Another update

[Asniceasme]

Well, things have progressed to the point where, after getting my bloodwork back today, I could have started HRT today. YIPPEE!!! However, it is delayed, because of my blood pressure, and the doctor doesn't want to do anything until I can get it down. He wants me to lose as much weight as possible, and exercise more, over the next two weeks. If I don't get the blood pressure down to a "safe" level, I have to start medication for it, which will delay the start of HRT. But at least despite my weight, my blood sugar is fine, and cholesterol is fine. The doctor did ask me whether I was already taking estrogen...maybe I already have a slightly elevated estrogen level?

[Brenda E]

Spiro reduces blood pressure, but I suppose if your blood pressure is elevated, it's best to sort out the problem rather than just mask it with medication.  Sounds like you have a good doc who is making sure you're staying healthy in general.  A couple of weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Any ideas what's causing the elevated blood pressure?

I'd cut out salt for the next two weeks, no booze, lots of exercise, eat some bananas, etc.  The usual suspects.

[Asniceasme]

I admit that at one stage my alcohol intake was quite a lot more than it should have been...I was sometimes drinking nearly three large bottles of beer a day, some of it before I even started work. But since I started this new job about four weeks ago, I would be lucky to have had three bottles during that time.

I hadn't thought of bananas, fortunately I like them. For me though, it is onto diet soft drinks for the next two weeks as well, and cutting back my serving sizes...and more exercise of course