A question about oestrogen dominance

[Castaspella]

Please bear with me as I’ve gone down a rabbit hole and would love some reassurance. I’ve just started HRT and also started taking milk thistle for liver support. A group I am part of on Facebook posted about how milk thistle plus HRT increases breast cancer risk and that it’s possible to have too much oestrogen / be oestrogen dominant which is a bad combination. I have no clue of knowing what my oestrogen levels are and I’m worried that somehow I’m funnelling things into my body that I don’t need. I’m actually off for a blood test today though I’m not sure if my GP will check oestrogen levels so will clarify. I’m hoping somebody knowledgeable here will tell me this is all quackery! Thanks!

ps I have googled and googled and just feel more confused

I think that the idea of "liver support" is quackery.
Do you have a diagnosed liver problem? If so, your gp is the best person to ask.

no I just thought it might help because I feel like I’m taking so many meds now. I think you’re probably right 🙈

The oestrogen breast cancer risk is something to worry about if you have a family history of it. I mean in your close female relatives. Most of us will get some form of cancer at some point of our centuries long life. But also its always better not to start two things at once, like hrt and milk thistle. Then you will never know what's working and whats giving you side effects. Plus, also, it is most important to do the breast self examination. Most of the cancers these days get treated if detected early enough. I am a strong advocate of common sense. Hope this helps.

Thanks, I could do with some common sense. No family history

Your liver doesn't need supporting. It's very able to look after itself and if it's not working, you'd know.

There is some possible 'truth' in using a lot of phytoestrogens (plant products like soy etc) which can add a very weak estrogen and are sometimes avoided by women who have already had breast cancer.

There is no such thing as estrogen dominance either, it's a US invention that is sometimes used to sell other stuff that supposedly 'counteracts it'.

That’s so helpful, thank you @JinglingSpringbells

There are questionnaires online that can apparently suggest whether you may have oestrogen dominance or not.

You can send bloods off in the uk to get tested privately. Or a spit test to America. It’s about £150-£300 depending on what and where.

I think it’s real but whether or not it’s an issue i don’t know. As a previous poster said it could be that the meds they sell you to balance you aren’t really required as oestrogen dominance is a natural part of growing older.

I think our ovaries produce oestrogen and then they slow down and stop, meanwhile our pituitary starts taking over and producing oestrogen and presumably it slows down and stops, i can imagine there are times we are out of whack as both could be producing it?

they say Progesterone balances it out. I believe the topical stuff is better than oral stuff. The nhs prescribe it here as part of HRT.