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What is a reasonable C-Telopeptide marker value

Posted by hungrybirder @hungrybirder, Jan 22, 2025

Seeking help from the knowledgeable ladies (and gents) in this group. I'm an almost 79 yr old female. I had my latest DEXA scan in November which showed great improvement in my spine over the ones done the previous 3 years; none at the hips. However the machine used was upgraded this year so it may not be an apples to apples comparison and the test result showed that it was not compared to anything.
In December 2023 I had a Reclast infusion which may have contributed to the improved spinal readings.
I've just received the results of the C-Telopeptide test with a reading of 132 and have no clue if this is high or low. Does it appear the Reclast is still preventing degradation? I know now that probably would have benefited from an anabolic but what's done is done. I'd like to take a drug holiday and eventually go on a bone builder. Any comments would we helpful.

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mariannegr | @mariannegr | 2 days ago
In reply to @kristie2 "@mariannegr Measures collagen fragments released into the blood when bone is broken down, aiding in the..." + (show)
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@mariannegr Measures collagen fragments released into the blood when bone is broken down, aiding in the diagnosis of high-turnover bone diseases and monitoring treatment efficacy. I would say this is on the higher side. I would also ask for a P1NP which would tell you how active your bone building cells are.
I do this test every 3 months.

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@kristie2
Thank you for your response. I will ask my doc for the P1MP, but, I’m pretty sure he will just be insulted and not order it. I think I need to get with an Endocrinologist even though I’m sure the best bet to find one will be in LA a 2 hour drive.
Thank you again,
Marianne

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kristie2 | @kristie2 | 2 days ago
In reply to @mariannegr "@kristie2 Thank you for your response. I will ask my doc for the P1MP, but, I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for mariannegr @mariannegr

@kristie2
Thank you for your response. I will ask my doc for the P1MP, but, I’m pretty sure he will just be insulted and not order it. I think I need to get with an Endocrinologist even though I’m sure the best bet to find one will be in LA a 2 hour drive.
Thank you again,
Marianne

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@mariannegr it’s a P1NP

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rjd | @rjd | 8 hours ago
In reply to @michieg "@rjd My insurance has not covered these tests (CTX and P1NP) twice for me when they..." + (show)
Profile picture for michieg @michieg

@rjd My insurance has not covered these tests (CTX and P1NP) twice for me when they were ordered as part of a series of labs by my Endo while undergoing Tymlos treatment. They say the tests are 'investigational' and not widely approved. That means they will not cover the charge the lab is billing for that particular test, BEFORE any insurance-negotiated 'adjustment'. So if the lab normally bills my insurance for $250 for a test but if covered they end up receiving no more than $10 for it under their 'negotiated' agreement, the lab turns around and makes me pay the full $250 for the denied test! So it is far cheaper for me to pay Jason Health $50 for it retail than wait for my insurance to deny and have the lab dock me the full $250. It's SUCH a scam!

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@michieg Who is your insurance company?. This is the type of practice that makes us lose our faith in receiving adequate health care. Have you spoken to the Lab about you paying the same rate as your insurer, which they already accept as a reasonable rate.

Many years ago I had a very high deductible insurance policy. I was allowed to pay the rate the provider would have accepted from the insurer after meeting the deductible. That saved me a lot of money over the jacked-up retail cost charged by the 'provider' to the uninsured.

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