How Strontium Works, cont. - Osteoporosis Message Board

PikaB · 05-23-2008, 05:50 PM

The old thread with this title was wandering off topic, so I thought I'd start a new thread.

At the 2006 World Congress of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, held in Toronto, there were several research presentations concerning strontium, based on bone biopsies of patients taking strontium ranelate. Among the findings:

1. Strontium is incorporated into new bone, but does not find its way into older bone, even after three years of use.

2. Strontium changes the microarchitecture of bone. One researcher stated that the best way to think of this is to imagine bone as a tube filled with styrofoam packing (bone structural units); on strontium ranelate, the nature of the packing does not change, but the amount of packing and how it fits together does. Normally, trabecular bone consists of rod-like structures. On strontium ranelate, trabecular bone consists of a plate-like pattern.

That's very interesting. On strontium ranelate, the bone structure is no longer "normal" bone structure. Let's just hope this altered bone doesn't have any undiscovered long-term negative side effects.

montesflus · 05-23-2008, 07:18 PM

PikaB:

I can't imagine any ''undiscovered long-term side effects'' from Strontium being worse than those already suffered, and still suffering, by long-term users of ''bisphosphonate'' drugs

monte

Myth · 05-23-2008, 08:57 PM

are we guinea pigs yet again ?

I cannot find any long term studies on the effect of strontium on osteoporosis
but it does make the dexa results look good.
and I have found there are some negative side effects such as headache, diarrhea, skin irritation, blood clots, memory problems, seizures

Canna · 05-24-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PikaB

The old thread with this title was wandering off topic, so I thought I'd start a new thread.

At the 2006 World Congress of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, held in Toronto, there were several research presentations concerning strontium, based on bone biopsies of patients taking strontium ranelate. Among the findings:

1. Strontium is incorporated into new bone, but does not find its way into older bone, even after three years of use.

2. Strontium changes the microarchitecture of bone. One researcher stated that the best way to think of this is to imagine bone as a tube filled with styrofoam packing (bone structural units); on strontium ranelate, the nature of the packing does not change, but the amount of packing and how it fits together does. Normally, trabecular bone consists of rod-like structures. On strontium ranelate, trabecular bone consists of a plate-like pattern.

That's very interesting. On strontium ranelate, the bone structure is no longer "normal" bone structure. Let's just hope this altered bone doesn't have any undiscovered long-term negative side effects.

I just went to IOF World Osteoporosis Congress and read up on it... they said they are held every 2 years so that was in 2006 so we must keep watching for the 2008 one. Apparently with strontium the bone becomes thicker which improves the strength and of course that explains the decreased risk for fractures in those on strontium treatments. Phyllis if you are reading.. this is interesting as we talked about not taking strontium for 30 days prior to our dexa scans just last week.... it stated once strontium is stopped it is rapidly cleared from the bone (so I am assuming gives a more accurate reading) whereas bisphosphonates continue to appear in urine even up to 8 years after stopping!!!!! It also said Osteoporotic women stand to benefit the proven efficacy and tolerability of strontium treatment!!

phylwill1152 · 05-24-2008, 10:59 AM

Hi...interesting stuff in this thread. Nothing is perfect and its a matter of choosing the lesser of the evil choices. I read the same thing about strontium leaving the body quickly, its good to know that it won't be lingering for many moons to come. If strontium malanate gets FDA approved we'll be seeing a lot more on it and will maybe see a decline in the use current meds as dr. become familiar with it. Its a like anything else we deal with as we age...its wait and see. Have a good Memeorial Day..take care...phyllis