A problem shared by mother-of-four and GP Clare Bailey: I’m 75 and my GP won’t give me HRT any more

  • An anonymous woman, 75, said that doctors took her off HRT five years ago
  • The woman, from the UK, would like HRT due to concerns of thinning bones 
  • Clare Bailey gave advice including supplements with vitamin D and calcium

By CLARE BAILEY FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Published: | Updated:

Q I’m 75 and have repeatedly asked my GP to put me back on HRT but they have refused. They say my age is against me, but I’m keen to have a low dose as it’s meant to be good for the bones. I was on HRT for years but stopped when I turned 70; I am particularly concerned about increased thinning of the bones now that I am not protected by HRT.  

A The guidelines are clear: women should be able to take HRT for as long as the benefits outweigh any risks, such as breast cancer and blood clots. However, doctors vary in their assessment of these risks. 

Menopause expert Dr Louise Newson says HRT is very safe, especially when given as oestrogen through the skin (as a patch, gel or spray) with micronised progesterone capsules. 

An anonymous woman, 75, who lives in the UK, asked Clare Bailey for advice about thinning bones after doctors refuse to put her back on HRT

An anonymous woman, 75, who lives in the UK, asked Clare Bailey for advice about thinning bones after doctors refuse to put her back on HRT 

She adds that with this type of HRT there is no risk of clots, and there has never been a study showing a risk of breast cancer with this type of HRT. 

Women who are older can usually start HRT and many choose to do so for the associated health benefits, which include reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). 

The good news is that you will already have benefited from extra strengthening over the years you did take HRT — and there are plenty of other ways to protect your bones. You are right that after the menopause, thinning of the bones speeds up. The drop in oestrogen levels means you have less protection from bone loss. And as osteoporosis is a silent disease, you don’t usually find out you have it until you fracture a weakened bone. 

This may follow a relatively minor injury or fall. These ‘fragility fractures’ can result in serious problems such as a broken hip or crushing a vertebra simply by bending over. As well as pain, it can leave impairment, reducing confidence and mobility, and can lead to early death in older people. 

Clare Bailey (pictured) told the reader to try taking supplements such as Vitamin D and calcium, which work together to strengthen bones

Clare Bailey (pictured) told the reader to try taking supplements such as Vitamin D and calcium, which work together to strengthen bones

In addition to taking HRT, here are some important things you can start doing right now: 

 Several of our household have coeliac disease, so are unable to tolerate gluten, and with Michael on a low-carb diet our freezer is stuffed with a multitude of different, partly eaten loaves. At last we have found a bread we all like and which covers almost every eventuality; gluten-free, low carb, high in fibre to keep you full for longer, and most importantly tastes great. Each slice of Dillon Organic Keto Bread is surprisingly low in carbs with as little as 3g carbs per 25g serving. And instead of using additives, thickeners or emulsifiers, they use natural ingredients.
  • Supplement with vitamin D and calcium, which work together to strengthen bones. Although sunlight on the skin is one of the best ways to produce vitamin D, the elderly convert vitamin D from the sun less efficiently. They also tend to cover up more, wearing sun protection and spend less time outdoors.  
  • Exercise is a great way to reduce the rate of bone mineral loss and even build up your bone density. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends you aim for weight-bearing exercise. Your weight-bearing bones, such as those in your spine or hips, respond well to being mildly stressed by walking, jogging or even running. 
  • Eat a lowish-carb Mediterranean diet with plenty of veg, fruit, nuts, seeds, healthy oils, oily fish, and some dairy, meat and wholegrains. Evidence shows this is the best diet for maintaining muscle and bone. As you get older you need to eat more protein, such as fish, meat, cheese or tofu. Opt for at least 80g daily.
 

Wine can lower diabetes risk 

Clare said that drinking a moderate amount of wine, with meals, was associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than drinking beer, or drinking at other times

Clare said that drinking a moderate amount of wine, with meals, was associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than drinking beer, or drinking at other times

If you like drinking alcohol, the best time is with your meals, and the best drink is wine. That was the conclusion of a recent study of 312,000 people which found that drinking a moderate amount of wine, with meals, was associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than drinking beer, or drinking at other times. By ‘moderate’ drinking, the researchers mean a single small glass of wine for women and up to two glasses for men. This study suggests it is not alcohol but other things, perhaps antioxidants, that are helping.

You can write to Clare at drclarebailey@dailymail.co.uk or Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT.

Comments 24

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.