for those on hrt only - have you had an increase in bmd?

• By Chris53
• Reply 3455870
• October 13, 2012 at 5:46 pm
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I have been on HRT (estrogen only) since 1997. I don't think there's any way to know if my DEXA scores would have been worse had I not been on it. I had a total hysterectomy at that time so I am thinking it very well could be worse now if I had not taken it. My scores on the NTX have gotten better since adding in more magnesium, taking milk basic protein, added boron, and Vit K2 MK7. I am still on a very low dose of estrogen, and I plan to continue to take it. I also began concentrating on taking care of my gut which could be increasing the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and supplements.

• By alwaysgrateful
• Reply 3456748 · In reply to 3455870 by Chris53
• October 14, 2012 at 6:40 am
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Chris53,

Regarding "I also began concentrating on taking care of my gut which could be increasing the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and supplements."

What were your issues, and what did you to to address them? I have the feeling I may not be absorbing everything as much as possible.

Thanks,
Uma

• By sadgirl
• Reply 3457462
• October 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm
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thanks for your response chris. i'm curious like uma to see how you're addressing your 'gut'!

i had the same idea to address my gut for malabsorption because of my allergies to food and some supplements....

i basically cut out all calcium supplements because they really wrecked havoc on my system, i'm eating a probiotic yogurt daily, and started taking low doses of biotin....and really just am taking vita d, no other supplements period - i'm getting all the other nutrients through my diet (including magnesium, k and strontium)....

quite frankly, i just got my dexa back after 2 years and noticed a change - the scores didn't get better :(, but the crazy annual drop between 2-5% was arrested....i'll take it! (for now)....

i think it was a combination of my hormones finally leveling off (i'm in my 6th year of menopause), eliminating the calcium supplements and the high dose they told me to take! (now i only take 80% rda via food only) and i started eating potatoes because our bones are comprised of phosphorus as well....i also narrowed in on the bones that have off the chart scores with excercises.....

it would be a miracle if what i did had anything to do with arresting the scores - but you never know!

now i just have to figure out how to 'build bone'!

• By Chris53
• Reply 3457710
• October 14, 2012 at 2:28 pm
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Uma & sadgirl, I have IBS, and I recently started taking VSL#3 which is a high potency probiotic for people with crohn's disease and IBS. It really seems to be helping. I also had a organic acids test and food allergy test preformed and I am avoiding all the foods I showed a sensitivity to. I feel much better, have more energy, and don't wake up every morning with a stomach ache and diahrrea. I ate yogart for years and thought that was a good thing because it is healthy. Turns out I have a sensitivity to all dairy, particularly yogart. When I cut out dairy, gluten, and cut way back on sugar I started feeling better. I also feel so much better on the estrogen. I use the Femring (estrogen) which also supports my bladder.

• By Thomaseena
• Reply 3500292
• October 29, 2012 at 9:14 pm
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I have been on estrogen therapy (no progesterone as I had a hysterectomy 12 years ago) along with Miacalcin nasal spray. The doctor said it would not increase the bone density, but would help to prevent it from getting worse.