Is HRT Making a Comeback? Plus: Essential Hormone Tests & Hair Health Secrets
Hillary Lin, MD·
New perspectives on HRT, must-have hormone tests, and hair health tips...
HILLARY LIN, MD
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The Long Game
Hi {{ subscriber.first_name | strip | default: "there" }},
The End of Summer is Near. Labor Day is at the end of August and it went down to the 60s in NYC last week. Not cool (or very cool and not at the same time). That being said, I've been hard at work producing a ton of new content lately as you can see below and on hillarylinmd.com.
Also as a heads up, I'll be announcing something very exciting in an upcoming newsletter issue *soon* so keep an eye out on your inbox!
In today's edition:
❤️ Hormone Therapy for Women
🧪 Guides for Hormone Testing
💇🏻♀️ Debugging Hair Concerns
- Hillary Lin, MD
Hormone Health
Is Hormone Therapy the Fountain of Youth or a Ticking Time Bomb? Hormone Therapy for Women
Radomir Jordanovic/Pexels
The Evolution of Hormone Therapy: Bridging the Gap for Women's Health
Over the past five years, the perspective on hormone therapy has undergone a seismic shift among longevity practitioners. Once vilified following the 1991 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study—which led to a dramatic reduction in hormone therapy for menopausal women—this treatment is now being revisited with fresh eyes.
Hormone therapies stir controversy not because of their efficacy or risks—after all, every medication comes with potential side effects—but because of the confusion they generate.
The WHI study’s design had several significant limitations that have led to its controversial legacy.
We f*@%! up." (Docs & Scientists re HRT)
Subsequent analyses and long-term follow-up studies have introduced the “Timing Hypothesis,” suggesting that the initiation of hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause or before age 60 offers a more favorable risk-benefit ratio. Younger postmenopausal women (aged 50-59) generally showed better outcomes, particularly in cardiovascular health, compared to older women (aged 60-79).
The Essential Guide to Hormone Testing Based on Your Health Goals
Radomir Jordanovic/Pexels
“Doc, can I get my hormones checked?”
It might surprise you, but this is a dreaded request for many doctors. Hormone testing is not thoroughly taught in medical school, nor in most residencies. Primary care often does little other than thyroid testing and will miss important changes throughout a man or woman's life without regular checks.
Hormones are the body's silent regulators, influencing everything from mood and metabolism to fertility and aging. Targeted hormone testing, tailored to your specific health goals, can provide critical insights that guide interventions and improve overall well-being.
As a longevity physician, I've seen how understanding your hormonal landscape can help you achieve optimal health, whether you're focusing on fertility, longevity, or maintaining overall vitality.
Whether you're dealing with hair loss and fatigue, or stubborn weight and low libido, chances are there's a hormone imbalance at play.
As part of "The Longevity Show," one of my most popular episodes this past week was on hair.
You might be wondering what a longevity physician is doing, talking about hair, but it is actually both a common concern and an important sign of internal health.
In this episode, we discuss hair growth, shedding, hormones, saunas, and more.
The Longevity Show is hosted on NoomVibe @ Noom O' Clock (12pm EST Mon-Fri) to hundreds of live listeners and posted on my Youtube channel afterward.
As always, if you have a specific question you'd like me to address, don't hesitate to send me a message by hitting "reply." My goal is to read every message and to make sure this content continues to be valuable to you.
The information provided in this newsletter is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this or any other content platform with Hillary Lin, MD. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this newsletter. The authors are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.
