Calcium & Vitamen D

Hey everyone,

I had my 6 month post-op and the doctor recommended I start taking Calcium supplements as well as Vitamen D.  I went to the local vitamen place and picked up some of the Calcium Citrate and a Vitamen D pill.  MY GOD - the Calcium pill is HUGE (I physically cut it down 2X) and doesn't taste good when chewed.

What do you use?  Can anyone comment on the difference between Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Cirtate?  What about the "liquid" Calcium pills I saw? 

Hearing your experiences will be helpful. 

Thank you,

GD_007

I believe that calcium citrate is the one that we are supposed to take - I'll confirm later when I see my surgeon - I know I should be taking it too. There is a chewable - I was taking them for a while. They weren't too bad - just chalky. As for the vitamin D - I haven't been asked to take that one yet.

Best of luck!

Liz

I was told by my surgeon to take the calcium citrate. It is easier for the body to absorb it. I take liuquid calcium citrate with magnesium. I bought it at GNC. It has an orange flavor but it is thick. It isn't too bad. It is quick and easy. I know I was low on Vitamine D before surgery so I probably still am. I should probably do something about this now.

Thanks Sandra,
I'm an avid GNC shopper - in fact, should go today to get my additional 20% off :).  I'll take a look for the orange one your talking about.  The "horse pills" I bought from ACME are not fun....
-GD

Found this video to be informative:
http://www.citracal.com/Calcium/Calcium-Comparison.aspx

and this website article as well:
http://www.healthcastle.com/calciumcarbonate-calciumcitrate. shtml

Regards,
-GD

We're supposed to take Calcium Citrate because it absorbs easier than carbonate...Carbonate is difficult to absorb in a normal pouch person nevermind us. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and that's why you will see some calcium has Vitamin D included in it and if it's not, people will just take it separately.

I was getting sick from all calcium I tried but then I started using Celebrate Vitamins chewable calcium plus which has vitamin d added and I haven't become sick since. They will send you a free sample if you contact them.

Bariatric Vitamins | Gastric Bypass Vitamins | Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins

I'm still amazed that you took the time to post to me on this while you were going through your recent medical issues.

YOU ROCK.... now get better please.
-GD

Thanks! I don't think I've ever been told that I ROCK!! I gotta say, I think like it...lol...I would be suffering whether I post or not so I figure why not at least try to help instead of wallowing in my own misery ya know? Plus, it helps to keep my mind off of things.

Just to add to what Pam said about the blood tests...The only way you're going to catch a true calcium deficiency before it's depleted enough to show up in your bloodwork is to have a baseline bone density/dexa scan and then have the scan repeated every so often for comparison.The frequency depends on the doctor. Some say every year, others say every 2 or even 3 years. Regardless of frequency though, it will show whether your bones are being affected and deteriorating. Just be careful with insurance coverage for the test because at one time, insurance companies were not allowing payment for it if you were under a certain age and did not meet additional criteria such as having a history of osteoporosis.

I take the calcium citrate with Vit. D from the Vitamin Shoppe.  It is fairly large but I can easily swallow it without cutting it and it has no taste.  I think when you start cutting things they can taste much worse!

Everyone pretty much answered the question already....I take a generic brand from costco just because I bought a huge container of it and still have it left.  It is a calcium citrate w/ vitamin D in it.  The pills are BIG...but I don't have trouble swallowing them at all.

The vitamin D thing helping calcium to be absorbed is right on...and pretty important for us.

As an aside....even if your calcium level is checked in your blood work, it is not an accurate measurement.  The body, as far as calcium is concerned, is very sneaky.  It will "steal" calcium from your bones...to bring your blood level up...so you won't "know" if you are low on calcium.  If your blood calcium levels are ever shown as "low" - you are in some pretty big trouble and generally have an underlying cause.....another tidbit of info from the silly nurse....

Pam