I just got my latest total calcium results. I stopped taking
strontium citrate for 17 days prior to my blood collection date of 11/13/2014.
My result was 9.8 mg/dL, with a reference range of 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL.
I began stopping the strontium for several days prior to blood draws as of 07/24/2012. I also switched laboratories on that date. My calcium results have all been normal. The 10.3 result of 07/24/2012 was high normal, according to the reference range for the new laboratory.
Collection Date Stopped
Strontium? Total
Calcium Ref. Range
11/13/2014 Yes, 17 days before test 9.8 8.5-10.5
11/12/2013
Yes, 12 days before
test 9.5
8.5-10.5
07/24/2012
Yes, 11 days before test
10.3 8.5-10.5
Prior to 07/24/2012, I was either not stopping my strontium
or stopping just a day before blood collection. I had one high calcium result
on 12/28/2009 (10.3 with reference range of 8.6-10.2 mg/dL). You will note all
these earlier calcium tests were done at a different laboratory, with a
different reference range.
Collection Date Stopped
Strontium? Total
Calcium Ref. Range
12/09/2010 Yes, night before test 9.8 8.6-10.2
12/09/2010 Yes, night before test 9.8 8.6-10.2
12/28/2009
No 10.3
H 8.6-10.2
03/19/2009
No 9.7
8.6-10.2
01/06/2009
No
10.1 8.6-10.2
The reason for stopping strontium for at least 12 days prior
to blood or urine collection for calcium:
I have read that strontium reaches peak blood levels in 12
days of strontium intake. Servier, the manufacturer of strontium ranelate, has
stated that sr. ranelate interferes with colorimetric tests for calcium.
Automated total serum calcium tests are colorimetric. Urine calcium tests are
usually colorimetric. If you stop taking strontium for 12 days or more, your
blood level should be significantly lower than peak level. Therefore, it may be
a good idea to stop taking strontium 12-14 days prior to having blood drawn for
a total serum calcium and prior to collecting urine for a urine calcium test.
Urine calcium values may vary considerably and are only meaningful if the
patient is kept on a low-calcium, neutral-ash diet for three days before
collection.
I’m not sure if stopping strontium citrate prior to specimen
collection for calcium tests has made a difference for me or not, but I want to
avoid another high calcium result. I have had one, and it was most likely falsely
elevated by strontium.
2 comments:
I just posted this question on the Inspire forum before discovering that you've already addressed it here.
I also had a high calcium results on the urine collection. I had it done a second time but this time stopped both calcium & strontium 10 days before the collection & my results were back to normal.
I will be reluctantly starting Evenity injections next week while continuing strontium citrate. The dr will be requesting calcium blood labs every 3 mo. So based on what I've just now read from your blog, it would be wise to stop both calcium supplements & strontium a couple of weeks before the draw.
In the past I've never stopped any of my supplements before a blood draw--it never occurred to me because the supplements are keeping me in the normal range (Vit D, etc). However, it seems to me that the dr may be testing the calcium impact from the Evenity drug. I plan to ask the dr, but thinking that I should do the same w/strontium as she recommends w/any calcium supplement.
I think I'm just processing this w/you--thanks for listening!
To: Anonymous of 23 July 2025
Evenity (romosozumab) can cause low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia). That is why your doctor will be requesting calcium blood levels every three months. Symptoms of hypocalcemia include muscle spasms, numbness, or tingling. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is crucial while taking Evenity. Do not stop taking calcium while on Evenity! Stopping strontium for two weeks prior to the tests would be fine. Drink lots of water before your laboratory tests. Follow any other instructions your doctor gives you. Good luck!
I remember you from Inspire. I suggested that you stop taking calcium and strontium about two weeks before your next urine calcium test because you had had a high urine calcium result. I am so glad my suggestion worked for you! I gave you a link to a research paper that showed that calcium supplements were of little significance on serum calcium levels but had a significant effect on urinary calcium levels of post-menopausal women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25923483/
Best wishes,
BoneLady
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