Markers of bone metabolism are useful in the assessment of bone turnover in metabolic bone disease, particularly osteoporosis and Paget’s disease, where they have an active role in the monitoring of response to therapy. Clinical Biochemistry is an associate member of the Supra-Regional Assay Service (SAS) for bone metabolism and is also involved in various research and development projects. The Bone Metabolism service supports the Osteoporosis Clinic and Bone Metabolism Group and is closely linked to The Muscular Skeletal Research Group at Imperial.
Information and interpretation of completed analyses and advice about biochemical markers of metabolic bone disease is available during working hours from Dr Alan Courtney, Principal Clinical Scientist.
The laboratory routinely measures three bone markers: urinary N-telopeptide (NTx), serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and serum procollagen type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP). Other bone markers are available for research and development projects on request (including plasma CTx, osteocalcin and sclerostin: please discuss with Dr. Alan Courtney). Please provide as much clinical information as possible with requests (desirable clinical information includes: suspected condition, therapy (eg. baseline before starting alendronate Rx, post-pamidronate infusion, etc.), and routine relevant clinical biochemistry (renal and bone profiles).
The laboratory participates in the UK NEQAS quality assurance scheme for bone metabolism markers (IMMQAS, Sheffield).
Prices for bone marker analysis are available on request. Discounts are available for substantial workloads.
Contact Details
Dr Alan Courtney: email [email protected] or call 020 331 35901/15187.
Bone Metabolism test database
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