Thoughts on Strontium?

Posted by psmnonna @psmnonna, Nov 6 7:25pm

I'm on month 11 of Tymlos and although I'm having some side effects that are manageable, I'm getting tired of being tired all the time. I started looking into strontium and now I'm very interested in anyone who has had success/experience with this supplement. How much per day? Does it interact with Tymlos or any other supplements for that matter? What is the best way to add it to your diet? I take a daily vitamin, fish oil, K2, D3 and magnesium. I eat enough calcium per day to not take an extra supplement, also exercise, walk, bike, weight training, yoga, pilates. No fractures. Last dexa score was -3.6 in the spine and in the -1s in hips. Based on the spine my endo said Tymlos was the cure all, be all. I am not due for another dexa until Jan 2025 and that will be a full year of Tymlos, so hoping it is doing something. Thanks one and all for your input!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Thank you! I have a lot more research to do based on some links I got from the inspire.com site. I agree that sometimes it seems we have more knowledge than the drs....but then again I'm never confident about what I read and whether it is unbiased.
Good luck to you as well!!

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@psmnonna

Thank you! I have a lot more research to do based on some links I got from the inspire.com site. I agree that sometimes it seems we have more knowledge than the drs....but then again I'm never confident about what I read and whether it is unbiased.
Good luck to you as well!!

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@psmnonna I have found this Mayo site to be more helpful than inspire, over several years, for many health issues. But it always helps to see different perspectives.

Doctors are important. It can be a long wait to get a good one and access is hard. But we need to find one who works well for us. None of us wants to know more than our doctors!

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I am a long time user of strontium citrate; I have gone from osteoporosis in my femoral bone to
normal bone readings per dexa, no fractures, no side effects.
You asked, Your Questions first then my answers:
I'm very interested in anyone who has had success/experience with this supplement. Answer: yes I am a long time user of strontium citrate. As stated above I have gone from osteoporosis of the femoral bone to normal bone readings with no fractures or side effects.
How much per day? Answer: 680 mg daily is the amount which research says works for osteoporosis
Does it interact with Tymlos or any other supplements for that matter? Answer: There is no known interaction between Tymlos and strontium
What is the best way to add it to your diet? Answer: Supplements or To move to an area of the USA or the world with high amounts in the ground water and then use that ground water for your water and your food needs, plants and animals...in other words, do what we did years ago since most of the world has strontium in its ground water.

There has been much misinformation provided by others in this posting. Research on strontium including bone biopsies show that strontium increases density, and bone quality.
Probably the best argument for strontium use which we have now are the new bone tests which test density and quality,Rems and TBS with DEXA are two. Both REMS and TBS with dexa show good density and bone quality for strontium users.

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@psmnonna

@windyshores thank you for your informative answer! I have read some about how strontium replaces calcium, which makes sense that it would bolster up a dexa score. But is that really better or does that really improve bone strength because strontium is denser?

Unfortunately I didn't know about bone markers before I started Tymlos so never had them checked. I've seen 2 endos and 1 rheumatologist over the past year and none of them recommend or use them. I've found a new endo I'm seeing in Jan for my yearly check up who specializes in osteoporosis only, so I'm hopeful that she is more open minded. The others were very conservative and only interested in the pharmaceutical route.

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According to Rems test and TBS with DEXA, strontium users have good bone density and quality. A TBS with DEXA study showed stontium users in the top 3 of bone quality with 2 other pharma drugs.

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@windyshores

The therapeutic dose for strontium that I have read and been told by integrative medicine is 680mg daily.

As you may know, in Europe it was withdrawn from the market for a time due to concerns about cardiovascular effects (the ranelate form). It is back on but being used there only for those who have no other option, I read.

The problem is that it distorts the DEXA so you won't be able to interpret Tymlos results. Strontium is denser than calcium and replaces it in bone so the bone density looks better on DEXA.

I also experienced fatigue on Tymlos. My DEXA was at 18 months and showed amazing gains. But at that point my bone markers didn't show continuing effectiveness. Both endos that I spoke with had me eontinue for two years but I could have stopped.

Bone markers (P1NP and CTX) are controversial but could give some clues, along with the DEXA, as to whether you can stop the Tymlos. I kind of miss it: I felt protected! But it did make me tired.

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Strontium via ranelate was withdrawn not strontium via citrate. Withdrawn based on one population study whose results cound not be reproduced and Denmark tried for over a year.
There are no problems reported with strontium via citrate.
Dexa with TBS shows that strontium users are in the top three compared to other pharma meds for providing bone quality and density.

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@drsuefowler

Psmnonna,
I think we don't know if Strontium helps. I was on a half a dose and yes my DEXA was much better on it. I went off it and my DEXA was worse. REMS is a test that uses ultrasound so isn't affected by Strontium's extra weight. REMS measures both density and strength. I had to pay cash for it, but will do so again to see if there has been any change. What we really care about is preventing broken bones.

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If you go off calcium your dexa will be worse also.
Rems and TBS with Dexa are proving that strontium helps.

