Hi I am hoping to change my calcium supplement from adcal - D3 (prescribed by endo) to Algaecal. My osteoporosis is getting much worse and I have been taking Adcal for many years.
Due to emerging heart problems have been researching many health issues attributed to thyroid disease particularly hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes. One piece of interesting data I came across, concerning the heart, is calcium supplements, such as Adcal can lead to a build up of calcium in arteries whereby "hardening of the arteries" can occur.
Having taken Adcal since 1992 I want to reduce risk factors and change to Algaecal as an alternative. However my knowledge of Algaecal is in its early stages.
Hence does anyone on this site use Algaecal. If so would like some comments please.
Many thanks
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Firefl
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Have you had your calcium tested? You should get calcium from diet only unless you are at the very bottom of the range. When your take a good vitamin d with k2 and magnesium you will get plenty of calcium going to your bones and not arteries and soft tissues. I have osteoporosis and have never taken any calcium supplements and my calcium is at the top of the range. Adcal is worst calcium and a children's amount of vitamin d. Algaecal is a very expensive overrated supplement from the States. Personally I avoid anything with calcium in other than food and drink.
Do you have any recent blood test results you can add
Osteoporosis can be linked to being under medicated and having low FT3. Pretty common when on only Levothyroxine
We usually don't recommend any calcium supplements on here for that very reason
Do you supplement magnesium
How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels (And thyroid antibodies if never been tested)
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative and rarely tests FT3
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies
Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
We've all been brain-washed by the dairy industry into believing that the only thing necessary for strong bones is calcium. And, it's really, really not true. Too much calcium is as bad as too little, it makes bones brittle. You need good levels of all nutrients and hormones to have good bones, and one of the most important minerals is magnesium, which we're all short of.
Taking calcium supplements is bad for many reasons. It's difficult to absorb and builds up in the soft tissues and the blood.
I suspect you also have hypoparathyroidism as you are prescribed adcal by your endo. I’m sorry I don’t have any info algaecal but a friend who also suffers has found excellent information on the Facebook group for hypoparathyroidism.
Take a look at the bone health forum on HU. There’s a recent post about supplements which you may find helpful.
It’s important (as with hormone health) to have optimal cofactors. Magnesium, K2 & boron are necessary to balance calcium & make sure it’s directed to our bones rather than arteries.
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