Calcium levels

[Ballywilliam]

Hi . Just wondering . My serum calcium level is above normal 2.5 - do I continue to take my calcium as normal . The GP office said yes fine to continue - but unsure 🤔

[jinasc]

I would not be continuing to take extra calcium, until that level comes down.

I ran into Pseudo Gout, caused by too much calcium and eventually 4 years down the line gall stones. After that my Calcium levels were tested every three months. I never had to take anymore calcium again and I had GCA for 5 years.

If its calichew you are taking, continue to take your Vit D.

I sometimes wish that the GPs would ask for a 'full spectrum test' for the 1st year of taking pred.

[Ballywilliam in reply to jinasc]

Oh wow . Thank you so much . It seemed counterintuitive to keep taking it - but then I was worried that as I wasn’t on alendronate ( I refused ) that somehow the high serum CA was an indication of calcium being leached from my bones ! 😅). So did you limit your Ca also from diet or just continue as normal ? Really Appreciate

[jinasc in reply to Ballywilliam]

No I stuck to my normal diet (which a dietician had checked when I was first diagnosed (I had a brilliant Rheumy). I did run into Vit D deficiency for all I continued with Vit D but 40,000 units per day for a month sorted that out and I still take Vit D everyday.

I see you refused AA, I would not take any bio-phosonate until you have had a Dexa Scan which will tell you where your bones are and if you need one, then look at the Royal National Osteo site and choose which one you want to take.

My GP and Rheumy did not even think of putting me on any Bisphosphonate until I had a Dexa Scan six months down the line (GCA and on 60mg) Bones 90% and a scan every two years and no change. The only add on (just in case) was the Calichew...........

[Ballywilliam in reply to jinasc]

Thanks again . 😊 this forum is so amazing . Yes my Dexta was great so I’m going to avoid the Biphosphonate . ! Great that you have great GP and Rheumy

[jinasc in reply to Ballywilliam]

Should have said GCA 5 Years, remission 9 years going on 10 at end of this year.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Do you mean your calcium level is 2.5mmol/L? The NHS site says that the normal calcium range is around 2.2 to 2.6 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) so according to that it is high normal which is fine. What does your list of results give as normal range for your laboratory?

[Sophiestree]

I had a high calcium level of over 3 and was told to drink 3 litres a day to get it down which I found tricky.

I personally wouldn't continue with your calcium supplement, but definitely Vit D.

As long as you are getting calcium from your diet you shouldn't need to add supplements.