Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

HRT and heart disease


Charlize

Recommended Posts

  • Forum Moderator

Hi, I have no intention of self medicating. I used to do that with drugs and alcohol and am still a very active member of AA. I do have coronary artery disease and have both stents and open heart surgery. I have not come out to my family Dr. although that may happen soon. I have heard that HRT is not recommended if you have heart disease and before I bring it up with the Dr. any feedback out there? Thanks, its great to have this support.

Charlie

Link to comment

Hey Charlie,

Not being a doctor I can only say that yes I have heard that HRT and heart disease are not a good mix, however you should talk to your doctor because there are many different types of heart disease and it is possible that some are not really effected by HRT - only your doctor and an endocrinologist can give you any specific answer.

Love ya,

Sally

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Thanks, This is important for me as it seems that HRT is so much a part of trans. Dressing up is just not enough any more. Even if I pass i'm only an actor and not a woman. It may be that that is all i'll get and if so contentment will have to come from within.

Hugs, Charlie

Link to comment

Charlie:

Your doctor is the best person to decide on your risk factors. He may put you on an aspirin regimen with HRT to help prevent clots. Blood thinners may also be an option. It all depends on your doctors judgement. Dosage and delivery will also be a consideration as method of delivery. Transdermal is safer for a woman over 40 than taking a pill sub lingual or under the tongue. So there will be a discussion and you will be given information on the risk versus benefit. Katheryn

Link to comment
Guest again

Hi Charlie,

Definitely speak to your doctor about it! If you go with the HRT ask to be put on bioidentical hormones. Estradiol gel as estrogen source (that you can rub on your arms or legs) and prometrium pills as progesterone source (not sure if they use progesterone in MTF HRT treatment?). Both of these forms of HRT are the safest available and were NOT included in the warning several years back about increase in heart disease risk with HRT. The added benefit of the gel is that it only makes one trip through the liver, rather than two, so it is easier on the liver also. Good luck!

Link to comment
  • Admin

Thank you very much, Melissa. That was extremely valuable information, especially for someone who has a family history of heart disease and who is diabetic. It is very encouraging and reassuring.

As a matter of fact, I think this info is so valuable I'm going to pin this topic.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

Link to comment
  • 4 weeks later...

Thanks Melissa for sharing this article. It's the best that I've ever read on hormones and MTF. I'm scheduled for a lot of labs in August and I'm curious as to the effect HRT will have on my cholesterol levels. I had only been on HRT for just a month and I saw a small improvement. HRT has had a very positive effect on my blood pressure and I've had to call my doctor to have my blood pressure meds reduced. My blood pressure last night was 116/69. Like you Carolyn, I worry about diabetes. But the risk benefit for me is a positive one. Kathryn

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

Thanks for posting and pinning that link. My GT recommended that i contact Dr Allison. She is hard to get through to for a one on one. This is almost as good.

Link to comment
Guest lairlane

Thank you Melissa for posting Dr. Becky's page. It has been years since I read the Grace Letters.

A flood of memories would be an understatement as I reflect on the past 20 years of transition.

I'll leave the rest for another topic.

Once again, thank you all for being here.

Lana

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

Sorry Matthias i don't know. Your MD is the best place to start but they are often adverse to approving any risk.

As an aside i was able to start HRT using a low dose gel and close monitoring. I am waiting for the results of my first blood test but think it must be ok has i have not been contacted. It took some time but the primary, Cardiologist, Gt and Dr McGinn's office worked things out. It took time but amongst other things is very self confirming. I feel more like me or perhaps its easier to accept me.

thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Charlie

Link to comment
  • 5 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

Here is an update and some new information. I was taken off of HRT after having to get some new stents. My Cardiologist is a bit transphobic. I took him reprints of Dr. Allison's work. I also was able to contact her in person and she was kind enough to respond. Unfortunately there are few trans knowledgeable cardiologists. I have been working toward getting myself back to where i was before surgery and was finally put on a modified program by Dr. McGinn.

Interestingly Estrogen has been shown to cause blood clotting when given to women at meta pause. This is the main research that was used to withhold HRT from me and is certainly a concern. I am on two medications to counteract that possibility and have been well before starting HRT, but this has never been a problem for me.

Testosterone has been shown to cause hardening of the arteries which is my problem. FTM patients are warned of this possibility when on HRT or should be according to DR. McGinn's office. I just could be that i should be on E for my heart! Regardless it will certainly help with the stress i have felt been relieved of and then experienced again.

This has been such a ride. I have learned a bit more about acceptance. On then off, into the hospital and out to learn how to live with a different set of hormones again. Frustrating but at least in this age we can have the kind of care that not only allows us to be alive but to live as ourselves. I'm glad to be alive and when the prescription comes in i'll be on a slightly different path. More bumps will come. HRT won't change that but if i'm lucky i'll be at peace any way. That's the biggest gift of all.

