because I really didn't know what else to do. That was in January 2020.
After getting the zoledronic acid infusion, I started researching osteoporosis and that is when I learned that for several decades there has been evidence of people reversing their bone loss naturally. Why didn't my endocrinologist mention any of this to me? Your guess is as good as mine. I have made several changes to my exercise program (including joining a gym so I can lift heavier weights) and to my diet.
Although my encrinologists plan was for me to have a 2nd zoledronic acid infusion in November of this year (2022), I am not planning on getting it. I am going to have a DEXA in November so I can see if the zoledronic acid had any effect on my bones. Note, I have made a lot of changes so if my t-scores do show improvement in November, I won't be able to say if it's all because of the zoledronic acid or all because of the changes that I have made or if both played a part.
I am debating starting HRT after I get my DEXA results. From the link I posted above and from a few others who have posted on this website, it seems like HRT can really help increase bone density and it seems like the easiest and safest way to go. However, I've also seen posts stating that as soon as ppl have stopped HRT, they lose bone. Also, there is a part of me that really just wants to see if I can improve my bones taking nothing. I am dedicated and willing to do the work and I've already made a number of changes and have plans to make more changes. For instance, I'm planning to work with a trainer and start doing deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts in November (again I am waiting for 1 year after the zoledronic acid infusion to do this). I'm also planning to find a new endocrinologist and having her monitor bone turnover markers (urine tests) to make sure that I'm not losing excessive amounts of bone while I am trying to "fix" my bones on my own.
I'm currently reading Better Bones, Better Body by Dr. Susan E. Brown (betterbones.com). I highly recommend the book. She seems to think that HRT isn't necessary to reverse osteoporosis, which again makes me want to see if I can just reverse it on my own, but I haven't fully made up my mind so I might try HRT. Regardless, from everthing I have read, HRT seems like a much better alternative to bisphosphonates and other osteo-meds.
Bella-2022, look into adding boron, magnesium and annatto tocotrienol along with vitamin K2 to your protocol. Each of these bring to the table what you need for health bones and more. These links offer a jumping off point to reseach further. One of the interesting feature found in the first link on boron is it's effect on estrogen. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.
Hi Bella-2022, here is a good overview of the current thinking on use of hormone therapy to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis. mdedge.com/obgyn/article/25...
One of the doctors quoted in the article, Risa Kagan MD, is a member of the American Bone Health Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. She is open to prescribing estrogen as a first-line treatment for osteoporosis, though more for women in the 50-60 range. Apparently, the risks start to outweigh the benefits as you get further out from menopause.
It's an interesting topic because as Dr. Kagan says, it's coming full circle after a few decades when HRT fell out of favor.
Edit: Note that the first paragraph of this article mentions that the American College of Physicians does not recommend HRT as a treatment. Keep in mind that the ACP (which represents general practitioners/internists) is known to be VERY conservative in its recommendations compared to specialist societies.
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