Is this the hill I will die on?

"You need to go to urgent care," the email from my functional medicine doctor read. "One of your tests came back elevated. Have it checked out and make sure you are not experiencing a blood clot. Also, immediately stop your oral estrogen pill." I had just landed in Prague 12 hours before. This was not the message I was expecting.

Let me back up. Per the suggestion of a reader, I switched my Hormone Therapy (HT) from my PCP to a functional medicine doctor. Many functional medicine doctors have more experience with hormones than traditional Western providers. I chose someone with menopause training from the Menopause Society, a double plus.

Me with my dear friend, Jolana, on the Charles Bridge.

After my intake with the functional medicine doc, I had had a battery of blood tests prior to my work trip to Prague. These tests would reveal my hormone levels as well as other possible reasons for hair loss. A functional medicine doc is trained to look at the whole person's health. My doctor embraces Western medicine but also looks more broadly to nutrition, hormonal shifts, and lifestyle components in order to get to the root causes.

If you look at my last post, you see a desperation to maintaining a youthful look and feel through HT. But the choice was clear while in Prague: Death or aging? Which one will I choose? I immediately stopped my oral estrogen pill and tried to get an appointment with an English language doctor for an ultrasound on my legs. I was unable to secure an appointment in Prague, so I went to a pharmacy for baby aspirin and fish oil, both which help thin the blood. I also wore compression socks and elevated my legs. I have an appointment for an ultrasound coming up.

Since returning to the US, I have switched to an estrogen patch and an oral progesterone pill. These both have fewer risks associated with them than the oral estradiol, which my PCP had prescribed.

I'm learning as I go. I hope my lessons help you: Find someone with training from the Menopause Society and/or seek out a functional medicine doctor. Oh, and if you are getting on a long-haul flight, be sure to pack compression socks.