'It's a witch hunt'...doctor hits back over HRT claims

A MENOPAUSE expert has hit back at a TV show which attacked her for prescribing high doses of hormone replacement therapy.

- Chris Riches

HRT is taken by more than two million UK women to replace oestrogen and progesterone, with the licensed maximum of 100 micrograms delivered via skin patches.

But for years specialist Dr Louise Newson, who runs eight menopause clinics, said higher doses achieve better results tackling symptoms and has prescribed up to 300mcg.

Last week, a BBC Panorama documentary alleged she risked harming patients by prescribing HRT at too high a dosage and former patients criticised their care.

But Dr Newson said: "The number of people who have said this is a witch hunt has been huge."