Questions for Specialist

• By windblown
• Posted October 12, 2008 at 3:58 pm
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Hi Caff: Welcome... I don't know what tests you've had, but have they checked for secondary causes of osteo? If you have the normal risk factors, then you may not want to look into the secondary causes, but if there is some question why you might have this problem at your age etc you may want to consider some additional testing provided your insurance covers this.

Checking your thyroid, parathyroid and mineral metabolism is a good place to start. Most people have thyroid levels checked in a basic metabolic panel, but if you want some info on your parathyroid (the gland that regulates calcium) they could order a PTH blood test. Have you had your urinary/blood calcium levels checked? Also testing your vitamin D level is also important. If you need a list of secondary causes just put those words into your search engine and it should give you a bunch of lists. If you haven't had any tests for secondary causes, look at the list and see if any of these problems are things you might have i.e. arthritis, scoliosis etc.

Some of us have the test to check for Celiac since that is a secondary cause.

There are others here taking Strontium Citrate so hopefully they'll jump in the discussion. Is there some reason why you wouldn't want to take Strontium Ranelate? Just wondering since you are in the UK.

Well I don't know if any of this helped, but I hope so.

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• By brad328192
• Posted October 12, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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As Windblown wrote, if you want to find the cause, then more tests might be in order, like those he suggested as well as testosterone and cortisol levels if those haven't been covered in your tests already.

Other questions. Is your osteoporosis due to age-related bone loss or some other cause? What do your DEXA scores mean? How do the values in different parts of your body matter? What should you expect under the treatment you are opting for? What are the side effects? Though if you are going with strontium citrate, then you probably know the effects of that already. What other steps should you be taking? Supplemental Ca, vitamins, other minerals, or all those? What exercises are appropriate for you to undertake? What other lifestyle changes (smoking, alcohol use, etc.) should you make? When would you get retested to treatment progress?

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• By Caff55
• Posted October 13, 2008 at 7:36 am
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Hi Windblown,
Thanks for the suggestions.
As far as I know Stontium Ranelate hasn't been licensed here in the UK for men but maybe it's one issue I might raise with the specialist.
Also the NHS (National Health Service) although free would usually only prescribe the cheapest option.
Research on the net though would suggest that there is no difference in efficacy between Stontium Ranelate snd citrate. Only hope that's true!!

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• By Bill2
• Posted October 25, 2008 at 5:59 pm
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Hi,

I'm also a male about your age who was diagnosed with Osteoporosis last year. Extensive testing failed to identify a secondary cause. Seems that this disease has affected both men and women in my family. I began taking a Bisophosphonate a year ago. A recent follow-up DEXA did indicate a significant improvement in my bone density. I don't expect to continue to take Bisophosphonate indefinitely. More effective medication should become available in the not too distant future.

Despite my Osteoporosis, I exercise everyday and go on rigorous hiking trips on a regular basis.

Best of luck!

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• By Caff55
• Posted October 27, 2008 at 9:07 am
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Hi Bill2

Thanks for your reply. Glad to hear you are still getting on with life.
I'm still having tests done with regards to secondary causes. The people I've seen so far though don't fill me with confidence.

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