Biotin and Calcium Question

Hello all, How much Biotin do you take?   What kind of Calcium supplements do you take?  My MD does not like Tums.  He recommends the Caltrate-D little cake-like squares but I hate them!!!! Thanks so much for the info.......

I posted a couple of weeks ago incorrectly how much Biotin I take, so I'll correct myself here!  I take one 5000 mcg capsule of Biotin daily and I use Citracal calcium chews because they are calcium citrate, which we absorb better postop gastric bypass (versus calcium carbonate, which is found in the Viactiv chews).  The Citracal chews come in lemon, caramel, and chocolate flavors and my favorite is the lemon.  I chew 2 of them daily -- I was taking 4 daily for some reason, but when I mentioned that on the boards here I was told I was taking too much.  I checked with my nutritionist, and sure enough, I was taking too much!  So I backed off and went back to only 2 chews daily. I am vitamin D deficient, but I take 50,000 units of vitamin D twice a month, so I don't worry about the calcium + D type vitamins.

How much Calcium should we be getting.  I was told by Doctor that OptiSource should have plenty Calcium in for the amount prescribed.  I don't know though makes me wonder if at my age I need more. 

I hate to disagree with someone's doctor, but I do on this one.  You should be taking Calcium Citrate in some form every day.  I know several long term post ops that are in otherwise excellent health, who's teeth are crumbling and have bone density loss because of lack of calcium and Vitamin D.  Their dentists told them it was from the malabsorption associated with RNY, DS, etc.  Lap-Banders don't need as much as we do because they didn't get their intestines re-routed. I take the Caltrate Chewables, usually 2 a day.  They're 600 mcg a piece and the bottle says to take one pill twice a day.  Since we have malabsorption issues, my friends were being told to double what the bottle said.  I don't always do that, but I do sometimes. Please understand that with this question, as well as any medical question, you are getting opinions only.  Do your research, talk to others, and see what the consensus is.  I am only telling you what I think.  Each person is different, each surgeon is different, and each nut is different in their recommendations.  That was my disclaimer.... Good luck. Ellen

My monthly newsletter from July 2007 has this information listed:

New Information from the Annual American Society of Bariatric Surgery: -Everyone, including males and non-menstruating women, need to be taking 18-36 mg of iron daily.  You can get this in your multivitamin (read and make sure it is in there) or as an extra supplement.  -Calcium should be in the form of citrate for better absorption, not carbonate.  Finish up any carbonate and then purchase Calcium Citrate with D 1000-1500 mg daily.  Take 1 after breakiast, 1 after supper, and if over 50 years old take 1 after lunch.   -Your multivitamin should include 800 mg folic acid, 3 mg thiamine, and B12 500 mcg. 

I take very similar amounts to what Dena posted.  5000 mcg of Biotin, 2 to 4 chewable Caltrates, daily.  I also take a VItamin D supplement.  I buy Solaray Biotin, they have one that's a lozenge so it dissolves on your tongue. Good luck. Ellen P.S.  That's not all I take, of course, just the vitamins you asked about in your question. 

I stopped the biotin at 6 months out but believe I was taking 2500mcg a day. As for calcium - my surgeon says either type is fine... I was using viactives and switched to Caltrate Chewables... each one is 600 and I take 2 a day.

Upcal D is really good, it dissolves in any liquid there is not taste to it, it is like the benefiber that u can mix with anything.  I find it to be rather inexpensive compared to BA Calicum, which I too****il 4 months ago, also there is no added sugar or carbs that you would get from the creamy bites citrcal.  the cost is $11.75 for 120 box they sell the canister as well if you buy 4 or more boxes the cost is reduced to $9.75 per box. -Maryama  http://www.colonialmedical.com/catalog/Upcal-D-120-packets-p -19796.html