Hugs,

Charlie

Link to comment
Guest Paradox

I am rather rare in me endocrine system, so I don't have many choices in the ride my body takes me on. I died and was revived on the table in an emergency room of a large hospital system known for heart care. My responce to medicines and pulse rate interested the Head of the Cardiology Department, so that is who took me on as his patient, eventually removing an 85% blockage in a heart artery and putting in a stent. Two years later, my encrine system simulated a heart attack and after angioplasty showed nothing wrong, the cardiologist called in a kidney transplant specialist, whose tests eventually revealed my endocrine challenges. After consultation with my cardiologist, drum roll please, I was put on a medication to help stabilize my endocrine system. This medication is also often used in MTF hrt.

This is a long way to say that each individual needs to be seen and evaluated by a medical doctor before hrt. Heart conditions mean more careful care by a doctor, but do not necessarily mean you cannot get where you want to be; the road just may be different.

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

As a further update I have been back on HRT with a different form of E from a spray and although it is fairly early the results seem good. At this point just being full time for over a year now has taken much of the anxiety away. HRT is a nice benefit to just living as myself for a change but i have learned that i can be happy anyway.

I did have a chance to communicate with Dr Allison and she was great but unfortunately didn't know any cardiologists with trans. knowledge on the east coast. My Cardiologist is accepting my decisions but he is at best skeptical. I am trying to be a good girl and do as much right as i can to keep healthy so i can grow into a still older woman with grace.

Hugs,

Charlie

Link to comment
  • 7 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

Well i'm back to this topic after a week in the hospital after another heart attack. The path i've taken i feel is going to work for me. I was only off of E for less than a week this time. The problem was (hopefully) caused by stopping aspirin which i have taken every day for years. I stopped because i was scheduled for an orchi today and had stopped for the surgery. Several cardiologists in the hospital agreed that stopping aspirin was the probable cause. Dr McGinn has also cleared me to continue HRT and my Doctor did so as well today. It is a risk but with the support i have i feel it is best for me. I am so glad to have MDs who do seem to understand. For a few days i felt i would be back to T again and all the discomfort that would bring. I'd miss how i look and feel now but would and will quit if i have too. Just living as myself and being accepted is such a wonderful change.

Hugs,

Charlize

Link to comment
  • 2 years later...
  • Forum Moderator

Over two years have passed since the last post i made here. I've been on HRT throughout. I have a new cardiologist who is GLBT friendly and who also gives me strong advice suggesting i stay on the smallest dose of E that i can use. It has been fine and now post surgery with no T to block i feel great on a small amount of E that actually comes in a daily spray.

This has been a difficult journey medically but amazingly my cardiologist set my next visit to a year out. He would only do that if he felt i'd be ok. My heart isn't all that much better. Bypasses and multiple stents have done damage as has the accumulation of plague but between medication, diet and exercise i'm still moving.

Please do get the help of a doctor. This living thing is beautiful.

Hugs,

Charlize

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Charlize, thanks for the update, an interesting read. And thanks for taking care of yourself; for you, for your family and your friends. I know we appreciate having you around!

Hugs,

Jani

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Thank you Charlize.

I will be starting on HRT before the end of the year.  I have had Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR).

Since I was so young at the time I was given a St Jude Valve.  (non-bovine) Along with

that comes a lifetime prescription for Coumadin (Warfarin).

The link that was posted is a resource I'll have to remember as I start out.

http://www.drbecky.com/hormheart.html

What a wonderful place!

Link to comment
  • 7 months later...

I too have had several stents and, most recently, bypass surgery last year.  I am just beginning my journey so what I am reading here is very encouraging.   I will soon be be meeting with a trans friendly endocrinologist and am excited about the prospect of beginning HRT.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Hi Kelly and welcome!  Why don't you post a short intro?  We'd love to hear from you.

Jani

Link to comment

Thanks Jani

I am married, two adult daughters and  new to this forum. My employer is LGBT friendly which makes my journey that much easier.  The biggest struggle I face is the tension around beginning this journey for myself and how it will impact everyone in my life.  

For a long time I thought becoming a eunuch would be enough but what intrigues me the most is the transformation to becoming a woman. I am enraptured with adopting the physical characteristics of a woman and my early morning walks with my dogs have turned into public displays of my femininity.  It is desirable and exciting.  

Coming out publicly strikes fear in my heart. For nearly 60 years I have lived as a male but not felt manly.  There has been a feminine, nurturing side to my personality I have suppressed.  

Learning about the resources available today have empowered me to dare to think I can make the transition.  Time will tell.  Will I have the courage?  Can't answer that question yet...

