Strontium alters bone scan readings - Osteoporosis Message Board

Helen C. · 03-19-2007, 12:26 PM

On another message board I sometimes read, we are discussing how Strontium skewers DEXA scan results. The technician reading the results must know if you are taking strontium so they can make an adjustment in reading your DEXA scan. The reason is, Strontium is heavier than calcium and if you're taking it, it's in your bones. For this reason, your bone density will be read as artificially high.
I am now thinking Strontium would also affect QCT bone scan results. I can't find anything about strontium and QCT testing on the internet and wonder if anyone here has any thoughts or information about this.

DesertBloom · 03-27-2007, 05:19 PM

Hi Helen: I've been trying to find an answer to your question, and the only thing I can find is the calculations you would use for a dexa while taking strontium. I don't see why they would be that different since these two tests are pretty similar (QCT and DEXA). I would think you could print out the suggestions that tomatojuice mentioned in an older post and ask the radiologist if these calculations would apply for a QCT. I hope this info isn't too late for you, but I was trying to find some more definitive info and couldn't find anything specific except for the DEXA calcs. Here's the thread from tomatojuice on this and I hope it helps. The most maddening thing for me is that since I've only had a QCT, I will NEVER know what my actual score was and that will make it impossible to compare to the DEXA when I get it next month. My insurance will only pay every 24 months unless it's a medical necessity. So I guess I'll always be in the dark as to what my actual first and second score was

[url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=445031&page=2[/url]

You can find a lot of info if you use the "Search this Thread" feature at the top of the page.

Good Luck... Did you already have the QCT? If so did it give you a very different score from the DEXA? since it is suppose to overestimate a t-score by at least 1 standard deviation point (lower). So if your DEXA was a better score the QCT would give you a worse score

That's why I don't want to have another QCT, because that's all I've ever had because DEXA's weren't available when I had it done 2 years ago in my one horse town

it's not really that bad, but if you ever have to have a comprehensive test or a specialist Drs consult you have to drive 55 miles to the closest Univ Hospital in another county, which is a hassle for me since sitting is an excruciating endeavor.

Good Luck and I would be really interested in the differences between the QCT score as opposed to the DEXA *if* you don't mind sharing, and you've already had it done. Good Luck with this!!!!

Helen C. · 03-29-2007, 05:38 PM

Dear Desert Bloom,
Thank you for trying to find answers for me. That was kind and generous of you. Today, I just called the Radiologist at the hospital where I will get my QCT on April 4th. She was very aware that strontium alters DEXA scans, but said it is a non-issue with QCT tests. I was so relieved to hear they weren't going to botch the test, that I didn't pay good attention to the reason why it is a non-issue.
I had my first DEXA test last September 1st and discovered I had osteoporosis. I took fosamax for the next 5 months, then switched to strontium. I will post my QCT test results for you as soon as I get them - hopefully next week. I'm just afraid the test results will be skewered by the change in treatment I made - 5 months of fosamax and then strontium.
The reason I'm getting a QCT test is to compare it to the QCT test I had five years ago, which I consider my baseline test. Helen

DesertBloom · 03-29-2007, 06:53 PM

Hi Helen: Well that is good news if the radiologist feels that Strontium is a non issue. Now you don't have to worry about providing any calculations. I hope you get the results from the QCT that you're looking for. Don't forget you can also have a 2 or 24 hr urine test called and NTx (n-telopeptide) that will show if the strontium is working. I have a good article on this from Medscape about NTx and Strontium if you ever want to read it. If so let me know and I'll post it. The only thing is you have to be registered to access the web site, but it's *free* and very simple to do. I'll explain more about what your test would want to show if your interested.

Helen C. · 03-30-2007, 08:03 PM

Desert Bloom - Great idea! Why didn't I think of it myself. Yes, I should definitely take that NTX test and see if the strontium is doing any good. I wonder about it every day. Have you done this?
I'd appreciate it if you could repost the info. I definitely want to do this and of course I will post my results here so everyone on Strontium can get a bit more information on its effectiveness. Helen