Too Old For HRT # 7

The first blog post in this series was written about a year ago when I began my HRT journey.

I had decided to go ahead and try the bioidentical transdermal HRT when I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2024. If you review the previous HRT posts, I wrote about the medical studies and research that were released at that time, showing that HRT was effective in slowing or stopping the progression of osteopenia on its path towards osteoporosis.

2025 is flying by, and it's been five months since I posted about my HRT journey; It’s time for an update.

Now that I'm on Medicare, each year Medicare offers a well-woman visit, which is basically a comprehensive physical. Since I just passed my one-year bone scan and diagnosis anniversary, I thought,  “Well, I’ll have my doc order a new bone scan and we can see if everything I have been doing has helped.”

SIGH… Nope.

Medicare will only authorize a bone scan every two years! Which makes absolutely no sense to me. If you've been diagnosed with a potentially progressive, debilitating condition, one would think that you would want to track its progress, or lack thereof, annually!

Certainly, if the disease is progressing, the physician and the patient want to explore all options to slow its progression or, if possible, reverse it. Waiting two years for a follow-up scan does not seem like an effective treatment protocol.

Osteopenia is one of the major causes of frailty, broken bones, including hips and spines, in aging women. These conditions are often extremely costly and lead to hip replacement, spinal surgery, continuing acceleration of frailty, and can begin the downward spiral into dementia, assisted living, nursing homes, and even death.

If, for the cost of a bone scan, $800.00, women could, potentially, avoid a hip replacement, or spinal surgery, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, prevent frailty and preserve quality of life . . . uhhh. . .  it seems like a smart tradeoff for the government, it’s simple math. Help women track the health of their bones and potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs down the road!

But no.

Rather than wait for a year, I decided, at least for now, before spending $800 out of my own pocket, that something was better than nothing. I registered for the Lifeline body scans again, which are performed via ultrasound.

I had the Lifeline screenings in April of 2023.

For a very reasonable fee, Lifeline screens for abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and osteoporosis risk analysis. Many of these scans can reveal problems before they progress to an advanced stage, potentially causing an emergency. Usually, doctors will not order these tests unless you are already presenting symptoms.

Despite the fact that Lifeline’s bone scan is performed on the tibia bone in the leg, not on the hip and spine, which are the gold standard for osteopenia/ osteoporosis, I decided some data was better than nothing.

Their screening results of my tibia bone were what led my doctor to order a new bone density scan in the first place!

In 2023, I was rated at risk for osteoporosis by Lifeline with their bone density of my tibia as 0.839( g/cm²)

Based on my Lifeline findings, my doctor ordered a bone scan during my physical. On May 31^st, 2024, I had my most recent DEXA bone scan, and it resulted in my diagnosis of osteopenia.

This was when I started HRT, collagen with Fortibone, and additional supplements, taking them religiously, as well as a bone-strengthening exercise plan.

AND . . . My Bone density seems to be recovering!

Last week, May 2025, my LifeLine tibia scan showed me at low risk for osteopenia with an increase in bone density of the tibia. Now showing as 1.127(g/cm²).

Since Medicare won’t pay for the DEXA scan until next year, do I wait and carry on, or fork out the $800.00 to find out the more accurate info? The Jury is still out on this one….

BUT…The Life Line scan did find something.

Something that my doc would never have ordered a scan for, unless I was symptomatic!

I have been hypothyroid for about 15 years or more and on Armour Thyroid for most of those years. My hormone levels, TSH, T4, T3, and Reverse T3 levels are stable. Though different docs like different levels.

During the Lifeline ultrasound of the carotid artery in my neck, Lifeline picked up on an issue in my thyroid. What they referred to as an “incidental finding.” They instructed me to follow up with my doc. Lifeline took an additional 10 images of my thyroid that I could forward to my doc. This was a gift!

My doc immediately ordered an ultrasound through her office for the next day. It revealed that I have a small nodule in my thyroid, which would never have been caught this early if not for Lifeline! There are many things that can go wrong with the thyroid some of them are very dangerous cancers.

For now, we're waiting and watching; I'm grateful to know it's there so that it's documented and we can track it.

The hope for reclaiming bone density?  In the leg, it seems yes.

Hip and Spine are still unknown, but the leg is hopeful! I’ll take a win!

The discovery of a potential problem in the Thyroid, a definite win, for $149.00!

Paying for a Dexa Scan? Probably, soon. However, I did just have to get a crown on a molar. $$$

For now, I’m staying on HRT, supplements, and exercise. I wish I had started sooner.

So, good news for now!

Find a doc to help you.

 Go to the website https://menopause.org/ and click on the link, Find A Healthcare Practitioner— a peri-to menopause specialist in your area.

A number of positive research studies have been published this year regarding the potential of transdermal HRT and Progesterone in slowing osteoporosis, as well as their effectiveness in treating the gyno-urinary syndrome of menopause, among other topics. You can find all the PDF of these studies, which you can download, HERE .

Ultimately, I would not suggest any HRT without a full hormone blood panel ordered by a specialist. There is no cookie-cutter prescription for HRT.

If you’re interested in finding out more about LifeLine screenings, use this link to find out more and book with a special discount for my subscribers. Click Here.

Here’s to your health!

Namasté,

Dr. A.