do I need a calcium supplement

[Radars]

just had blood test results, serum calcium level below range, and serum creatinine level below range, do I need a calcium supplement,

[Kaarina]

If you've just had your blood test results you will be advised if you need to take any calcium/ vitamin D supplement. I thought you were prescribed them in the past......

[Radars in reply to Kaarina]

I already take 1000iu d3 and k2 mk-7 200ug a day, but with severe osteoporosis it's hard to get 1,200mgs of calcium a day because other foods block calcium absorption. don't know what to do because it's dodgy with calcium supplements. because they can go into the arteries,

[Kaarina in reply to Radars]

Sometimes we have to weigh up the pros and cons. A medic will suggest the next action if there is one. It is up to you whether you heed their advice or not.

[Radars in reply to Kaarina]

I have a phone call from gp on Sunday so I will ask him, also I have just had a spinal x-ray on my spine but they only did my thoracic spine and not my lumbar spine due to mistakes by different gps, I have to go through a referral again.

[Kaarina in reply to Radars]

Unfortunately nowadays it is not at all unusual to not see one's own doctor but anyone who happens to be available. Consequently there is not that good continuation of care and as you say mistakes are being made which is a waste of time for the patients, clinicians and resources.

[Radars in reply to Kaarina]

which calcium supplement do you think is best, can't take adcal-d3 because of constipation.

[Kaarina in reply to Radars]

I cannot help you there unfortunately as I do not take a calcium supplement. A medic will be able to suggest an alternative to Adcal-D3 if you explain that this one causes constipation for you.

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

If you can not reach that through your diet, please take a calcium supplement, preferably one that contains calcium citrate rather than carbonate".

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Radars]

I’m sorry you are having ti start again with another referral for an X-ray - it must be really annoying for you radars!

Did you find anything useful from the thoracic spine X-ray?

[Radars in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

mild superior fracture with end-plate deformity l1

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Radars]

I thought you knew that already - but then they didn’t X-ray the area you wanted xrayed. Did no one with any expertise suggest any sort of treatment for you other than the reclast and vitamins etc. No gentle physio or that sort of thing?

[Radars in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

no,didn't know I had a thoracic mild fracture, got to wait now for x-ray of lumbar spine, I have got some body exercises to do from the royal osteoporosis society

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Radars]

Sorry I thought you knew you had an end-plate deformity l1. Hopefully it won’t be too long until you get your next X-ray, it’s too much being in pain while your doctors mess around and order the wrong X-ray or at least not the one you were hoping to have done. Good luck with it.

[Radars in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

yeah I knew I had end-plate deformity from dexa scan but I wanted to know regarding fracture

[uncountable3 in reply to Radars]

What are your vitamin D levels? I take 5000iu/day and I only get middling levels. Others do better but you can't know unless you measure.

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

Chocolate could block calcium absorption.

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

certain foods block calcium .just Google it there's a lot

[Seasid]

Do you drink milk or yoghurt? I personally would not take calcium supplements if I could get it trough eating normal food. You also save some money. I have now lot of milk in my fridge. Why would I buy supplements?

[agingfeminist in reply to Seasid]

the benefits from milk are rather unclear. This overview is really useful

bbc.com/future/article/2019...

cheese and yogurt seems to be a better way to go. always take the vit D3 supplement, some evidence that it better to take it with K2.

[Seasid in reply to agingfeminist]

I am too lazy. I just drink milk. I understand what you are saying. Thanks I usually buy milk on mark downs. That's why I have 4 liter milk now in my fridge. It is very convenient.

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

yeah, but I have had a zoledronic acid infusion and you are supposed to take a calcium supplement while on it.

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

I agree

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

What the prescribing info for Xgeva says is "Administer calcium and vitamin D as necessary to treat or prevent hypocalcemia.. . Monitor calcium levels, throughout Xgeva therapy,especially in the first weeks of initiating therapy, and administer calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D as necessary. ." One should monitor plasma levels of both and supplement if necessary.

pi.amgen.com/-/media/Projec...

Zometa says ,"Coadminister oral calcium supplements of 500 mg and a multiple vitamin containing 400 international units of Vitamin D daily."

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

Be careful about supplementing calcium if not indicated by low calcium levels, as it may make PCa worse and may have other deleterious cardiovascular and renal effects. Excessive Vitamin D intake has been shown to weaken bones.

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

Here is the link to the information:

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

I have just got my blood test results, serum calcium level below range, red blood cells below range, creatinine level below range.

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

Maybe you should consume more calcium in your diet. when I was a young student I always tried to drink 1 liter of milk per day. It was cheap. Talk to a nutritionist.

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

I received this information from the endocrinology about calcium intake:

"Aim for 1000mg per day.

If you can not reach that through your diet, please take a calcium supplement, preferably one that contains calcium citrate rather than carbonate".

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

Calcium intake

Calcium intake

[emersee in reply to Seasid]

Seasid - that diagram about calcium content is very helpful and concise. Many thanks.

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

yeah but there are other foods that block calcium

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist. Could you ask for an appointment so they can help you? Your calcium levels should be better.

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

I have got a gp phone call tomorrow

[MyStar86 in reply to Radars]

Good luck with your call tomorrow I hope you get everything sorted! Let us know how you get on, I’ll be thinking of you hoping it goes well 😊

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

What is your glomerular filtration rate?

[Radars in reply to Seasid]

what's that

[Seasid in reply to Radars]

Kidney function.

Calculated glomerular filtration rate from your blood creatinine levels. My is between 60 and 90.

[Seasid]

You should monitor your calcium levels. I think eating Ca reach food is ok, but of course you can take calcium supplements if you need it. Most important is that your blood calcium levels are checked and that you keep them in a normal range. You can take calcium supplements in order to achieve that.