 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   8 Members, 0 Anonymous, 102 Guests (See full list)

    • KathyLauren
    • MaeBe
    • Abigail Genevieve
    • Ashley0616
    • Ivy
    • Karen Carey
    • SamC
    • Mmindy
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.4k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,029
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Selkimur
    Newest Member
    Selkimur
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Anyatimenow
      Anyatimenow
      (23 years old)
    2. Aria00
      Aria00
    3. Ava B.
      Ava B.
      (24 years old)
    4. Claire Heshi
      Claire Heshi
    5. CrystalMatthews0426
      CrystalMatthews0426
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • LucyF
      I've got Spironolactone ___mg and Evorel ___mcg Patches (2 a week) going up to ___mg after 4 weeks 
    • Ivy
      Got a new Granddaughter this morning.  Mother and child (and father) are doing fine. This makes 7 granddaughters and one grandson.  I have 2 sons and 6 daughters myself.  And then I  switched teams.  I think this stuff runs in the family. Another hard day for the patriarchy.
    • Ivy
      Like @MaeBe pointed out, Trump won't do these things personally.  I doubt that he actually gives a rat's a$$ himself.  But he is the foot in the door for the others.   I don't really see this.  Personally, I am all in favor of "traditional" families.  I raised my own kids this way and it can work fine.  But I think we need to allow for other variations as well.   One thing working against this now is how hard it is for a single breadwinner to support a family.  Many people (I know some) would prefer "traditional" if they could actually afford it.  Like I mentioned, we raised our family with this model, but we were always right at the poverty level.   I was a "conservative evangelical" for most of my life, actually.  So I do understand this.  Admittedly, I no longer consider myself one. I have family members still in this camp.  Some tolerate me, one actually rejects me.  I assure you the rejection is on her side, not mine.  But, I understand she believes what she is doing is right - 'sa pity though. I mean no insult toward anyone on this forum.  You're free to disagree with me.  Many people do.   This is a pretty complex one.  Socialism takes many forms, many of which we accept without even realizing it.  "Classism" does exist, for what it's worth.  Always has, probably always will.  But I don't feel like that is a subject for this forum.   As for the election, it's shaping up to be another one of those "hold your nose" deals.
    • Ivy
      Just some exerts regarding subjects of interest to me.
    • Ivy
      Yeah.  In my early teens I trained myself out of a few things that I now wish I hadn't.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I was thinking in particular of BLM, who years ago had a 'What We Believe' section that sounded like they were at war with the nuclear family.   I tried to find it. Nope.  Of interest https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/aug/28/ask-politifact-does-black-lives-matter-aim-destroy/   My time is limited and I will try to answer as I can.
    • Ivy
      Well, I suppose it is possible that they don't actually plan on doing what they say.  I'm not too sure I want to take that chance.  But I kinda expect to find out.  Yet, perhaps you're right and it's all just talk.  And anyway, my state GOP is giving me enough to worry about anyway. I remember a time when being "woke" just meant you were paying attention.  Now it means you are the antichrist. I just don't want the government "protecting" me from my personal "delusions."
    • MaeBe
      1.  I think there are some legitimate concern.   2. Thoroughly discussing this will consume many threads.   3. I disagree partially with @MaeBe but there is partial agreement.   4. The context includes what is happening in society that the authors are observing.  It is not an isolated document.   The observation is through a certain lens, because people do things differently doesn't mean they're doing it wrong. Honestly, a lot of the conservative rhetoric is morphing desires of people to be treated with respect and social equity to be tantamount to the absolution of the family, heterosexuality, etc. Also, being quiet and trying to blend in doesn't change anything. Show me a social change that benefits a minority or marginalized group that didn't need to be loud.   5. Trump, if elected, is as likely to spend his energies going after political opponents as he is to implementing something like this.   Trump will appoint people to do this, like Roger Severino (who was appointed before, who has a record of anti-LGBTQ+ actions), he need not do anything beyond this. His people are ready to push this agenda forward. While the conservative right rails about bureaucracy, they intend to weaponize it. There is no question. They don't want to simplify government, they simply want to fire everyone and bring in conservative "warriors" (their rhetoric). Does America survive 4 year cycles of purge/cronyism?   6. I reject critical theory, which is based on Marxism.  Marxism has never worked and never will.  Critical theory has problems which would need time to go into, which I do not have.   OK, but this seems like every other time CRT comes up with conservatives...completely out of the blue. I think it's reference is mostly just to spark outrage from the base. Definitely food thought for a different thread, though.   7. There are groups who have declared war on the nuclear family as problematically patriarchal, and a lot of other terms. They are easy to find on the internet.  This document is reacting to that (see #4 above).   What is the war on the nuclear family? I searched online and couldn't find much other than reasons why people aren't getting married as much or having kids (that wasn't a propaganda from Heritage or opinions pieces from the right that paint with really broad strokes). Easy things to see: the upward mobility and agency of women, the massive cost of rearing children, general negative attitudes about the future, male insecurity, etc. None of this equates to a war on the nuclear family, but I guess if you look at it as "men should be breadwinners and women must get married for financial support and extend the male family line (and to promote "National Greatness") I could see the decline of marriage as a sign of the collapse of a titled system and, if I was a beneficiary of that system or believe that to NOT be tilted, be aggrieved.   