18 Comments
Oct 4·edited Oct 4Liked by Dr. Jen Gunter

Labmuffin did a video about bad papers and paper mills. It was eye-opening. I can't help but wonder if these Dr do not know how to interpret research or deliberately misrepresent it. My gut tells me they have all got addicted to the fame and adulation so keep on spouting garbage.

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I am not sure how many don't know how to interpret and how much is deliberate. I suspect there is always a bit of both.

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Also the money! Dr Haver sells a lot of supplements and books!

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Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

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Oct 4Liked by Dr. Jen Gunter

Just a big thank you to the calm and clarity you bring to this craziness. I found you recently and so grateful. Personally I’m recovering from a year of health anxiety due to instagram rabbit hole and “fear” messaging. I’ve never understood the bashing of statins. They serve such an important purpose for those who need it. I’m currently on a low dose as so many in my family died very young from heart disease. Also on low dose MHT for bones. Keep up the great work. You are appreciated more than you know 😊

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Exactly. I’m so grateful to hear informed opinions from an ob-gyn who isn’t selling a “lifestyle with supplements.”

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Oct 4Liked by Dr. Jen Gunter

Huge thanks, as always, for your conscientious, compassionate and trust-worthy info. Is there research on which statins are better tolerated by women? My understanding--and experience--is that we respond differently and it can be hard to find one without severe side effects, especially joint pain.

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Oct 4Liked by Dr. Jen Gunter

Helpful overview and the Insta live was a really great listen, thank you! Dispelling medical misinformation in our practice became a frequent activity during COVID and has stayed persistent since. The internet has made routine medical care more stressful and complicated for the average patient.

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I was happy to read that statins + MHT lower risk of clots. I think that will help me get over the worry I have when I am on statins (right now, optional, since my ratio is still good) because I get the side effect of muscle pain in my legs and start to fret that the MHT is causing a clot.

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Me too about getting a pain and thinking, oh no, blood clot?!” And I’m not even on MHT.

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Thank you for the evidence-based discussion. My OB-Gyn was not positive toward statins (I'm on both a low-dose statin and low-dose transdermal estrogen). This discussion provides reassurance I can be on both.

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The origin (in part) seems to be from the book, Estrogen Matters, now in an updated edition which has a chapter (4) advocating MHT over statin therapy. I’m curious if you’ve written anything critiquing this book — I often see it cited (and my physician asked me to read it given my pushback about MHT as a preventative measure for ALL women). I would value your take on this book. Maybe a book review? 😀Thank you!

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The book, Saving Women’s Hearts is over 10 years old. I didn’t see any updated versions when I searched. Do you know if any of the information in it may have changed with recent studies, and if so, what?

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Is there a downside to taking a low dose statin along w mht? Can my gynecologist prescribe? Thx!

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author

Not if it is recommended based on the guidelines. It isn't currently recommended to take solely based on the studies showing a reduced risk of blood clots. You can find the guidelines for statins here https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2019/03/07/16/00/2019-ACC-AHA-Guideline-on-Primary-Prevention-gl-prevention

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I would like to start taking a statin soon, before my cholesterol gets worse. I’m guessing that’s not going to be easy to do. 😕

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I’m relieved and grateful for this info / reassurance / confirmation about the relative efficacy of treating various common health issues with hormones as opposed to drugs used specifically for that purpose.

I also feel more than a bit indignantly p.o.’d at Mary Claire Haver and others who “advise” their followers on the “best” or “most effective” ways to treat some of the most common but not-to-be-ignored health conditions: heart disease and hyperlipidemia.

Haver is, in my eyes, a dangerous shill.

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Some people who present themselves as "experts" play to a specific audience. Fact checking is important using reliable research information. Health care professionals have opinions that are used to treat patients which can be totally different than the person in the next office. So many doctors have written books that contain the information that they feel is required and suits every individual (that is why some books sell others do not). Statins and estrogen can impact women who take thyroid medication (based on the most recent information from the ATA). This means so many women must rely on an endocrinologist that can manage thyroid levels. If you were able to attend Dr. Wendy Wolfman's presentation at the recent Menopause Meeting in Chicago what was your impression of the information?

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