Latest research finds postmenopausal hormone therapy: Despite lowering LDL, or bad, cholesterol, raising HDL, or good, cholesterol, and improving fasting glucose and insulin resistance, women with diabetes who take hormones have greater narrowing of their arteries that could be putting them at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
The reason, report researchers, is that hormones in these women appear to exacerbate inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, both of which are associated with cardiovascular disease.The findings are based on data from 321 women taking part in a larger study on estrogen and vitamins. One hundred and forty were diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. All of the women showed evidence of heart disease on angiography, a test that X-rays the heart vessels. Some of the women were given hormones (estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin) while others received a sham treatment for comparison purposes.
Researchers conclude saying that their results suggest a slight improvement in insulin resistance and fasting glucose levels with hormone therapy , hence they say that this warrants additional study in this area .
