ADT (leuprolide/Lupron) and Teeth

Interesting! About to have a similar conversation with my dentist next week. I have a few teeth that are falling apart. Just tiny chips every now and then. Like the enamel is just chipping away. On Orgovyx not Lupron though.

I’ve heard about rare cases of tooth loss due to loss of bone density.

Did you have a pre-treatment DEXA scan to check bone density? If you did, have a follow-up DEXA scan to compare against the baseline. (ADT can cause bone loss.)

When people have problems with their jaw bones due to Lupron, it is really due to taking bone strengthening drugs. All of those drugs increase the chance of osteonecrosis. Definitely seems that’s not what’s going on in your case.

The dentist is absolutely correct. I am a retired dentist and it is true that teeth, once they are formed are static in nature.
True, they can decay due to acid attack, and they can also re-mineralize ever so slightly – almost microscopically – from topical applications of strong fluoride compounds.
But ADT, in no way will cause your teeth to become weakened to the point of breakage. It can do this to bone, which is constantly in a state of flux, but not teeth…they are inert.
This is one thing you definitely do not have to worry about on ADT. Best,
Phil

Thanks, all. Your responses have eased my concern.

Trying to save a few pence rather than trashing that stale roll cost me quite (American meaning) a bit! As my liiberally adjusted anti-proverb goes: "Pence wise, 150 GBP -- and counting!!! -- foolish!" 😉

Agree with others that teeth are not affected by Lupron. Bones, however, are. I went into osteoporosis after two years on Eligard.
I am returning to ADT next week after a long holiday and will be trying Estradiol, which has much less impact on bones.

All ADT and T loss contributes to muscle atrophy and bone loss.. And yes Prolia and other similar drugs can actually increase fracture risk (study osteoblasts and osteocasts appearing to be more dense but fragility increases....) plus I used to take Calcium supplements and that contributed to calcified aortic valve; eventually had valve replaced (TAVR). Calcium is not smart and doesn't know you want it go to to the bones not heart.

The other thing on my mind is whether if you're 80 or older one ought to discontinue Orgovyx or anything; if you have localized PC; because by the time it breaks out you're near 90. Plus low T accelerates aging, right?

@seer
I know in my case low T has not accelerated aging. People are pretty surprised when I tell them I’m 78, they think I’m at least 10 years younger. Not only do I look younger, but I am very active, I walk a mile on the track twice a day every day at good speed and I go to the gym three days a week and exercise with weights the whole time. The track I go to is near a middle school and those kids run/walk on that track Every day. I’m constantly passing them up if they’re walking.

I get blood tests every month and the test for kidneys, liver, thyroid come back normal. I have relatively low blood pressure.

Results really do vary with low T.

I’ve been on ADT for over eight years.

I'm glad for you; but unfortunately that's atypical from what I've read. I was on a solid year of Orovyx and got very miserable and weak... then began intermittent therapy resuming whenever PSA rose over a threshold. Now I'm about to see a new oncologist (the other left town) and debate this approach... and I'm 82 by the way and for a long time have appreciated your frequent posts. I to go to the gym but do not have the stamina you have for any such running or walking.... but I also have a lower back sacral injury which inhibit everything.. and severe spinal stenosis that is not unusual at-age, but might have been accelerated by what I've described (low T etc.)