Osteoporosis treatment or strontium citrate?

Sure, you can take two things that don't work at the same time. Strontium is another thing that makes your bones look bigger and stronger - but it is an illusion. They discovered this after nuclear bombs went off. They found that people in the area appeared to have stronger bones, But it doesn't last. There are several kinds of strontium and some of it is banned in Europe for being unsafe. I took strontium for about six months - then I threw it out. You could have had mine. BTW: I started with a DEXA scan that showed -5.7 and after taking strontium, I was still at -5.7. I''ll be getting another DEXA scan as soon as this pandemic is over with and I will post my new scan score when that happens. I'm using calcium, magnesium, D3, K2, boron and collagen peptides. I am also using an extremely low dose of estrogen. I was fracturing two years ago - but I am not fracturing now. Knock on wood. I am a very active gardener.

You might want to look at Boron if you want a miracle fix.

@parrotqueen You sent me this information Im not on strontium I think you want to check out who sent this to you about strontium .

Yes strontium citrate may be used with Forte or Prolia; obviously, it will obscure the results of both strontium and Forte or Prolia so you won't know which is working...but really that may only matter to researchers and or doctors....

Strontium citrate is an earth mineral similar to calcium. The body seems to use it in bone similar to the way it uses calcium. Research has shown that strontium seems to turn on calcium receptors in the body.
Some on this site have said that strontium produces false readings and that bone is not healthier as you use strontium. Research has not shown that to be the case. Instead research shows that strontium produces bone that is less likely to fracture and bone mineralization is kept. Research also shows that the dxa read may be as high as 10% too high because strontium is a heavier mineral. This is called the dxa skew, but as long as the dxa skews upward the actual number is not as important since many things may skew a dxa number including different dxa machines.

BoneLady has a good blog that shows current research and comparisons.
http://strontiumforbones.blogspot.com/2017/02/mots-and-comb-study-comparison.html

Here are some postings on Inspire with research for strontium
https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/2011-report-that-strontium-is-17-times-as-effective-as-alendronate/
https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/strontium-used-in-bone-tissue-remodeling/
https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/strontium-does-it-prevent-fractures-research-articles-personal-stories/

I hope that this may be helpful as you research your options.

Hi @judiruss, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You ask a great question about whether supplements can be used in conjunction with prescribed medicines. I can understand your wanting to give your bones the best chance. However, it is important to know what works, what may have negative interactions, etc. So I went on a search for evidence-based articles.

Strontium comes in several forms: strontium citrate, strontium chloride, strontium ranelate, etc. None have been approved in the U.S. The forms of strontium available over-the-counter in the U.S. or on the Internet are usually strontium citrate or strontium chloride. These forms are different from the ranelate compound and there have been no studies showing that they are safe or effective. Strontium ranelate was authorized in the European Union in 2014 to treat severe osteoporosis, but was approval was withdrawn in 2017 and is no longer be recommended to treat osteoporosis because of data demonstrating serious negative side effects. This article explains in greater detail.
- Why Strontium Is Not Advised for Bone Health https://americanbonehealth.org/medications-bone-health/why-strontium-is-not-advised-for-bone-health/

With all the treatment options out there, Mayo Clinic researchers set out to do a comparative analysis. "There are too many drugs that are used for osteoporosis," says M. Hassan Murad, M.D., an internal medicine doctor and a clinical epidemiologist in the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. "We wanted to compare them so that patients and physicians can make informed decisions." The studies they reviewed, conducted around the world, tested one or more of the following interventions: various bisphosphonates, teriparatide, selective estrogen receptor modulators, denosumab, abaloparatide, romosozumab, estrogen with or without progesterone, calcitonin, lasofoxifene, strontium ranelate, tibolone, PTH 1-84, calcium, or vitamin D. You can read more about their findings here:
- Finding what works best to stop osteoporosis in its tracks https://advancingthescience.mayo.edu/2019/06/17/finding-what-works-best-to-stop-osteoporosis-in-its-tracks/

Judi, are you currently taking Forte? or Prolia?

I posted this earlier in another discussion where members were asking questions about boron.

This article provides a great overview of evidence. "Boron supplementation cannot be recommended on the basis of current research. Its basic role in metabolism of bone and the reproductive system remains unclear."
– Boron Supplementation for Low Bone Density and Osteoarthritis (2002) https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/118545-boron-supplementation-for-low-bone-density-and-osteoarthritis

More recent info here:
– Brains, Bones, and Boron https://www.healthline.com/health/brains-bones-boron
"While boron supplements have been considered as a possible treatment for people with arthritis, more clinical evidence is needed to support this claim.
Boron is considered safe for most people, but large amounts can be harmful. There also isn’t data regarding a safe level for children younger than 1 year old. Its safety hasn’t been studied in pregnant women.
It’s important that you talk with your doctor before taking supplements. It’s unlikely that boron supplements are necessary. Most experts recommend increasing intake through dietary sources like fruits and vegetables before considering supplements.
If you don’t want to take additional boron supplements, eating foods that contain boron, like prunes, raisins, dried apricots, or avocados, can help increase boron levels."

– NIH Medline Plus: Boron https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/894.html
"When taken by mouth: Boron is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses that don't exceed 20 mg per day. Boron is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in higher doses. There is some concern that doses over 20 mg per day might harm a man's ability to father a child. Large quantities of boron can also cause poisoning. Signs of poisoning include skin inflammation and peeling, irritability, tremors, convulsions, weakness, headaches, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms."
"Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Boron might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, avoid supplemental boron or high amounts of boron from foods."

As always, please consult with your medical provider before taking supplements.

Sorry Lioness - of course I didn't mean to send this to you!

Boron has been found to be safe up to 20 mg per day. It DOES affect estrogen at higher levels. There are many people who take Boron at levels above 150 mg per day, which I am not comfortable with. I have a fatty tumor in my right breast. I was sent to a breast cancer specialist to rule out cancer, and that doctor didn't bat an eye at my consumption of boron.

How I wish this pandemic would finally stop! The numbers are still rising in my area of CA. Since I have NO immune system, my doctor will not let me get my DEXA scan until the numbers go down.

Dr. Jorge Fletches, who trained at Loma Linda in CA, has osteoporosis. He takes a high dose of boron. He reports that after losing a half inch of height, he began taking boron and has not lost any more height in many years, I would need to listen to his talk again to give you details (I'm recovering from shingles and kidney failure - and my brain is not what it was before I got sick). His talk is available on You Tube. lHe spoke about the connection with estrogen.

There are women on the Facebook group called Osteoporosis Natural Remedies who are trying both strontium and boron. I guess it is time I check back with them to see if they have any findings yet. Last time I checked in, they had given up on strontium.

@parrotqueen I still take the protocol you told me about Boron everyday