Answer to Question #3413 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I had an hair analysis to detect any metal toxicities in my body and the results in February 2003 showed high levels of strontium-90. I have been receiving IV chelation twice a week with EDTA supposedly to rid of the strontium and also for calcium deposits in my heart. I just had another hair analysis and the strontium-90 is still the same. I do not know how I am getting the strontium in my body. I have lived in Tampa, Florida, for 26 years and I drink bottled spring water. I have severe osteoporosis even though I have been a lifelong exerciser, weight training, etc. and took calcium and Fosamax. A year ago I stopped taking Fosamax and started a intense program of weight training and walking 15 miles a week on a treadmill. I have had two total hip replacements because of osteoarthritis and am at a complete loss as to why I am having all these problems. I had a compression fracture of my spine two years ago. My most recent bone-density test improved greatly, moving me from severe osteoporosis to osteopena. I am very worried about the chelation and strontium. I am an otherwise very healthy 61 year old.

A

Strontium is a naturally occurring element that is found in the body in trace amounts. Normally excretion of strontium from the body is in equilibrium with intake, which comes largely from foodstuffs. Thus it is not surprising that your hair analysis, assuming it is accurately measuring the amount of strontium, shows the presence of strontium. However, while hair analysis can detect the presence of strontium, it is usually carried out by an analytical procedure known as atomic absorption, which cannot quantify or measure the amount of strontium-90, a radioactive isotope of the element strontium. Since levels of strontium-90 are so low, highly sensitive and specialized laboratory analyses are necessary to measure this radionuclide, and these involve chemical separation and examination of the radioactivity from the strontium-90 itself by special instruments. In any case, the amount of strontium in your body from dietary sources is small and would have no effect on your osteoporosis.

Your query is a little puzzling in that you report you are taking a chelating agent ostensibly to reduce calcium deposits in your heart, while at the same time you are apparently taking calcium, ostensibly for osteoporosis. While there are indeed proponents of EDTA chelation therapy for heart disease, this is not a standard or "mainstream" treatment modality and indeed has not undergone the rigorous scientific testing to prove its efficacy. In 1998, The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), one of the leading proponents of chelation therapy, agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it made unsubstantiated and false advertising claims regarding EDTA chelation therapy. You can obtain more information from the FTC regarding the complaint and settlement by telephoning the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 202-326-3284 or 202-326-3088 and asking about FTC File No.: 962 3147.

And, you may wish to visit the Quackwatch Home site which provides an in-depth discussion of chelation therapy.

 

Ron Kathren, CHP