Calcium pills bad for you?

[Greytree]

Was searching to learn if I could crush calcium pills to take in water and came across this - which put me on alert! It’s not without at least some research. (?) aarp.org/health/drugs-suppl...

[jinasc]

If you are worried, just ask your GP for a full spectrum blood test. This test all the minerals etc. Trouble is that 'full spectrum' cost more than 'normal ones'.

When I had GCA, normal ones once a month, full spectrum quarterly. Both my GP and Rheumy insisted.

Yes I had too much calcium on 'Add-Ons' so calcium dropped and stayed with Vit D> It did not show for about a year and I got pseudo gout. Calcium dropped immediately. The full spectrum quarterly found the problem.

[Greytree in reply to jinasc]

Thanks for the response. Was the Pseudo gout from too much calcium even though it appears you decreased your calcium?

[jinasc in reply to Greytree]

Yes it was caused by the excess calcium - so Calichew was stopped. 4 years later the calcium grit that was in the gall bladder joined forces - result stones and an op.

[Greytree in reply to jinasc]

Dang! I’m so sorry. Thanks for the cautionary tale.

[jinasc in reply to Greytree]

That's OK. It can be difficult because whilst we have much in common we are all different in so many other ways.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The research refers to healthy women on no medication who only take calcium with no vit D supplementation. The problem wasn't identified in women who took a good dose of vit D. And we aren't healthy and are on a medication that makes us lose calcium through the kidneys.

It is possible that the calcium may cause other problems - a lot of us have bladder problems or even gallstones or crystals form in joints. I don't take calcium supplements any more - but do eat cheese as if it going out of fashion - which no doubt has its own downsides!

[Greytree in reply to PMRpro]

Great! Thanks. I’m trying to shift to food calcium.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greytree]

Wonderful excuse to eat a chunk of good Parmesan I find Very high in calcium

[Nextoneplease in reply to PMRpro]

Yum 😊Just about to add some to my spaghetti Bolognese (tonight’s treat) but as you say, I could eat it by itself!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nextoneplease]

Oh no - nothing to match a naked chunk of Parmesan - love it! Very good with an apple