GCA/Carotid Artery Calcification

[Gangley]

Hello you wise people. Have any of you heard of GCA causing carotid bulb/arteries calcification.

[PMRpro]

There is a dedicated PMRGCA forum on HU with many GCA patients:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk

I haven't heard of GCA itself causing calcification specifically although GCA can cause stenosis of the carotid arteries. Has the calcification been identifed with imaging?

However, if GCA patients are on pred and calcium/vit D supplements, there is always a risk that excess calcium could be deposited in the artery walls. One recommended action is to take vit K2 which is said to direct calcium to the bones rather than the artery walls.

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Yes I had an ultra sound for the thyroid where it was mentioned and this a.m. had a doppler test - results to come. I'm no longer on pred but do take calcium/vitD supplements (have for 15 years). Will have to ask my Doc about vit K2 - thanks.

[DorsetLady in reply to Gangley]

Doctor won’t prescribe Vit K2 - you have to buy it… and they may not even know much about it, best to speak to pharmacist who will probably have more idea.

[Gangley in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you.

[DorsetLady in reply to Gangley]

As PMRpro has said the PMRGCAuk forum has lots of info -including supplements.

If you’re no longer on Pred does that mean your GCA is in remission…

[Gangley in reply to DorsetLady]

I don't know. My last Pred was Sept. 16 and I am on Actemra. My free prescription ends Jan 31st, so I will pick up the last 4 injections Monday which will do till first week in March (I have one left over). Yesterday I had a PET Scan to see how much damage is/was done - I see my Rheumy in February. Maybe along with the good things Spring brings I will be in remission...

[DorsetLady in reply to Gangley]

Fingers crossed for you…

[Gangley in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you.

[DorsetLady in reply to Gangley]

When I replied about Vit K2 hadn’t checked where you lived -but guess still not on prescription in Canada …

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

I'm new to this - just learning how things - thought I had posted on PMRGCA forum. Since your post I have received the results of a Carotid US and they say I have 65% stenosis within the proximal ICA - whatever that means. Last July there was mild calcification, now this. I'm anxious to see what my Doc. will say as the reporter says this is considered normal. Your thoughts please.

Also I have researched Vit K2 and my diet is full of it.

[PMRpro in reply to Gangley]

The ICA is the internal carotid artery - you have two carotid arteries, one on either side of your neck and each divides into two, the internal and external carotid arteries

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

The proximal bit just tells the doctor the position of the narrowing. 65% is moderate, the blood flow is still adequate and they will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse and will encourage lifestyle changes and possibly medication to prevent worsening.

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

Calcification increases with age anyway so to be expected as we get older. It is what used to be called hardening of the arteries. The stenosis, on the other hand, is probably due to atherosclerosis and the two are independent of each other.

Do you eat a lot of Asian fermented foods then? Vit K2 isn't usually too common in the western diet - it isn't the same as vit K1.

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

No Asian fermented foods - just looked at my list & it's K1 that's plentiful in my diet.

[PMRpro in reply to Gangley]

That's what I suspected - K2 is different and does a different job, Might be worth thinking about - it is said to reduce deposits of calcium in arteries so might stop that worsening.

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. How much do I need to take?

[PMRpro in reply to Gangley]

HeronNS on the PMRGCAuk forum has been our fount of knowledge on vit K2. It is difficult to find recommended dosages but in Australia they recommend something like 190 mcg a day and most supplements you see are 100 or 200 mcg tablets so that must be about right. If you eat natto, kimchi and the like you would need less but how many of us do!

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Will also try liver.

[PMRpro in reply to Gangley]

Good luck with that!!!!! That is NOT my favourite ...

[Gangley in reply to PMRpro]

Actually I like it - it would be better than another pill also I've read eggs provide 60-132 of K2 so I'm feeling a little more positive about this stenosis thing.

[PMRpro in reply to Gangley]

Good. I like liver as faggots, the Welsh sort. But not liver any other way and not the faggots they make in the north of England - with gravy!!

[Nadine99]

My husband has claudication of the arteries in his legs, if that may be connected?

[Gangley in reply to Nadine99]

Thank you - I'll look into that.