Osteopenia hrt advice / private clinic costs ongoing prescription

[Zizzagaaaaahttss]

I had an early (aged 43 now 50) menopause didn't have any hrt as I sailed through it.
Had a dexa scan 3 years ago which showed osteopenia in my spine (-1.6)
Went to drs who refused hrt and told me to walk more than the 5 miles per day I currently do and carry on with calcium and vit d.
Went for another dexa scan last month and spine has dropped to -2.0 (3% loss)

Dr still doesn't see a problem and the fact that by doing nothing means I could be in osteoporosis stage in 5+ years.

I've found a private menopause clinic not too far away. The specialist only does private work

Any advice as to what to expect. The consultation fee im guessing is about £250 but what about the hrt drug prices. I'm guessing the NHS won't cover them. I've looked online and the prices per month are pretty high, how does it work
Will blood work be needed?

Sorry to hear about your lack of success with your dr. It doesn't bode well, does it? Walking alone will not build bone because we are designed to walk and the load on the bones is not 'extra' if you see what I mean! If you just walk, it's a bit like trying to fill the bath with the plug out. The bones will decrease faster post-meno than you can build them up. You've actually done okay as bone loss per year post meno is between 3-5%.

What you need to do are weights and other exercises to build bone in your spine. Both the NHS and the Royal Osteoporosis Society have info on the right type of exercises. Walking is fine, but you need other stuff too.

And HRT! This is the first line of treatment for women your age who have low bone density.

You ought not to need blood tests.

Prices depend on which form of HRT. Oestrogel, for example, is around £10 a month. Utrogestan is around 50p per tablet and if you take it daily, that's £15. So £25 a month.

Most but not all private drs charge for writing the prescription and expect at least an annual appt as a check up.

However, another option is for the meno consultant to write to your GP with their recommendations for treatment and you then get the HRT on the NHS. GPs are not obliged to do what private consultants advise, so it's a bit hit and miss!

Good luck with it all.

Have you seen another doctor or complained to the practice manager?

We have this in my family. It should be treated.

Jeeezus! Your doc doesn’t know arse from elbow! You need to do weight-baring exercise AND get HRT stat! Doctors just don’t believe how important this is if you want to remain healthy into old age! Have you also had parathyroid & kidney function checked? You need to make sure that osteopenia is not caused by either of these things too.

And yes to weight bearing exercise, you can start right away without waiting for doc.