Amount of Calcium
Calcium is usually only found in a maximum dose of 600 mg, because that's the most that people can absorb in a single dose. To get 1200, you'd need 2 doses of 600, 2 hours apart.
I've never seen a 1200 calcium tablet. It must be enormous.
The kind of calcium also matters. No one, even non WLSers, absorb the most commonly sold calciums, calcium carbonate or tricalcium phosphate. You should be taking calcium citrate.
The calcium blood test doesn't tell you much. PTH is a better test. A high result means you are leeching calcium from your bones. Low in the range is better. Best of all is a DEXA scan, every other year. It will tell you exactly what your bone density is.
The ASMBS guideline is 1500 units taken in doses of 500, three times per day.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
That sounds interesting but have you had any issues with other extended release medications? If your labs are showing a decrease then you might not be getting as much as you think. In either case I would add another dose in the 500-600 range. That would put you around 1800 and a little above the 1500 ASMBS recommended level which I consider a base level. Mostly I use Citrical Max which puts me at 1800 a day via 3 doses but if I'm using store brand calcium then I'm at 1500.
While I understand that the calcium number by itself doesn't tell you as much as a PTH I have never had a lot of success getting my Docs to that point of view so I go by the calcium level too.
You might also look at the vitamins that tend to strengthen the bone building process. Magnesium, D, and K2 if you are concerned about maximizing your bone health.
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
These are still just 600 mg pills, because it takes 2 pills per 1200 mg. They are also calcium carbonate, which is poorly absorbed by even non-WLSers.
I think you are playing with fire by taking these. Switch to calcium vitrate, and take 3 500-600 mg doses, 3 times a day, 2 hours apart.
Shortcuts and miracle supplements are not worth screwing around with.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
There's a lot of deception in the supplement industry. There's a popular bariatric vitamin that promises everything we need in one tablet. But it only has about 25% of the RDA. And they are really expensive.
There are a lot of crooks and liars out there.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
I could not agree more with the recommendation to get a dexy I am nearing 6 years out from my DS, With calcium and PTH results in the normal range keeping my D3 my magnesium and calcium intake where it should be. However after a broken wrist bone both bones with a very soft fall in sand, I had a dexy that showed a negative 3 which is horrible. My bones are in very bad shape at age 53 with all my labs looking normal so I highly recommended dexi. I thankfully I found fortero which hopefully will build some bone back so my recommendation is to get a dexi to find out a baseline best wishes.
Blessings
Julie
