[The oral strontium load test in the assessment of intestinal calcium absorption]

A close correlation between calcium and strontium intestinal absorption has been described. In this study, a test using Stable Strontium has been assessed in women without abnormal calcium or bone metabolism, with no history of drugs which might affect calcium or bone metabolism. Decreasing values of Strontium intestinal absorption, according to the length of the postmenopausal period, have been observed. Besides, the Stable Strontium Test has been given in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic femur fractures. In comparison with age matched healthy women, this latter group showed a significantly lower Strontium intestinal absorption. Analogous behaviour has been reported for Calcium intestinal absorption.