How can my Dad get his Calcium level up?

[savingdaddy]

Low Calcium 8.2 —1 month ago. Besides 2 -600mg of Calcium a day and 2 glasses of milk a day, how can my Dad get his numbers up? The last 2 visits have been 8.2. His only Xgeva shot was in January 2019. He is on Xtandi and Lupron. Thank you! Kimberly

[Tall_Allen]

How is his Vitamin D level?

[savingdaddy in reply to Tall_Allen]

vitamin D is good

[Tall_Allen in reply to savingdaddy]

Maybe get his parathyroid hormone level checked. Is he taking any drugs that might lower it (like diuretics, or proton pump inhibitors)? The Xgeva can pull calcium out of the blood.I think the most bioavailable form of calcium is the tiny fish bones you ingest with sardines, anchovies, canned salmon, etc.

[savingdaddy in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks!

[Magnus1964]

I take 2 caltrate 600mg every day along with my xgeva shot once per month for bones.

[savingdaddy in reply to Magnus1964]

Do you take the chewable or capsules?

[Magnus1964 in reply to savingdaddy]

I take 2 Citracal 1200 slow release. This also contains vitamin D3.

[NPfisherman]

Here is some info on hypocalcemia from a trusted source--the Merck Manual:

merckmanuals.com/home/hormo...

You may wish to check his magnesium level as well since it can influence the parathyroid.

Since he is getting Xgeva for bone density, Vitamin K2 is essential for that also.....you can get enough Vitamin K from a cup of broccoli daily, I believe....other essentials for bone health/growth:

americanbonehealth.org/nutr...

Fish

[savingdaddy in reply to NPfisherman]

Thank you!

[j-o-h-n in reply to savingdaddy]

NP = No Problem, Fish, Fish and more Fish.

I hope you have a Mexcellent Cinco de Mayo!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/05/2019 12:23 PM DST

[NPfisherman in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks....Just don't be yelling, "Fresh fish, get you're fish here..." like in Shawshank Redemption when new inmates arrived....<scary>...not that kind of fish...

Hope your Cinco de Mayo is filled with fun...

Fish

[savingdaddy in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thank you Fish and John!Kimberly

[NPfisherman in reply to j-o-h-n]

No dancing on the tables on Cinco de Mayo...most common day for head injuries.....falling off table from slipping in the salsa....or drinking too much sauce-ah..

Fish

[j-o-h-n in reply to NPfisherman]

LOL slipping on the salsa....

I hope you have a Mexcellent Cinco de Mayo!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/05/2019 6:35 PM DST

[j-o-h-n in reply to NPfisherman]

NP = No Problem, Fish, Fish and more Fish.

I hope you have a Mexcellent Cinco de Mayo!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/05/2019 12:23 PM DST

[Collarpurple]

All I can say is how lucky your mom&dad are

To have you. You remind me how I was with my parents I would’ve climbed any mountain for them. ❤️

[savingdaddy in reply to Collarpurple]

Thank you..I love them so much!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Collarpurple]

Me? I would have called Uber....

I hope you have a Mexcellent Cinco de Mayo!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 05/05/2019 12:26 PM DST

[Fairwind]

I take three 600's a day and my calcium is okay..Be careful with the Xgeva as it can cause problems in your teeth and jaw..Take the calcium at night after a meal..

[savingdaddy in reply to Fairwind]

Thank you

[timotur]

I take this Inositol IP6 powder, which is a form of Niacin, for lowering my LDL. This brand from Cell Forte has about 50% of daily Calcium and Potassium requirements.

amazon.com/Enzymatic-Therap...

[savingdaddy in reply to timotur]

Thank you!

[Egerdes]

“Bone food powder” from Invite Health @Amazon.

Great combination of vitamins for bones.

One scoop a day is all you need in his favorite drink.

Vit D3, Vit K2, magnesium, calcium, and more ,

Invite Health is one of the best rated vitamin company I know. Been using vitamins from them for years.

Also try to keep his body alkaline. Too much acidity will make it difficult to absorb calcium into his bones.

I do that by increasing my organic greens everyday. I’m not a Milk lover for adults.

invitehealth.com

[savingdaddy in reply to Egerdes]

My dad just started using Vital Protein’s Collagen Peptides 2 scoops a day. Is it similar to your powder?

Thanks for commenting!

[JimVanHorn]

You need to ask his doctor. Do not self diagnose while he is on Xgeva.

[monte1111 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Best one liner on this post. Agreed.

[Thinus]

Agree with everything the other wise men said. Just one thing: careful with that abundance of milk. High in choline, low pH. Rather use the supplements the other people suggest. Here in SA we get a combo of Calcium, boron and magnesium from Dischem. And as Allen asked you: what is the Vit D level. The two go together for absorption.

[savingdaddy in reply to Thinus]

Thank you! I will find out his vitamin D levels tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day, my dad gets CT scans, bones scan and labs as well as follow up with MO.

[Joes-dad]

Kimberly, the scans will go quick and easy. The hardest part is waiting for the results. If you haven't already, see if your Dr and hospital have a "patient portal". It's a direct link to you test results, sending messages to your Doctors, etc. I always review my results before seeing my Dr after the tests. It helps to be able to come up with questions before your follow up appointments.

Let us know how everything turns out. Everyone is here to help anyway we can.

Bob

[savingdaddy in reply to Joes-dad]

Thank you! We are on the patient portal...it’s so helpful. I will keep you all informed. Again, thanks. Kimberly