Calcium

There is something that is really bothering me about calcium and I need your input on it. I have read many conflicting reports on calcium supplementation and I am not sure which one it is that I need to be taking. I have a big bottle of calcium carbonate that I purchased yesterday at Sam's cuz it was cheap but now I hear that I shouldn't be taking it because it won't absorb at all. My surgeon had me on a carbonate at first so I've been using it since. But now I read that it's not good! I don't want to do anything to hurt my body and I need my bones of course...... So what are you all taking and in what amounts? (((HUGS))) Chelle

You know, Chelle, your question is a good one. I'm often confused by what I read on the message board, what with the conflicting info. My surgeon says that Viactiv is just fine and that's calcium carbonate. Go figure. I'm going to chew on those things until my blood work shows otherwise. They're pretty darn good. And I found SF ones at my grocery store. How about the rest of you? Mary

Hi Mary, Just wanted to let you know that your bloodwork will not show a deficiency in calcium. Your body will rob calcium from your bones and you won't see any serum changes. You will however see changes in bone density if you have a bone scan done. Cheryl, RN

Calcium Citrate is what the surgeons want us on as soon as possible aftre surgery. In the beginning they want us taking chewable type stuff, but I know that at my 3 month appointment my sugeon said he wanted me to change over to Calcium Citrate as soon as my current container of Viactiv was gone. Says we absorb the Calcium Citrate better. I have it now, but I have a hard time remembering to take it, as they say not to take your calcium with you other vitamins because the iron blocks what the calcium is doing. Hope this helps, Hugs, Susan

I take Elemental Calcium, which is a combination of Citrate and Carbonate. It is available as chewables. I have been told that it is a highly absorbable formula. Karen G

Calcium citrate is absorbed better than the carbonate version. The body can only absorb 600mg at a time so take your 2 pills a day in divided doses. -Angie, RN, MSN 302-182-150?

I have read that citrate is what's best. I started taking another pill called Skin, Hair and Nail Formula and my surgeon looked at it and said it's fine to take. Donna 338/165

Hello Chelle, My doctor has never said anything about calcium having to be citrate. He did say that I could never swallow pills. I have always chewed Viactiv chews. I chew three of them a day. I've been looking for some calcium citrate that are chewable. I'm with you I need my bones too. Diana 379/194/?

Many thanks. These replies have helped me so much. Right after surgery, I purchased a liquid form of Calcium Citrate at my local natural food store. Because I had to keep it in the fridge, I kept forgetting to take it twice a day. When I got the go-ahead on the Viactiv, I had no trouble remembering. Yes, I do know about splitting the calcium. Wonder if I should have a bone scan a year out (Dec. 16th)? Hmmmm? Mary

Wow! Thanks to all you ladies... I have decided that since the overwhelming majority of replies I've gotten from this board as well as the others that I am going back to Citrate... Now I just gotta find someone who wants these other ones... THank you all sooooo much for your replies! You're all a great bunch of losers (I mean that in the nicest way tho ).......... Love ya my December family!! Chelle