Just starting out on HRT and hit by Blood Pressure

[706Phoenix]

Have been on HRT for just two weeks and now gutted as my Blood pressure has gone skywards after waiting so long. I just had to tell some one as I am so gutted about this as I have had to stop my HRT . Now waiting to see what the Doctor will say

[AnonyMs]

The antiandrogen spironolactone should drop your blood pressure.

[Deborah]

Mine did the same and spiro seemed to have only marginal effect.  I have brought it down pretty low since then through a combination of exercise, diet, and meditation.  It's now the lowest it's been in my life.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[KayXo]

Studies have shown bio-identical estrogen to be favorable to blood pressure, more so if taken non-orally as it is a vasodilator and increases nitric oxide. Non bio-identical estrogen such as conjugated estrogens and ethinyl estradiol can have a negative effect on blood pressure, as can some progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) and perhaps cyproterone acetate (Androcur).

Spironolactone as well as bio-identical progesterone (Prometrium, Utrogestan, Cyclogest), albeit to a lesser extent, tend to lower blood pressure.

This is what I gathered from studies, so far. I'm no expert though.

Are you stressed since starting HRT? With any change, we tend to be a little more stressed. Also, was your blood pressure measured at a certain moment in time when you were particularly stressed/anxious? Was it restested in different conditions, like at home, a second and third time at doctor's office, etc?

I do hope your doctor took all the above into account. Keep us posted and good luck.

[JeanetteLW]

   Be of good cheer. Your doctor should be able to provide a solution in short order.  You should be back on HRT after he/she has had a chance to get your BP under control.

I was already taking meds for high blood pressure and something to slow a faster heart rate. My doctor had no problem adding the spironolactone as well. I suppose the BP has come down a little with it.

   Jeanette

[DawnOday]

I have had congestive heart failure and blood pressure problems since the early 90's. I take blood pressure medication (lisinopril). I have now been on estradiol for about 6 months, without any side effects. It will probably delay the onset of HRT until your BP stabilizes. Mine had been stable for the last year, so they didn't seem to balk at the idea. This is my experience. It could be different for you.

[DuchessBianca]

I understand how you feel though for me it seems to be in the complete opposite direction. 8.5 months HRT and my BP is always super low and many times I need to be careful when I get up as the overwhelming rush of blood causes me to near pass out. I eat about 3x daily sodium intake recommendations, always hydrated but my BP highs are barely 100/60 max and I wish I knew how what else I could do to raise my BP >_< Can't wait to get SRS one day and ditch the awful spiro >_<

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

Get on Spiro! I had to stop it because it dropped my blood pressure waaay too low.

[Donna]

My BP was borderline high prior to starting HRT.
Now 18 days after starting HRT my blood pressure is much lower and very comfortably in the normal range. Maybe it's the Spiro.

[Michelle_P]

I had results similar to Donna.  Going from consistent 135/90 readings on a diet with 2300 mg/day sodium <not a dosage, just dietary intake> to 120/80 with 700 mg/day of sodium intake showed I had signs of sodium-sensitive prehypertension.  Throwing spironolactone into the mix dropped blood pressure to 90/60 within a week, and serum sodium out of bounds low, which I corrected for.

I now have my diet set back at 2300 mg/day of dietary sodium intake, and have a waking BP of 93/65 after 8 months of this.  Mid-day active and sitting upright gives a BP of 120/75 or thereabouts.

Spironolactone has a fairly significant effect for persons with sodium-sensitive hypertension.  That follows from it's changes in passing increased amounts of sodium, as well as being a diuretic.  Drawbacks include middle of the night bathroom runs.

[DawnOday]

I understand how you feel though for me it seems to be in the complete opposite direction. 8.5 months HRT and my BP is always super low and many times I need to be careful when I get up as the overwhelming rush of blood causes me to near pass out. I eat about 3x daily sodium intake recommendations, always hydrated but my BP highs are barely 100/60 max and I wish I knew how what else I could do to raise my BP >_< Can't wait to get SRS one day and ditch the awful spiro >_<

At 100/60 your blood pressure is near perfect.
This from the Mayo Clinic
Although blood pressure varies from person to person, a blood pressure reading of 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or less systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) or 60 mm Hg or less diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is generally considered low blood pressure.  If you have fainting spells it could indicate your BP is lower than the 100/60 measurement. My pressure often was lower than this, however as I started losing some of my 80 lbs. the blood pressure has gotten more in the stable range

[Deborah]

Mine is now consistently less than 120/80, often ten or more points below that.  There is one exception though.  Whenever I visit the endo it goes up to around 150/95, grrrrrrr.  So I have to keep a daily record to show them and keep their concern at bay.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[KayXo]

My blood pressure also goes up when I see my doctor, a common occurrence. Why we retest again and again.

[JeanetteLW]

    I too suffer from white coat syndrome. Yesterday the first reading was something like 156/85 and came doe to 148/??  the second. I take my BP and Blood sugar (x3) everyday. I also document those readings and all my medications including times and amounts on a spreadsheet. I print the last few weeks and bring it with me to the appointments. It has come in handy in answering questions. My white coat syndrome is well documented.

   Jeanette

[Sydney_NYC]

My blood pressure also goes up when I see my doctor, a common occurrence. Why we retest again and again.

When I first went to my first HRT visit, I was a nervous wreck, it was super cold outside (12 deg F) and I had to run from the subway to make it on time. My blood pressure was read as 168/89 on my right arm. Never had I had my blood pressure read that high before and I was shocked. The nurse said she would try again in 10 min. 10 min later she took it again (on the other arm) and it was 118/71 which was good. She tried the other arm and 148/83. Hmm puzzled look. Then I remembered that I have a cyst on my right arm and it's near a major vein and told her about it and showed it to her. She moved the cuff up so the cyst wasn't pressing against the vein and my blood pressure was 124/73.

So now when I go to the doctors office I make sure they use my left arm.

[706Phoenix]

Thank you all for your kind response I have been to my Doctor and all my BP needed was a small adjustment to my meds. So I have restarted my HRT  and T Blocker. so now feel great and can not believe how quick my body is reacting to HRT

[KayXo]

Great!