Question:
Good Article on Calcium

   — Patty.W (posted on May 3, 2005)

May 3, 2005
Unfortunately, high PTH in us is pretty expectable, especially for carbonate or no calcium supplement users. Even those who DO supplement many find their first test levels high, because we didn't take enough. Of course, where was it pre-op? That's one most of us will never know since it is assumed that all heavy ppl have dense bones (not true, since most of us have dieted often and lost bone mass every time). However, before everyone goes and jerks the PTH OUT without further investigating, while you are investigating, you can try up, up, upping your calcium citrate and D and see if that helps bring levels back into balance. Our calcium levels were way too high on carbonate. Oops, no bones. So we began the process of rebuilding with citrate. First PTH was high, we increased the citrate, calcium levels start to lok better, PTH looked better. Worked on D, those levels worked better, too. At our last endocrinologist visit, and his look at our labs, he said, "Why am I seeing you again?" So, that tells me our diligence paid off. But we had to keep throwing calcium citrate and D in there to get things all nice. I'm guessing that with my stature, diet and family history, I did not start my journey in 1994 with solid bones. But I'll never know because, of course, All heavy ppl have dense bones, or so it is rumored. BTW, of those who have been scanned for density pre-op, appx 50% already do show bone loss.
   — vitalady

May 4, 2005
Patty, great article and observation!
   — yourdivaness