Difference between calcium citrate and calcium carbonate

[Amkoffee]

I just read an article that someone who takes antacids should be taking calcium citrate. I have big stomach issues so I take a lot of different things for my stomach and I had never heard this. My latest dexa scan indicated more damage to my bones in the last two years. I already suffer from severe osteoporosis because of the prednisone. Has anyone heard anything about this before?

[SheffieldJane]

Yes it was discussed a number of years ago and I remember it looking potentially advantageous, I experienced negative symptoms from Adcal ( carbonate I believe). My GP at the time kind of squashed the idea and I didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to come back at him in those days. I ended up taking no Calcium supplements but having a Calcium rich diet vit D and Vit K2 for absorption. I cannot remember the key selling points of Calcium Citrate unfortunately. I too have stomach trouble since PMR treatment.

[jaycee444]

I take Calcium Citrate rather than carbonate because I am also on medication for another problem which is slow release and needs an alkaline environment found further down in the gut to release the drug at the correct point. If I was taking Calcium Carbonate the drug would be released in my stomach so not able to do its job.

Care should be taken if using coated Prednisolone because this too is released further down in the gut so Calcium Carbonate would affect this in the same way.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jaycee444]

And part of the reason why calcium should be taken well away from pred!

[Rache]

I had problems with AdcalD3 (Calcium Carbonate) which is usually what’s prescribed. It caused constipation. After years of struggling to take it or mostly not taking it at all, I learnt from this forum that Calcium Citrate is meant to be more easily absorbed, especially if you have lowered stomach acid due to PPI. I take it with vit D and vit K2, all of which I have to buy myself. Unfortunately with Calcium Citrate, you need to take more tablets to get the same dose but I’ve got used to this. Hope this helps.

[TheMoaningViolet]

I take Calcium Citrate at lunch and Adcal (Calcium Carbonate) at dinner time. This completely eliminated symptoms of cystitis which I had persistently when I took Adcal twice per day. I take Omeprazole at the moment so this was the reason for trying Calcium Citrate instead.

[maria40]

I have been taking a seaweed derived calcium since developing kidney stones last year. I also take Vit D and K2. I haven't had any recurrence of kidney stones .

But I do worry about conflict between K2 and slow release aspirin which I take as part of treatment/prevention for arrhythmia. I take the aspirin in the morning and the K2 and Vit D at lunchtime with calcium split between lunch and supper.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

Aspirin makes the platelets in blood "slippier" which helps stops clots forming. Vit K would be related to warfarin-type anticoagulation therapy.

[Amkoffee in reply to PMRpro]

I can't speak for Marie40 but in my case I've had 3 blood clots so I won't take the chance by taking vit K. I take aspirin and Plavix just to keep things flowing.

[Amkoffee in reply to maria40]

I don't know why I'm lucky but I have what they call silence stones. There are stones in my kidney but I pass them with no pain. I guess they're just small enough.

[Teatrees in reply to maria40]

Dear Maria,

As I have painful osteoporosis in my neck, which causes me to wake at night. I am interested in a different Calcium and having my gallbladder removed through gall stones and now pain on and off in kidney area, I like the sound of seaweed derived calcium. Can I please ask is this from any health food shop?

Stay safe D-Teatrees

[maria40 in reply to Teatrees]

I get mine from a company called Higher Nature which is quite near to me in Sussex. They are available online. I think there are other manufacturers too.

[Teatrees in reply to maria40]

Thanks Maria, I live in Sussex too, it may be Heathfield Health Food Shop or I used to live in other parts. Do drop me a line as it would be nice to have a penfriend. I have RA and in last two years Osteo in my neck.

Many Thanks Teetrees/D

[maria40 in reply to Teatrees]

I tried to send you a PM but for some reason it wouldn't let me put your name in the receipient section. Try sending one to me and if you're successful I can reply to that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

If you send a pm from the person's profile page and the message box the name comes up automatically - it probably doesn't allow it to be added again. Click on the name or the avatar and then select Message

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

This is what I did but when I pressed send it told me I had to add at least one recipient. The name was still below the box, pressed again, same result. Tried typing name in manually - ditto!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

How strange - I just sent you a message to try it, worked for me. Hum ...

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Just had another shot and it worked so don't know what was going on earlier but thanks for testing it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

I reported it - they may have found a gremlin ...

[Teatrees in reply to maria40]

Hi all ok sent message to you again

[Teatrees in reply to maria40]

Hope you saw the message by now, thank-you for advice about tablets.