strontium citrate or strontium renalate - Osteoporosis Message Board

Myth · 10-26-2007, 06:32 AM

I have been taking strontium citrate for 3 months now & feel fine with it
but my endo wants to put me on strontium renalate because she says that there is no scientific proof that strontium citrate is effective whereas there is proof that strontium renalate is however the former is natural whereas the latter is manufactured in a lab, I would prefer to stay on strontium citrate only because its natural & less likely to cause side effects
what are your thoughts on this?
any ideas welcome

Myth

starfish81 · 10-26-2007, 11:32 AM

I read a website-it was a Canadian study-and we're not permitted to post websites here so can't direct you to it-but anyway, it basically said that strontium is strontium regardless of which salt (citrate/gluconate/ranelate) is attached to it. It's the strontium that is affecting bone activity, not the salt. Having said that, there are certain salts which facilitate absorption. I'm not sure if ranelate is one of them-likely is-but the degrees of absorption are probably not that dissimilar.
Your MD wants you on something which is "approved" because doctors have to cover themselves in case patients come back and sue them.
I'd suggest researching some comparisons of the salt component, then base your decision on that. You're actually fortunate that your doctor is knowlegeable about strontium. Here in N. America, most doctors still remain blissfully ignorant of anything other than Fosamax or Forteo

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phylwill1152 · 10-26-2007, 11:50 AM

Hi Myth... Does your insurance cover the cost of the SR? Maybe she is offering it to you to save you money. I'm not familiar with the medical system there, so i may be way off in that thinking. Like starfish said..she's covering herself just in case. What i told my dr. when i started the strontium was that i wouldn't hold him responsible if anything happened down the road. That seems to ease his mind.

Here's an idea.., since you've only been taking the SC for 3 months how about you ask/tell your endo that you'll try it for a year and if she's not happy with the results you'll try the SR. Have a good weekend..take care..phyllis

Myth · 10-26-2007, 03:25 PM

thank you for replies ,it is likely my endo is covering herself in offering strontium ranelate but also it would be cheaper than the citrate which I buy off the internet as here in Australia we have a pharmaceutical benefits system where certain drugs that are approved are then subsidised by the government for low income earners/pensioners etc
for example when I was on actonel it only cost $5 on pbs for a months supply whereas without pbs it was around $80 but cost aside I want to take what is the most beneficial and I am suspicious of pharmaceutical drugs in general
and I havent found any studies comparing varies strontiums, I will try to find that website thanks starfish and I think it a good idea thanks phywil to give citrate a chance.

Myth

peppurr · 10-27-2007, 02:32 PM

Hi Myth!

My Country is in the position of "looking" at this Renalate right now. It was my intention to take the SC until the SR is approved, however, I'm not so sure now. It seems that anything that comes from the pharmaceutical companies seems to have a couple of pages of side effects!!

We have people on this site that seem to be fairing well on the SC.

Think what I will do, is carry on with the SC for a year, have another scan and see where I'm at. If it does nothing, then I will probably switch to the SR which should be approved by them. In the meantime...I will keep reading here to see how everyone is doing and see who is taking SR and what, if any, their side effects are.