Do I need supplements when blood tests show calcium levels normal?

Your blood levels of calcium are closely regulated by numerous body systems, as even a little too high or low can cause problems.

With osteoporosis, there is not enough calcium in your bones. That is why calcium supplements are important. There are some patients that should not take calcium (kidney disease for instance). But if your doctor has recommended it, I believe you should listen

eunic, your body keeps serum calcium constant by taking it from your bones. I share your fear of calcium supplementation deposition in soft tissue, but you really can't determine your need for additional calcium by the serum calcium level.

Well, that is a good question for your doctor. I am 69 years old with osteoarthritis, and I take Calcium. Even though my levels in the blood stay normal, I continue. As we age, we tend to lose calcium, so I think it's a good idea to stay on supplementation.

eunic: Just curious, has any doctor ever suggested you go on any kind of medication? Have you just "treated" osteoporosis with calcium and vitamin D supplementation? Have you been able to stabilize your bone loss with just calcium/vit. D supplementation? But to reply to your question, if ever you were to go on Prolia, I was told my my endocrinologist that it is imperative to supplement with calcium and vitamin D.

I'm actually in the same predicament as you are. My DEXA scan came back showing that I have osteoporosis and my doctor recommended that I start taking medication for it which I refused. However, she never mentioned the possibility of having a calcium and/or magnesium deficiency may actually be the reason I have developed osteoporosis to begin with. I just recently went back and re-read my dexa scan notes. Funny, the technician recommended calcium supplements. Anyway, I did do some research and it appears as though our body is highly regulated in keeping these minerals available in the blood. It also appears as though the blood samples are not exactly accurate because in the case of malnutrition, etc., our system will extract calcium and magnesium from our bones to keep it in the blood supply, thereby depleting it from our bones. I am actually going to be visiting my physician in less than a week so I'm going to be approaching this subject with her at that time. What I can tell you is that I've already ordered these supplements because my symptoms and condition point in the direction of the bones being depleted. I don't want to wait until all of my teeth fall out for me to get the message if you know what I mean.

@jeepgrl - I was told by an integrative dr that the blood calcium levels will remain pretty steady for the reasons that you mentioned. She said that the 24-hr urine collection is a better indicator.

I was taking 2000mg calcium supplements b/c I don't eat much dairy. My blood calcium levels have stayed consistent. When I did the urine collection lab, it indicated that I was losing a lot of calcium in my urine (excess). When I stopped taking calcium supplements for a couple of wks & submitted the urine collection again, it indicated that my calcium levels were very low (and my blood calcium levels remained the same).

So somewhere in there is where I need to land. I have cut my supplementation in half & plan to use the Cronometer app to track daily calcium food intake & then can supplement accordingly.