Question:
Not a question-info about calcium & Vit D supplementation

I want to share this information with all of you. I had been in contact with a researcher at the Univ. of Pittsburgh, who has been conducting a study on calcium absorption of post-op gastric bypass patients. I found the article on the UPMC website: upmc.com. It briefly stated the research being done, and stated that bone loss was at a high rate following surgery. I emailed the researcher and asked a couple questions about the study, including what type of calcium the participants took. I received the following response:<p>"Dear Ms McChesney: Thanks so much for your interest in our research. We have been recommending that people take 1000mg calcium citrate daily because we also were concerned that calcium carbonate would not be absorbed after the surgery. The calcium in Tums is calcium carbonate. Our patients were taking a variety of supplements but largely switched to calcium citrate. A very similar operation used to be done to treat stomach ulcers. The part of the stomach which produces the most acid is bypassed so stomach acid is greatly reduced. We are also strongly recommending that people maintain vitamin D intake in the form of 1-2 multivitamins daily. Most vitamin D doesn't come from food, but is made by the body during sun exposure. This obviously varies with time of year and what latitude you live on. However vitamin D deficiency has been described in people after bypass surgery who weren't taking supplements. I would also suggest to someone who has discovered low bone density after this surgery that they have their vitamin D level checked. If someone is deficient, osteoporosis therapies will not be effective. There are very high dose forms of vitamin D available as a prescription which are given over a month to build levels up fast. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause muscle aches and weakness if it is severe and longstanding. There are many other supplements including iron and B12 which also need to be taken lifelong after the operation! I hope this has been helpful Penny Coates"<p>I will post this information on the message board as well. If I receive any more information from this researcher, I will let you all know about it.    — Carlita (posted on April 29, 2003)

April 29, 2003
THANKS CARLA! What great information. I am very concerned as a life long "only pop and coffee drinker". I had a Dexa bone scan at 8 months post op and already have the beginning of osteroporosis. (No big surprise).Also I could'nt find an Citrate that I could swallow so I have'nt been taken any (2 years post op now). I've had tons of potassium, b-12 (shots once a week now), and I'm now anemic. Now you mention vitamin D! Geese! What else do I have to worry about. I feel as if I've had the crap beat out of me, and run over by a truck. Perhaps it is vitamin D. I'm going to look into it. THANKS! :)
   — Danmark

April 29, 2003
Could you ask them if they have any info on tricalcium phosphate? It is also touted as an extremely absorbable form of calcium and it has more calcium per gram so the pills are smaller. I have even found it available as gummy bears! I can't get a straight answer from the company that sells the brand about absorbability . . .
   — ctyst

April 29, 2003
Great post Carla! Thanks! Everything I have read about the PHOSPHATE form has said that it is the most difficult to absorb of all calcium forms and that because of that, you would have to take tons of it. Hope this helps.
   — Lisa I.