BHRT plus bone supplements with algae derived calcium plus strontium

Posted by marjoram2 @marjoram2, Nov 20, 2025

I am 82. Three endocrinologists have recommended Evenity to me. I am concerned with black box warning. And I don't like that after 1 year one must go on a different bone med--most of which also have scary side effects and produce some kind of frankenbone.
Years of blood thinners and thyroid meds have apparently eaten my bones despite regular weight lifting and trying to stat fit. I have lost several inches and have T8 and T9 vertebra fractures. Changed from Warfarin to Eloquis blood thinner (hopefully for the better).
In checking around internet, I notice the most satisfied older women dealing with osteoporosis seem to be doing well on BHRT along with Algae based calcium/mineral supplements and strontium. I recently started using compounded BHRT cream based on saliva test along with these bone supplements plus strontium. Anyone have thoughts or experience based on this approach (along with high protein diet and exercise of course).

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

Profile picture for singingbones @singingbones

I strongly recommend you check out Inspire.com and under the Osteoporosis category find Strontium Citrate success stories--they are numerous. Many of these gals have been taking this mineral for years and are no longer in osteopenia or osteoporosis categories. And note the age of these women--you'll be encouraged!

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@singingbones Strontium has given me hives! I took it for a few days and now have hives. I did find a case study of the same thing with another woman. On common denominator was that we both take Synthroid, Proceed with caution. I am hoping no real damage was done. I took it for only a week. The woman who was hospitalized took it for 6 weeks. Of course it may be that it was something else that gave the woman hives. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7985217/

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

@singingbones Strontium has given me hives! I took it for a few days and now have hives. I did find a case study of the same thing with another woman. On common denominator was that we both take Synthroid, Proceed with caution. I am hoping no real damage was done. I took it for only a week. The woman who was hospitalized took it for 6 weeks. Of course it may be that it was something else that gave the woman hives. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7985217/

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@blueberre - thank you for the heads-up! I so appreciate your continued research to find the common denominator for the hives outbreak. I am not on any medications (except for Evenity, which will be eliminated in 6-mo), but I will continue to research this promising mineral. There are so many variables with all of this OP journey. I'm sorry SC didn't work out for you. I will take it strategically to log and monitor any personal reactions.

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

@singingbones Strontium has given me hives! I took it for a few days and now have hives. I did find a case study of the same thing with another woman. On common denominator was that we both take Synthroid, Proceed with caution. I am hoping no real damage was done. I took it for only a week. The woman who was hospitalized took it for 6 weeks. Of course it may be that it was something else that gave the woman hives. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7985217/

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@blueberre - just found this on Inspire.com. Not sure if it provides any more info than you already have, but thought I'd include the link just in case:
https://www.inspire.com/groups/bone-health-and-osteoporosis/discussion/strontium-ranelate-with-dress-syndrome/

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Profile picture for singingbones @singingbones

@blueberre - just found this on Inspire.com. Not sure if it provides any more info than you already have, but thought I'd include the link just in case:
https://www.inspire.com/groups/bone-health-and-osteoporosis/discussion/strontium-ranelate-with-dress-syndrome/

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@singingbones Algae Cal Strontium is not the ranelate form, but the citrate form. Citrate is supposed to be safer, but apparently, not for me. Every one might have a different reaction. What I found interesting was that the woman in the case study was also on thyroid medication, so that might be a clue. Hives have somewhat cleared up, but sure was a step backwards in my bone health journey.

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

I am going to start BHRT soon with a knowledgeable clinic. I had been taking Algae Cal and decided to add Strontium in the mean time. I seem to have broken out in hives after taking the strontium. I did find one case study of exactly the same reaction. Sadly, the woman who had the same reaction as I did with the hives, continued to take it for 6 weeks. I stopped after the first week. Common denominator, we both are on Levothyroxine. Has any one else had this reaction?

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@blueberre
I am on levothyroxine and on strontium citrate and have not had this reaction, nor can I find any research on strontium citrate that shows this reaction.
Actually the one case study to which you are referring was not a case of hives it was a case of DRESS with granulomatous dermatitis; a totally different condition than hives.
DRESS can be found as a reaction to most supplements, drugs and even foods.
With this one case the woman was taking levothyroxine, sumatriptan, topiramate, trazodone, and alprazolam. She also reported taking one supplement called “elderberry. Plus, she also was taking 3 other supplements: Sleepwell, AlgaeCal Plus, and strontium citrate.
Algae Cal Plus and strontium citrate both have medical levels of strontium in them. So she was taking double the recommended dose of strontium citrate. Imagine even taking double the recommended amount of water every day and the dangers that that would hold.
Multiple research studies of strontium citrate have not found this reaction, but then they weren't misusing strontium citrate nor were they taking such a large quantity of other drugs and supplements.