8.  Much of this would have to be legislated, and this is a policy documented.  Implementation would  be most likely different, but that does not mean criticism is unwarranted.   "It might be different if you just give it a chance", unlike all the other legislation that's out there targeting LGBTQ+ from the right, these are going to be different? First it will be trans rights, then it will be gay marriage, and then what? Women's suffrage?   I get it, we may have different compasses, but it's not hard to see that there's no place for queer people in the conservative worldview. There seems to be a consistent insistence that "America was and is no longer Great", as if the 1950s were the pinnacle of society, completely ignoring how great America still is and can continue to be--without having to regress society to the low standards of its patriarchal yesteryears.    
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Cadillac parts are pretty expensive, so repairing them costs more.  But they don't seem to break down more than other makes.  Lots of Lincoln models use Ford cars as a base, so you can get parts that aren't much more expensive.    My family has had good luck with "Panther platform" cars.  Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Marquis, Lincoln Towncar or Continental.  4.6 V8 and 5.0 V8.  Reasonable fuel economy, and fairly durable.  Our county sheriff's office was running Chargers and SUV's for a while, but has gone back to older Crown Victorias for ease of maintenance.  GF rebuilds them here.  But they are getting more scarce, since the newest ones were made in 2011.    1992-1997 years were different than the later years.  1998-2001 they did some changes, and apparently the best years are 2003 to 2011.  Check Craigslist, and also government auctions.  GF has gotten a lot of them at auction, and they can be had in rough-but-running shape for around $1,000.  Ones in great shape can be found in the $5,000+ range.  Good for 200,000 miles without significant rebuilding.  Go through engine and transmission and electrical systems, and they go half a million.    Some Chrysler models are OK.  The 300 mostly has the same engines as the Charger and Challenger, so parts availability is pretty good.  But they tend to get timing issues.  The older Chrysler Sebring convertibles were pretty reliable, sometimes going 200,000 miles without tons of problems, although after that they were pretty much worn out. 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I think I have read everything the Southern Baptists have to say on transgender, and it helped convince me they are dead wrong on these issues.  They can be nice people.  I would never join an SBC church.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      You come across as a thoughtful, sweet, interesting and pleasant person.    There are parts of this country, and more so the world, where evangelicals experience a great deal of finger wagging.
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      It has been an interesting experience being in a marriage in a Christian faith community, yet being intersex/trans.  I stay pretty quiet, and most have kind of accepted that I'm just the strange, harmless exception.  "Oh, that's just Jen.  Jen is...different."  I define success as being a person most folks just overlook. 
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Well, I live in an area with a lot of Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, etc...  We've experienced our share of finger-wagging, as the "standard interpretation" of Scripture in the USA is that the Bible only approves of "one man, one woman" marriage.  My faith community is mostly accepted here, but that has taken time and effort.  It can be tough at times to continue to engage with culture and the broader population, and avoid the temptation to huddle up behind walls like a cult.    Tolerance only goes so far.  At one point, my husband was asked to run for sheriff.  He declined, partly because an elected official with four wives would have a REALLY tough time.  (Of course, making way less than his current salary wasn't an option either). 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      My bone structure is far more female than male.  I can't throw like a guy, which has been observed by guys numerous times, and moving like a woman is more natural.  It just is.  I'm not going out of my way to act in a fem. way, as you say, but I am letting go of some of the 'I am not going to move like that because I am a guy' stuff I have defensively developed.  The other breaks through anyway - there were numerous looks from people at work when I would use gestures that are forbidden to men, or say something spontaneously no guy would ever say.   At one point, maybe a year or more ago, I said it was unfair for people to think they were dealing with a man when they were actually dealing with a woman.    Girl here.  'What is a woman' is a topic for another day.
    • Willow
      Mom, I’m home!  What’s for lunch?   Leftover pizza .   ok.    Not exactly our conversation but there is truth in the answer.     @KymmieLsorry you are sick. Feel better soon.   Girl mode, boy mode no mode, not us. Nothing functional for either of us.   anyone here have or had a 10 year old (plus or minus) Caddy, Lincoln or Chrysler?  How was it?  Lots of repairs?  Comfortable seats? Anything positive or negative about it?  I need to replace my 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, it’s eating $100 dollar bills and needs a couple of thousand dollars worth of work and that doesn’t even fix the check engine code.  Obviously, it isn’t worth putting that kind of money into a 20 year old car with a 174 thousand miles.   Willow
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...