Urine tests good measure for calcium loss?
Meet the Experts
Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, and associate professor at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.
Question from Lucy: Are urine tests a good measure for calcium loss?
- Answers —Charles Shapiro, M.D.: Urine tests are a good measure for bone turnover. They're very sensitive for bone turnover, but I don't think I mean calcium per se. I'm not aware of the test that measures calcium loss in the urine.
- Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Some physicians like to get the urine test, which is called the N-Telopeptide. This test looks at the balance of the bone turnover. If the DEXA scan that you get is not giving your doctor a good enough idea of whether the medication is working or not, your doctor may order a urine test to help figure it out. It is an easier and less expensive test to get than the DEXA scan. Some doctors may want to get both the DEXA scan and the urine test. The DEXA scan is usually done once a year. The urine test could be done at the 6-month interval just to get a sense of whether the bone turnover is in proper balance or not in response to the medication and lifestyle regimen that you are pursuing.
On Wednesday, August 21, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Keeping Your Bones Strong. Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about how to measure the strength of your bones, how to find out your risk for osteoporosis, and what you can do to lower that risk.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.