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Profile picture for mcchesney @kathleen1314

@blueberre
I am on levothyroxine and on strontium citrate and have not had this reaction, nor can I find any research on strontium citrate that shows this reaction.
Actually the one case study to which you are referring was not a case of hives it was a case of DRESS with granulomatous dermatitis; a totally different condition than hives.
DRESS can be found as a reaction to most supplements, drugs and even foods.
With this one case the woman was taking levothyroxine, sumatriptan, topiramate, trazodone, and alprazolam. She also reported taking one supplement called “elderberry. Plus, she also was taking 3 other supplements: Sleepwell, AlgaeCal Plus, and strontium citrate.
Algae Cal Plus and strontium citrate both have medical levels of strontium in them. So she was taking double the recommended dose of strontium citrate. Imagine even taking double the recommended amount of water every day and the dangers that that would hold.
Multiple research studies of strontium citrate have not found this reaction, but then they weren't misusing strontium citrate nor were they taking such a large quantity of other drugs and supplements.

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@kathleen1314 I have been taking Algae Cal plus and do not see Strontium on the label. Boron, yes, but no strontium. Yes, she was taking a lot of meds.

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

@kathleen1314 I have been taking Algae Cal plus and do not see Strontium on the label. Boron, yes, but no strontium. Yes, she was taking a lot of meds.

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I still will be excluding any for of Strontium from my supplement line up. It just doesn't work for me.

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

@singingbones Algae Cal Strontium is not the ranelate form, but the citrate form. Citrate is supposed to be safer, but apparently, not for me. Every one might have a different reaction. What I found interesting was that the woman in the case study was also on thyroid medication, so that might be a clue. Hives have somewhat cleared up, but sure was a step backwards in my bone health journey.

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@blueberre - yes, the two forms of strontium are not the same--just thought there might be something to glean from the post. Glad to hear the hives are clearing up for you.

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Profile picture for singingbones @singingbones

@blueberre - yes, the two forms of strontium are not the same--just thought there might be something to glean from the post. Glad to hear the hives are clearing up for you.

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@singingbones Thank you. I just wanted to clarify, while the rash is clearing up, I do not know what it was. I used the word hives lightly, although I have never had hives so not sure. I did not feel the need to go to a doctor since it started to clear after stopping the Strontium Boost, which I know is strontium citrate. Probably works for a lot of people, but myself, having Hashimoto's , I have to watch what I take. Just wanted to relay my experience. I did not want to deter others from Algae Cal. I will still take the regular Algae Cal, (I actually took that for months before the Strontium) but never again with the Strontium Boost. Lots of water, calamine lotion and an antihistamine seemed to help. Thanks again.

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Profile picture for blueberre @blueberre

@singingbones Thank you. I just wanted to clarify, while the rash is clearing up, I do not know what it was. I used the word hives lightly, although I have never had hives so not sure. I did not feel the need to go to a doctor since it started to clear after stopping the Strontium Boost, which I know is strontium citrate. Probably works for a lot of people, but myself, having Hashimoto's , I have to watch what I take. Just wanted to relay my experience. I did not want to deter others from Algae Cal. I will still take the regular Algae Cal, (I actually took that for months before the Strontium) but never again with the Strontium Boost. Lots of water, calamine lotion and an antihistamine seemed to help. Thanks again.

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@blueberre - Interesting...there are some similarities in our experiences (not identical). I also wrestle with Hashimoto's. I took AlgaeCal at the advice of my integrative dr to begin to proactively address osteoporosis. It gave me loose stools after only a few days. I'll never know if it was the type of magnesium or the algae element or anything else included. I did not have any trouble with their Strontium Boost. I finished the bottle of SC and started with a more inexpensive brand. Again, no issues. I was aware of my right ankle creaking whenever I climbed our stairs for many yrs. After only 2.5 months on SC the creaking disappeared. I had to stop taking SC when the dr talked me into taking Evenity. I'm halfway through the course and my ankle has been back to creaking for several months now.

Obviously, this is not "proof", but just my experience & personal observations.

I did find a product that includes all the trace minerals that are in AlgaeCal, except for calcium and magnesium. I want to be able to monitor the quantity and type on both of those supplements.

Praying we both get the clarity and discernment we need in how to proceed. Take care!

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