Bones Absorbing Calcium

Does anyone know if there is a test to take to know how well or if our bones are absorbing the calcium we eat and calcium supplements we take? Does testing calcium in the blood tell us how much calcium our bones are absorbing ?

[Met00]

Unfortunately a blood test only tells us whether everything is working as it should be to keep our blood calcium within in very narrow range. Apparently there's urine test that can be used to show how much calcium is being lost, which I think can give an indication of how well it's absorbed. If your intake is sufficient and we're absorbing well, then calcium should end up in our bones once our blood has enough. Taking Vitamin K2-MK7 or K2-MK4 helps send calcium to our bones, rather than it being excreted via the kidneys/urine or deposited in the arteries.

[Hidden in reply to Met00]

Thank you . That must be what I heard.

[Larochka]

there an ingesting interview by Dr Mercola, regarding OXALATES in superfoods depleting calcium from the bones, calcifying connective tissue instead, strongly recommended, share is possible bitchute.com/video/RGrVE03B...

[Cam11]

a blood test to check your vitamin D level will show if you’re absorbing the calcium properly. My calcium level was normal but my vitamin D was very low so that showed I have malabsorption according to my rheumatologist.

[Hidden in reply to Cam11]

My blood calcium is in normal levels but on the higher side of normal. I had extremely low D. My D is now in the normal range when last checked but still on the low side of normal. I go back to my doctor in early February. I also have IBS - D and a rare Lymphocytic Colitis. I was reading where this can cause malabsorption. I’ve had these chronically since my 40’s. I have them both mostly under control since July 2021. I want to ask my doctor to check some how if I’m absorbing enough calcium. I keep track of the calcium I eat and drink daily along with the supplements of calcium and can fall short some days. I’m in the US , our daily requirement is 1,200 mg for women over 50 yo. I have only broken a bone in my wrist 10.5 years ago (55) until two days after this past Christmas where I broke two bones just above the wrist on my other arm. I’m considering taking Teriparatide which has just been approved for taking long term use in certain people. I qualify with two of the conditions. If your dexa scan scores go up in the normal range you can take a break until or if your scores fall back to OP. May I ask what your doctor has you doing or taking for your malabsorption ?

[Cam11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing your info. My rheumatologist referred me to a gastro for a colonoscopy which I scheduled in February since I’m going out of town this month. He also put me on 6,000 IU of vitamin D

[Hidden in reply to Cam11]

I’m now on 4,000 IU of D. The gastrologist diagnosed my colitis by biopsy. Another doctor from yrs ago diagnosed my IBS without any test or sending me to a gastrologist. I’m now believing he was wrong . I’m going to question my doctor in Feb appointment to see if he’ll do testing on how I’m absorbing nutrients. Wishing you the best .

[FearFracture in reply to Hidden]

Have you been tested for Celiac disease? If you are having trouble absorbing vitamin D taken orally, you might want to consider using a vitamin D nasal spray.

[Cam11]

I’m not sure how else they check. I know my dr was concerned about my “gut” and I was 5 years past due for a colonoscopy and I have a sibling that had colon cancer so he wants that checked first. He wants me to take the Prolia but I really am trying to avoid it.

I wish you the best in your treatment.

[ORdogmom in reply to Cam11]

is there a reason he is pushing Prolia right off the bat? From what I have been finding out, Prolia rebuilds bone that is more brittle than normal bone, and you MUST go immediately on a bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis drug when you stop taking it to prevent rebound fractures.

[Cam11 in reply to ORdogmom]

I think he’s concerned because my T scores show I’m at high risk for another fracture. A lot of doctors go for the meds but I want to know why my body isn’t absorbing the calcium before I start taking such a serious medication. I’m also very concerned about the side effects that can create dental havoc including necrosis in your jaw bone.

[ORdogmom in reply to Cam11]

the reason I am asking is not why meds, but why Prolia. I am new to this osteoporosis thing. My first Dr. barely knew anything. Told me “osteoporosis is really easy these days. There are all these meds and you only have to take them 2-5 years, then you go off them, and never need to worry about it again”. She then explained Fossamax, Prolia, and asked, which do you want to take? I came on here and found out that Prolia is not the place to start with, since it does not preclude taking biphosphonates (I was afraid of what they might do to my stomach) since you need to use them to wean off of the Prolia

My second Dr actually suggested seeing a Rheumatologist, because they were better trained on all the different drugs available.

The Rheumatologist did know more, but seemed surprised when I asked for Bone Turnover Marker test. According to him, a lot of physicians start there as part of their osteoporosis work ups, but he doesn’t, but if I would like to actually have data to observe, he would order it. He only ordered C telopeptide, not Osteocalcin or any of the others. That said, the C telopeptide was at the upper range of “normal”.

I took my first Aldentronate (Fossamax) on Monday. I am single, no kids, and I need to be able to be as active as possible for as long as possible because there is no one to care for me if it all goes south. I had no problem with the reflux issue (I drank about 24 oz of water, peed all morning) My body is sensitive, I know when something feels off, and so far, my body is not telling me it hates the aldentronate. That may change.

I am just telling you this to explain why I chose not to start with Prolia, even though I am not completely adverse to meds. From what others here have said, and I have read everything on these boards, twice, Prolia itself is not the place to start. Just keep in mind that physicians know what drug reps tell them. My ex was a DO, and I know how even in medical school, the drug reps are already grooming them. So, I am just suggesting that the ones pushing Prolia over other drugs, may be doing so because of the kickback they got from that specific salesman.

It could also be that my concerns about Prolia itself, are unfounded.

[Hidden in reply to ORdogmom]

I’m in the US and this is a link from the makers of Prolia .

prolia.com/how-prolia-works...

[Cam11 in reply to ORdogmom]

My doctor chose Prolia because it would be easier on my stomach and kidneys. I feel like all of the medications have side effects so it’s scary choosing which have the lesser ones. I don’t think there is a right answer for everyone. I’m waiting for the results of my colonoscopy before I decide about any meds. If the reason my body isn’t absorbing calcium isn’t addressed first, I would be taking any meds for nothing.

Thanks for sharing about your Bone Turnover Marker Test. My doctor never mentioned the test but I’m going to look into it and see if I should request.

[ORdogmom in reply to Cam11]

that makes sense. Good luck. It is such a troubling process to go through, so many decisions, who can one trust? It sounds like your physician knows a lot more than my first one did.

[Cam11 in reply to ORdogmom]

like you… I don’t know if I can trust him. He had his office schedule an appt to start the Prolia. I had researched it and questioned him about my blood work before he started thinking it could be malabsorption.

[FearFracture in reply to ORdogmom]

Prolia doesn’t rebuild bone. It’s an anti-resorption. drugs.com/tips/prolia-patie... “Prolia (denosumab) works by binding to a protein called RANKL on osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone), inhibiting their formation, function, and survival. This decreases bone breakdown and increases bone density and strength both in the outer layer of bone and the inner spongy layer.”

[Tlflom]

The endocrinologist is having me do a 24hr urine test to see if I am eliminating too much calcium. I should know more in a few weeks.

[Cam11]

Seems like such an easy test so I wonder why it isn’t always checked.