Strontium citrate, collagen, testosterone and other possible alternatives

[FleetRose]

I have a lot of health issues at the moment -Polymyalgia, Hashimotos as well as Osteoporosis. I am waiting to hear whether my consultant will consider prescribing Teraperatide instead of the so far offered Denosumab which I am not keen on.

I know that strontium was and still is considered very effective. Does anyone know how one can buy the citrate form in the UK or does it have to be imported from the US with extortionate customs charges? Please PM me if that is appropriate.

I am considering having my hormone levels checked. Does anyone have any knowledge about the effect of testosterone on bones?

Finally is there any solid research on collagen and bone health? I understand there are lots of different types of collagen and only some affect bone health.

I'd be very grateful if you can shine a l light on any of these. Thank you.

[Met00]

I buy Best Naturals strontium citrate from Amazon. You need to be aware that there's uncertainty about health risks. The prescription version, strontium ranelate, can cause heart and kidney problems for anyone with existing issues and can raise blood pressure. It isn't known whether strontium citrate carries the same risks - it depends whether the strontium itself is the culprit, or the ranelate compound.

[FleetRose in reply to Met00]

Thank you for your prompt reply Met00. Did you do any health checks prior to starting with strontium or do you monitor your heart and kidney function in any way now?

[Met00 in reply to FleetRose]

I'd had a full health check not long before starting strontium citrate, including a heart blood test and everything was normal. I've kept an eye on my blood pressure, which is on the low side anyway, and it has remained largely unchanged. I've taken strontium citrate for over 5 years, but always a low dose: 1/4 dose for 2 years, 1/2 dose for 2 years, then back to 1/4 dose.

[Collywobbles64]

hi, dr Sarah myhill site does Strontium from citrate.

[salagoo]

I’m prescribed Strontium Ranelate, been on it for 17 years, but it hasn’t been available due to a shortage of an ingredient since October 2023, though according to the ROS should be back in March….fingers crossed. Meanwhile I’ve been getting strontium citrate from iHerb.com - no extortionate customs charges unless you buy too much in one go !

[FleetRose in reply to salagoo]

Thank you for your reply and thank you Collywobbles 64 and Met00 also. Interesting that Strontium Ranelate may become available again though I understand that the citrate version is better. Have any of you suffered from side effects related to either drug? What is the recommended dose of Strontium citrate?

[salagoo in reply to FleetRose]

Hi FleetRose - I've never had any side effects from either Strontium Ranelate or strontium citrate...and that's 16 years on Strontium Ranelate and just over a year on strontium citrate. The recommended dose of strontium citrate is what supplies 680mg of elemental strontium which is the same amount of elemental strontium as in Strontium Ranelate.

The ROS website says stocks of Strontium Ranelate ran out in October 2023 because of "lack of the main ingredient” - this is a temporary situation and it should be available again in March 🤞

[FleetRose in reply to salagoo]

Thank you, that is good news. I’m seeing my rheumatologist later this week so will ask him about it.

[salagoo]

Thought I would just add here that I have a heart problem, I was born with a heart defect and have had heart surgery - both my cardiologist and my rheumatologist are happy that I take Strontium Ranelate, and strontium citrate at the moment.

I have looked at what is available about the study that was done about ten years ago which caused the hassle about Strontium Ranelate: approx 6,000 women with osteoporosis, approx 3,000 on Strontium Ranelate and 3,000 on placebo. Of the 3,000 on Strontium Ranelate1.7% got a non-fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack) and of the 3,000 on placebo 1.1% had a non-fatal myocardial infarction - that is a small 0.6% absolute difference which was expressed by the study authors as a relative risk of approx 33%. However a subsequent study showed that "real-world data of antiosteoporotic drug users do not support a significant association between use of strontium ranelate and acute coronary syndrome.” : ard.bmj.com/content/73/6/1037

Of course everyone should be advised by their own doctor !

[FleetRose in reply to salagoo]

Thank you for that information. I’m glad you have been able to tolerate strontium. My rheumi did say at my last visit that it was very effective but (at the time) unavailable. I’ll let you know what happens!

[salagoo in reply to FleetRose]

Hi FleetRose - I've just heard that unfortunately Strontium Ranelate won't be available until the end of August 2025 or maybe even later than that. I've just ordered more strontium citrate to tide me over till then ! bw's Anne

[Graceissufficient]

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