Testing before and during fosamax (alendronate) after Tymlos

Posted by bluebonnet242 @bluebonnet242, May 5 11:45am

I am finishing Tymlos and will be going on alendronate (fosamax) instead of reclast. Did your doctors order dexa before starting alendronate? Also CTX and P1NP? Any other tests?

I can order the CTX and P1NP on my own but need a doctor’s order for the dexa. I was just curious what was typical? Also testing while on alendronate. Yearly dexa? CTX and P1NP?

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tillymack | @tillymack | 3 days ago

In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@rajmayo22 @njx58 Did you test P1NP and CTX the last week of Tymlos and then start..." + (show)

@bluebonnet242 Are the P1NP and CTX tests blood tests?

bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | 3 days ago

In reply to @tillymack "@bluebonnet242 Are the P1NP and CTX tests blood tests?" + (show)

@tillymack
Yes, they are bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the tests are done via blood draw.

njx58 | @njx58 | 3 days ago

In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@rajmayo22 @njx58 Did you test P1NP and CTX the last week of Tymlos and then start..." + (show)

@bluebonnet242 No. I had the tests two months prior, along with my DEXA. Assumption was that two more months of Tymlos at that point wouldn't affect the tests very much. The big change happens after you are on a biphosphonate.

tillymack | @tillymack | 2 days ago

In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@tillymack Yes, they are bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the tests are done via blood draw." + (show)

@bluebonnet242 Would you request having that done even if those tests are not used at this medical center?

bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | 2 days ago

In reply to @njx58 "@bluebonnet242 No. I had the tests two months prior, along with my DEXA. Assumption was that..." + (show)

@njx58 Thanks that’s very helpful. I’ve already had my dexa so I’ll go ahead and schedule my BTMs. Did you start alendronate immediately after Tymlos?

bluebonnet242 | @bluebonnet242 | 2 days ago

In reply to @tillymack "@bluebonnet242 Would you request having that done even if those tests are not used at this..." + (show)

@tillymack please forgive me but I’m not sure if I understand the question you asked, so please let me know if you feel if I did not answer your question. Yes, I would still get the tests. I like having the information. I still think it may be useful even if my doctor doesn’t. Who knows I may find a doctor that finds the tests useful 🙂 I use the same lab each time I get the BTMs done and it is not the lab my doctor uses. I’ve been getting these tests for the last 2 years and had a different doctor order them for me when I found out my endo wasn’t big on them. I was actually surprised when she agreed to order them at my last appointment.

tillymack | @tillymack | 2 days ago

Thank you!

njx58 | @njx58 | 2 days ago

In reply to @bluebonnet242 "@njx58 Thanks that’s very helpful. I’ve already had my dexa so I’ll go ahead and schedule..." + (show)

@bluebonnet242 Yes. No point in waiting. A weekly pill is very manageable.

rajmayo22 | @rajmayo22 | 2 days ago

I did not test for P1NP and CTX right away. My endo and I wanted to check the two values as a baseline for Fosamax. I don't think that's what literature suggests.
I started Alendronate after a couple months.

I am due for DEXA and P1NP and CTX early Fall.

Good luck!