HRT and heart disease

[Scott D]

On 4/19/2012 at 5:59 PM, Guest Melissa.1957 said:

Dr. Becky Allison discusses the study and how it relates to MtF woman. Dr. Allison is a cardiologist and a transwoman. It is a very good read

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

This answers one of my concerns about my 11 yr old son if he eventually gets HRT.  His mother has Factor V Leiden.

[Jani]

Hello Scott.  I think the take away from this article is this.

"A much better drug is estradiol, a naturally occurring estrogen.... This not only gives better absorption, but avoids the metabolism by the liver which might stimulate more blood clotting problems. Estradiol can also be given by injection or by transdermal patches, but the sublingual route seems to me to be the best. I believe the use of estradiol rather than CEE will reduce a person's health risks, and urge physicians to change their patients to estradiol."

 

I don't believe many, if any endocrinologists are prescribing CEE any longer as the benefits of bio-identical are superior.  

 

Jani

[Charlize]

Heart disease and stroke are one of the reasons we are here at Trans/Pulse.  Many folks self medicate for many reasons but it is a dangerous practice.  I have severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and am monitored quite regularly.  Topical estradiol is a much safer route as Jani pointed out and with a good endocrinologist, who know a persons medical history risks are greatly reduced.  I may not have a great many innings left due to my heart disease but the peace of mind and absence of the stress i had throughout my life is so much reduced it feels that that should be a factor as well.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[TessaOKC]

I have occasional AFIB and PVC's (heart palpitations) and I have asked over and over again if it is still safe to be on HRT. I asked my Endo, family doc, cardiologist and even the dermatologist and each one said no problem. My endo just waved her hand in the air and said, "Psst, no problem". 

[Krysten]

Hello everyone. I have been browsing these forums for a while now and decided to finally sign up. I did not want to start a new thread because there was this one already posted.

 

For the last 32 years I have struggling with who or what i am and for a while now i have known. This year I decided to start to take the steps to achieve a more comfortable me. However I feel it might all be for nothing.

 

When I was 17 I had a pulmonary valve replacement. I know no one here can give me a straight answer that will have to be for my dr. to do but I fear my replacement will keep me from being able to go on HRT.

 

I am just wondering if anyone else has had a replacement valve and still was able to go on HRT. I have been freaking out for years about my valve and it is what has kept me from talking to my dr. about it because I do not think I can handle being told no.

[VickySGV]

Just now, Krysten said:

I am just wondering if anyone else has had a replacement valve and still was able to go on HRT. I have been freaking out for years about my valve and it is what has kept me from talking to my dr. about it because I do not think I can handle being told no.

 

Some of this is going to depend on what support medications you are on now as far as blood clotting and antirejection meds.  While not a heart valve replacement patient, I have had blood clot problems and am limited to topical delivery systems that pose the least risks of blood clotting.  Transdermal patches and a couple of skin creams or sprays would be options.  Oral medications would probably NOT be an option since they affect your liver in ways to enhance the chance of blood clots.  You do have hope.

[Krysten]

Just now, VickySGV said:

 

Some of this is going to depend on what support medications you are on now as far as blood clotting and antirejection meds.  While not a heart valve replacement patient, I have had blood clot problems and am limited to topical delivery systems that pose the least risks of blood clotting.  Transdermal patches and a couple of skin creams or sprays would be options.  Oral medications would probably NOT be an option since they affect your liver in ways to enhance the chance of blood clots.  You do have hope.

Thank you, I am not on any medication for my heart. I have asked if I needed to be on a thinner and was told no. But the fact you say i have hope brings hope.

[Erikka]

Last Wednesday I woke up and my right arm felt funny. Called the VA telehealth nurse, describe what as going on and told to call 911 and go to hospital. As it turned out I had a stroke. By Friday I had almost all the use of my right arm again. Stroke caused by tiny blood clots. I was put on Plavix to thin blood.

i am really afraid the endo is going to tak me off estrogen and that scares the hell out of me. I only really met myself two years ago at 68. I like who I am, I like who I have become and I don’t want to go back.

[VickySGV]

41 minutes ago, Erikka said:

i am really afraid the endo is going to tak me off estrogen and that scares the hell out of me.

 

It will depend on what type of E you were on.  I had a pretty good size DVT in my right leg, and they put me on Warfarin to control it.  I had to quit oral E, but when they were sure the clot had stabilized my endo put me on patches which is where I have been for 4 years.  You could be on a vacation from it, but I lost nothing from the time off other than a little bit of sanity.

[Erikka]

Thanks

[Michala_72]

HI there,

 

I recently had a Cardio event, (Heart Stopped Twice) however not a heart attack. Cardiologist has put me on Statins and Asprin to manage it, The main issue is my cholesterol levels, I have been advised it is reversible at this point in time.

 

I have only just started my Journey and have not yet started on HRT, I am concerned that my cholesterol levels may stop or postpone this?

 

Has anybody come across this?

 

I tried accessing the above link http://www.drbecky.com/hormheart.html but link was dead.

[Jackie C.]

Hey @Michala_72! Welcome to TransGenderPulse!

 

While not 100% where you are... well, close. I mean I came out when I was 48 (well, TECHNICALY 47, but only by like a month) I once had a cholesterol level of 300. Second highest my doctor had ever seen. He was not impressed when I smiled and said, "So I can go higher?" So yeah, when I came out the very first thing I started to do was take care of myself. Part of that was exercise. I dropped fifty pounds in the first six months or so. My approval for HRT was still a little dicey, but with commitment to my exercise regimen and eating better my endo has completely relaxed.

 

What exactly your endo will do depends on your liver and kidney numbers. However, HRT and other transition measures are hard on the body. I strongly recommend that you do your very best to maintain that body as best you can. Fortunately, I found that that comes easier once you don't hate yourself so much so it's a positive feedback loop.

 

Start light. You don't want another cardio event. I started with a hour and ten minute exercise video. Just cardio dance intervals with some light weight training. It was $10 on Amazon. In the beginning I was EXHAUSTED when the end credits rolled, but I kept at it. I'm down about 100 pounds now and looking to lose some more if I can (though it's turned into more of a give and take now because I'm building muscle mass).

 

Once again, welcome! We're glad you're here!

 

Hugs!

[Michala_72]

Thanks @Jackie C. Good to be here.

 

Yep my GP has put me on a exercise regime to get my weight down, I'm in Australia and we must use different measures for Cholesterol, I was at 7.5 which apparently high, he wants it down to 2.

I'm currently 220 pounds and I have to get down to 176 by May, (Doctors Orders) Admittedly most of that is muscle Mass which I am hoping will go once I'm on HRT, I want to get down to around 147 Pounds which is pretty light from my frame.

So going to try and not do weights and stick to cardio and light resistance weights if needed, don't want anymore Muscle.

[Jackie C.]

You'll lose about 30% of your muscle mass within 2 years of MtF HRT, so there's that. You're also WAY ahead of where I was. I was about 300 pounds when I started. I've been going between 190 and 200 for the last six months or so while my metabolism adjusts. I'm thinking I'd look pretty good around 175, but I have a friend who thinks I can make 150, so we'll see.

 

Hugs!