XP: Blood Serum Calcium levels don't mean a thing!
New day, new discussion.
Everyone should know that the blood serum calcium level test is pretty much useless in 90% of the population, including WLS'ers.
Why? Well, I'm glad you asked. Pull up a chair.
Calcium is one of those *vital* things needed for muscle contraction. The most important muscle, of course, is the heart. No matter what, if the body has some access to usable calcium, it will maintain your blood serum calcium at a constant rate. I bet my numbers are the same as yours, same as my mom's, my dad's, my hubby's, your sister's, etc. Hell, even my dogs and cats might have the same level -- I haven't ventured into vetrinary science to find out.
Point is, this number will only change if you have no more calcium to give or you are in an immediate health crisis (which would, I hope, mean you are in a hospital already).
Again, why?
Well, when the body isn't getting enough elemental calcium, it produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). That little bugger will go to your bones and start to dissolve them, releasing stored calcium into your bloodstream for all those muscles (and again, the heart) to work. The body *will* rob Peter to pay Paul, and in this case, the heart is Paul.
So how can we know if we are absorbing enough calcium? Are *you* dissolving into a pile of mush while you are sitting here? Here's how you can tell:
1) The most important is a DEXA scan -- this will actually test your bone density.. should be done at least 1x per 2 years, with those who have issues doing it more often. Sometimes insurance won't pay, and that sucks. It's your choice whether you want to pay out of pocket or not, but it's the most definitive way to test bone mass.
2) Blood tests that *do* help to indicate your melting ability are 25(OH)D and the PTH. If the PTH is high (and keep in mind, we want no little buggers swimming around in us ideally), and the D is low (mineral required to hold that bone mass), then you are melting as we sit. Vitalady has suggested that we want our D levels to be 80-100 at the very minimum. She knows more about lab values than I do, so I'm going with her number.
So next time you see "I've been taking Tums and my calcium levels are perfect", you will know why this number really doesn't mean squat.
Have a great day, y'all. One of my little vikings is being an attention ***** and wants me all to herself.
Everyone should know that the blood serum calcium level test is pretty much useless in 90% of the population, including WLS'ers.
Why? Well, I'm glad you asked. Pull up a chair.
Calcium is one of those *vital* things needed for muscle contraction. The most important muscle, of course, is the heart. No matter what, if the body has some access to usable calcium, it will maintain your blood serum calcium at a constant rate. I bet my numbers are the same as yours, same as my mom's, my dad's, my hubby's, your sister's, etc. Hell, even my dogs and cats might have the same level -- I haven't ventured into vetrinary science to find out.
Point is, this number will only change if you have no more calcium to give or you are in an immediate health crisis (which would, I hope, mean you are in a hospital already).
Again, why?
Well, when the body isn't getting enough elemental calcium, it produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). That little bugger will go to your bones and start to dissolve them, releasing stored calcium into your bloodstream for all those muscles (and again, the heart) to work. The body *will* rob Peter to pay Paul, and in this case, the heart is Paul.
So how can we know if we are absorbing enough calcium? Are *you* dissolving into a pile of mush while you are sitting here? Here's how you can tell:
1) The most important is a DEXA scan -- this will actually test your bone density.. should be done at least 1x per 2 years, with those who have issues doing it more often. Sometimes insurance won't pay, and that sucks. It's your choice whether you want to pay out of pocket or not, but it's the most definitive way to test bone mass.
2) Blood tests that *do* help to indicate your melting ability are 25(OH)D and the PTH. If the PTH is high (and keep in mind, we want no little buggers swimming around in us ideally), and the D is low (mineral required to hold that bone mass), then you are melting as we sit. Vitalady has suggested that we want our D levels to be 80-100 at the very minimum. She knows more about lab values than I do, so I'm going with her number.
So next time you see "I've been taking Tums and my calcium levels are perfect", you will know why this number really doesn't mean squat.
Have a great day, y'all. One of my little vikings is being an attention ***** and wants me all to herself.
'Vitamins for Dummies' has already been published but 'Vitamins and supplements for WLS Dummies' hasn't. Maybe you and Vita Lady should look into that. Thats the book I want to buy but it isn't there yet. The 'Dummies' book on WLS nutrition hasn't been published yet either. I will read just about anything with Dummies in the title if I want to learn the subject matter before going to the other books on the subject. Any way just saying.......... You need to get all this brain power into a readable book for reference. I am not as good about researching as you are.
Ann and the 'Bean'
Blogs mysecondhalfoflife.blogspot.com/ and amanicinsomniacsreadinglist.blogspot.com/
High/Surg/current/goal - 320/253/150/healthy - I am 5' 3" tall - Size 8 now! Past surgeon's goal now!
Blogs mysecondhalfoflife.blogspot.com/ and amanicinsomniacsreadinglist.blogspot.com/
High/Surg/current/goal - 320/253/150/healthy - I am 5' 3" tall - Size 8 now! Past surgeon's goal now!
Most Active
Recent Topics