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@psmnonna

@windyshores thank you for your informative answer! I have read some about how strontium replaces calcium, which makes sense that it would bolster up a dexa score. But is that really better or does that really improve bone strength because strontium is denser?

Unfortunately I didn't know about bone markers before I started Tymlos so never had them checked. I've seen 2 endos and 1 rheumatologist over the past year and none of them recommend or use them. I've found a new endo I'm seeing in Jan for my yearly check up who specializes in osteoporosis only, so I'm hopeful that she is more open minded. The others were very conservative and only interested in the pharmaceutical route.

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What is more in keeping with the research is that strontium replaces osteoporic gaps in your bones and then allows calcium to adhere and bone grows.
Rems and TBS with DEXA have proven that strontium does improve bone density and bone quality.

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2mcchesney I think it is important to mention that strontium at that level (680mg) is not actually "natural." That is not to say it is not helpful. Not sure how much is in groundwater that you cited and of course any website should be viewed with skepticism:
https://saveourbones.com/strontium-science-based-facts-vs-fiction/#:~:text=The%20estimated%20average%20daily%20intake%20from%20vegetables%20and,weight.%20Supplementing%20with%20strontium%20is%20clearly%20not%20natural.
Excerpted: "A typical strontium citrate supplement dosage (around 680mg) is 170 to 340 times the naturally occurring strontium levels in the average person’s daily diet."

My concern is that it makes bones look denser and healthier on DEXA because strontium is denser than calcium and replaces it. So once we take it, the DEXA is likely skewed unless there is a radiologist skilled in interpreting.

Another concern is that the European medical board banned strontium ranelate for a time due to cardiovascular risks. Noone seems to know if strontium citrate poses the same risks. It is back on the market in Europe but only as a last resort for people who cannot tolerate anything else. In the US, supplements are not regulated so we need to be careful what brand we use.

I took it briefly 15 years ago and would consider it after treatment with meds for maintenance. I have been told strontium is not strong enough to deal with osteoporosis that is not mild. It would be dangerous for me to rely on it but those with osteopenia or very mild osteoporosis could try it. Just have to know the DEXA may look better than it is.

ps another issue is how long before strontium leaves the bones...not sure, need to research

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@drsuefowler

@psnmonna,
I'm glad you found a specialist at a university. I have seen 3 endocrinologists near where I live, but feel like I know more than they do. My regular endo even said I do. I am tired of doing my own doctoring!

I think that part of the trouble with bone markers is that they are difficult to order. My doctors kept messing up trying to order them, especially P1NP. My insurance covers them both and repeatedly, when ordered correctly.

I too am taking Tymlos. I am considering going back on Strontium. My regular endo thinks I should take that and raloxifene. The Strontium is just in case it helps. The Raloxifene is to lower my CTX which is up to 1414 on Tymlos.

Good luck with your new endocrinologist!

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The raloxifene is a synthetic form of hormone which does not match chemically the hormone which is produced in the human body.
Bioidentical hormones used topically match your bodies' chemical hormones.
Also, DHEA supplements or creams or pregnelone supplements work at the adrenal level to up your hormones naturally.
I would not take any hormone with out a good hormone specialist monitoring and the results from a good hormone work up, saliva test or serum base line test.
A compounding pharmacist will have the names of hormone drs in your area with which they work.

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@windyshores

2mcchesney I think it is important to mention that strontium at that level (680mg) is not actually "natural." That is not to say it is not helpful. Not sure how much is in groundwater that you cited and of course any website should be viewed with skepticism:
https://saveourbones.com/strontium-science-based-facts-vs-fiction/#:~:text=The%20estimated%20average%20daily%20intake%20from%20vegetables%20and,weight.%20Supplementing%20with%20strontium%20is%20clearly%20not%20natural.
Excerpted: "A typical strontium citrate supplement dosage (around 680mg) is 170 to 340 times the naturally occurring strontium levels in the average person’s daily diet."

My concern is that it makes bones look denser and healthier on DEXA because strontium is denser than calcium and replaces it. So once we take it, the DEXA is likely skewed unless there is a radiologist skilled in interpreting.

Another concern is that the European medical board banned strontium ranelate for a time due to cardiovascular risks. Noone seems to know if strontium citrate poses the same risks. It is back on the market in Europe but only as a last resort for people who cannot tolerate anything else. In the US, supplements are not regulated so we need to be careful what brand we use.

I took it briefly 15 years ago and would consider it after treatment with meds for maintenance. I have been told strontium is not strong enough to deal with osteoporosis that is not mild. It would be dangerous for me to rely on it but those with osteopenia or very mild osteoporosis could try it. Just have to know the DEXA may look better than it is.

ps another issue is how long before strontium leaves the bones...not sure, need to research

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Crossposted. @mcchesney please read my last post carefully. I always try to mention the ranelate when talking about Europe.

I am not opposed to strontium. But there are issues. Yes it improved density on the DEXA but it LOOKS denser because it is heavier. There are other issues too. I have used it and plan on considering it in the future but with eyes wide open. My case was too severe to rely on it. Good luck. (McCormick does not recommend in "Great Bones" but we need more research.)

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