Bone Health Trestment

@kathleen1314 Thanks for the links. Bottom line is that there are no peer reviewed, phase 3, double blinded, controlled studies on strontium citrate to reduce fracture risk. At best, it remains a supplement that may help but is not FDA approved for the treatment of osteoporosis. Perhaps one day it will be studied in this nature but doubt it will be because there is no ROI for drug or supplement companies.

I understand why some people take it, though, in the hopes it will help increase their BMD and thus reduce their fracture risk. There does seem to be some evidence for this in animal studies.

It’s an interesting supplement. I have considered taking it at times but have been hesistant due to the effect on DEXA and the lack of scientific research on strontium citrate for fracture reduction. This is the gold standard for me, having experienced an osteoporosis-related fracture in the past. My BMD has been quite stable over the years and not that low so I don’t put too much weight on it for my treatment.

Unfortunately, one cannot extrapolate studies on strontium ranelate to strontium citrate. Two chemical compounds carrying the same atom will not always have the same level of absorption or outcome in our bodies. An example of this would be thinking that sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate have the same effect in our bodies because they both carry a sodium atom.

@oopsiedaisy Like you, I have/am considering taking Strontium supplements. Significantly worse T-scores than I have now would most likely push me over the threshold and I would take SrC now. Strontium may well significantly help reduce fractures. But Sr comes at a cost of probably making your DEXA scan appear artificially inflated with bone density looking better than is the case. And that cost lasts 10+ years.

The Mirza study link that @kathleen1314 helpfully provides above includes the below excerpts of the type of information that still makes me hang back from Sr:

"... Due to its high molecular weight, this 1% incorporation of Sr causes an
average overestimation of BMD of 10% [15]. Following 10 years
of SrR therapy, most of the Sr content is still retained ..."

"... Much of the bone density increase being seen with
SrC is likely due to the replacement of calcium with strontium in
the bone. Strontium has a larger atomic weight than calcium (38
vs 20), which causes it to attenuate X-rays more strongly than
calcium. Hence the readings on the DEXA scan appear artificially
inflated with bone density looking better than is the case. ..."

@kathleen1314 Thanks for the links. Bottom line is that there are no peer reviewed, phase 3, double blinded, controlled studies on strontium citrate to reduce fracture risk. At best, it remains a supplement that may help but is not FDA approved for the treatment of osteoporosis. Perhaps one day it will be studied in this nature but doubt it will be because there is no ROI for drug or supplement companies.

I understand why some people take it, though, in the hopes it will help increase their BMD and thus reduce their fracture risk. There does seem to be some evidence for this in animal studies.

It’s an interesting supplement. I have considered taking it at times but have been hesistant due to the effect on DEXA and the lack of scientific research on strontium citrate for fracture reduction. This is the gold standard for me, having experienced an osteoporosis-related fracture in the past. My BMD has been quite stable over the years and not that low so I don’t put too much weight on it for my treatment.

Unfortunately, one cannot extrapolate studies on strontium ranelate to strontium citrate. Two chemical compounds carrying the same atom will not always have the same level of absorption or outcome in our bodies. An example of this would be thinking that sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate have the same effect in our bodies because they both carry a sodium atom.

@broken13 I'm currently on Evenity. I have two more shots to go. Previously did 5+ years on Fosamax followed up by 5 months of Tymlos and 2 months of generic Forteo.

Also on bHRT for many years now and all the recommended lifestyle changes (diet/exercise). I take vitamin K. I'm no longer taking supplemental calcium but ensure I get 1000 mg in my diet every day. The latter is at my endocrinologist's recommendation. I have high urinary calcium.

@broken13 I'm currently on Evenity. I have two more shots to go. Previously did 5+ years on Fosamax followed up by 5 months of Tymlos and 2 months of generic Forteo.

Also on bHRT for many years now and all the recommended lifestyle changes (diet/exercise). I take vitamin K. I'm no longer taking supplemental calcium but ensure I get 1000 mg in my diet every day. The latter is at my endocrinologist's recommendation. I have high urinary calcium.

@kfhoz
The dexa scan skew from denser strontium is no longer considered a concern. This is because TBS and REMS are not affected by strontium's denser weight and both show good density and bone quality for strontium users.

@oopsiedaisy
What change have evenity, Fosamax or Tymlos or Forteo made in your osteoporosis for the better. Hopefully, you are now in normal bone density territory with normal TBS with no fractures and no side effects. I think it helps all of us to see and celebrate one another's good results.

I am a strontium citrate user with BHRT and all the usual suspects of exercise and needed nutrition. I have been in normal bone density territory for years, never diminishing since I began strontium citrate. I had a normal TBS report this past December. All without any side effects and no fractures.

I hope the best for everyone's chosen bone plan. Indeed, I rejoice over anyone's gains. We are all in this together.

@kathleen1314 I heard that people get better scores from strontium, but question the actual effect on bones…I am concerned about adding another med and possible drug interactions…that said, many people here seem to be very happy with results from strontium.

@kathleen1314 My bone density has been stable for years. Osteopenia in my spine, hips just into the osteoporosis range. It improved on Fosamax for the first two years then decreased slightly.

I don't have another DEXA until July so we'll see how it looks.

I don't judge my outcome by T-scores, though. Clearly, I have underlying issues because I fractured my spine even with a T-score that was in osteopenic range. I use fractures as my outcome measurement.

I have not fractured for 2.5 years despite an extremely active lifestyle so I am happy with that.

Recently, it was discovered that I have idiopathic hypercalciuria which may have contributed to my osteoporosis. My dad had a similar issue; never diagnosed with osteoporosis as it pre-dated DEXA scanning. IH looks to be genetic so I may have inherited the tendency from him.

@kfhoz
The dexa scan skew from denser strontium is no longer considered a concern. This is because TBS and REMS are not affected by strontium's denser weight and both show good density and bone quality for strontium users.