I` m post op 47 years old mtf . I had my surgery on Jan 2009 .On July 2014 I had bone density measurement on spine and diagnosed osteoporosis (TSCORE:-2,7 ZSCORE:-2.2). My new endocrinologist blamed the previous doctor for nor leting me have sufficient estrogen, (I ve been taking estrogel (estradiol) daily since i had my srs) and prescribed me to duplicate estrogel (estradiol) and calcium and vitamin D supplements and saloprire daily to (prevent any thrombosis- blood clot ). I m very much depressed for having diagnosed osteoporosis so early and it would help me a lot if anyone has experienced this and if there is any chance to cure osteoporosis ? (My endocrinologist is very optimistic saying that it is totally reversable. O n feb 2015 I ll have my next measurement so we will have an image of the efficiency of this treatment or the need to switch to stronger anti osteoporosis treatment.
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Oh my gosh I'm so sorry you're going through this! I keep reading about so many women post op that aren't getting the right amount of estrogen because their docs saying that they don't need as much anymore..I hope your new doc is able to help you. I don't really have much to add other than to add my support, I hope you start feeling better soon!
Thanks for all the support and positive vibes Lady oracle.I wish you merry xmas and happy new year.
I have osteopenia which is a slightly less than osteoporosis level. I stopped HRT on my own 5 years after my surgery, and recently re-started after 20 years because I was feeling weak in the bones, confirmed by DEXA. I am on Calcium/d/E since I am not a good candidate for alendronate which is a bone re-mineralization drug. After 6 months on E my doc sent me to an endo to validate levels and discuss alternatives besides weight bearing exercise and the above supplements. My E level was 49 (up from 5 when I was off E completely) and the endo said to stay the course and check with another DEXA at 1 year.
I don't know what advice to give you except to get in the best physical shape you can. I started doing yoga and cardio (running) and it seems to be helping a lot with balance and flexibility. I'll know more in May at 1 year. I've heard about a school of thought that it may not be E level but HGH levels that are causing the problem. I will discuss that with my endo, especially if my density gets worse.
I wish I could find an endo who is up on trans issues, my current one was shocked when I came out to her, and after an hour of 'she' during the appt before I came out, she misgendered me in the lobby as I left. Sheesh, is it any wonder I don't tell people?
A comprehensive exercise program includes all of the following:
weight-bearing exercise
strength training exercise
posture training
balance training and
stretching
For me, Yoga hits all of these, though I think for the same time running on the elliptical, I get less top-to-bottom weight bearing exercise in yoga so I do both. I also need to lose weight so the cardio helps accelerate that.
Good luck!
Thanks for support and advice ReDucks, I never stopped exercise and maybe that is why I have never felt weakness at any alarm level. Unfortunately my sciatica doesn`t allow ne to do all that I would like to, but I m working on all that is possible in a daily basis, including long walks, jogging, small weights etc. As soon as I ll have my new DEXA on February I ll come up with the news here , cause I consider osteoporosis a very imp[ortant issue and a real threat for MTF post op people , mainly because of endos` ignorance on how much esrtogen we need and the confusion with the amounts of estrogen prescribed as safe for women of the same age, that is definitely not our case.
Kissez and happy new year
patricia lee, thanks for the good wishes, I hope things look better for you in Feb. I had a heck of a time figuring out what proper protocols are for post op women, especially older ones. All the studies I found said stay on HRT for life, but nobody says what dosage or levels should be except for 'normal' levels. Of course Endos are so brainwashed to fear HRT, that they try to keep me at the minimal level of 'normal'. It is amazing how important the right levels are to your psyche and body.
Happy New year to you!
I started estrogen at age 17, had SRS at 24, and continued on oral estrogen until my mid 40s when my family doctor took me off. By my late 50s, something didn't seem right so I asked for a referral to a knowledgeable endocrinologist and she was appalled that I had been off of estrogen for so long. She immediately started me on the estrogen patch to bring my serum levels up to pre-menopausal levels and ordered a bone density scan. She was right - I had osteoporosis. With 5 years on the patch, calcium, vitamin D, and an exercise program my bone density had returned to normal. When I asked how long I should continue on the patch, she said that if I quit, the osteoporosis WILL come back.
Thanks Jane, that is so good to hear. I'm hoping for the same result myself.
Thanx Jane.That`s good news. My edocrinologist said the same thing. Osteo will return to normal levels for my age and if I have to worry about something, this is for when I will have to stop estrogen at some time over 60 years old. Hope I ll be on estrogen for as long as possible!!!!