Connect
Interesting article - combining calcium and vit d
Meta-Analysis BMC Musculoskelet Disord
. 2025 Oct 8;26(1):928. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09089-7.
The effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density and fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Bo Cong 1, Haiguang Zhang 2
Affiliations Expand
PMID: 41063100 PMCID: PMC12506016 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-025-09089-7
Abstract
PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the efficacy of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple medical databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception to present. Data extraction and analysis were performed to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), which were then presented in forest plots. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs with 43,869 participants were included. Combined supplementation modestly improved BMD at the pelvis (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05–0.35, p = 0.01) without significant changes in BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, or total hip. The overall fracture risk was not significantly reduced (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.89–1.07, p = 0.68). Subgroup analyses revealed improvements in serum 25‑hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD), especially in participants with baseline deficiencies (Z = 10.48, p < 0.001). No dose-response effect was noted for supplementation duration. Fracture outcomes from three large trials (> 42 000 participants) yielded a neutral effect on any clinical fracture (pooled RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.85–1.07; Z = 1.08, P = 0.28; I² = 0%). Sensitivity analyses affirmed the findings’ stability, with no evident publication bias. CONCLUSION: Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation may improve pelvic BMD and correct serum 25OHD deficiencies in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, but does not reduce clinical fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Larger, highdose RCTs with rigorous adherence monitoring and adjudicated fracture endpoints are warranted.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.
Connect
@babs10 Interesting about the legal Good Faith Estimate...I also have another problem in that most facilities (I need to call a few more) absolutely require a doc's referral...and the referral he gave me is for the place I have had previous DEXA scans at. They are the ones who forwarded me to a call center to get an estimate for private pay. Call center doesn't do a written estimate. Two phone calls; two different prices. So the search continues! I will call a few other facilities (I also want TBS; my current DEXA center doesn't have that) to see if I can get a scan even without a doc's referral (since he said he doesn't need one medically; BTM markers tell him the meds are working) OR ask him to refer me to a different scan center. That should go over well! How and where did you get yours? Maybe a road trip!
The doctor specified a location for the scan? I know it's recommended to use the same machine, same tech, etc., but I went elsewhere b/c I wanted to get the TBS reading. If you are paying out of pocket, I don't understand why a doctor would not simply write the order. What does it matter to him?
I got mine at UC Health Anschutz in Aurora, CO.
Where do you live?
@babs10 I do see him again later this month; blood work for my second reclast infusion (without knowing if the first one is working or not - regardless of BTMs - for my mental health I need to see my bone density numbers with TBS). So will do a bit more research on different places to get DEXA/TBS and ask him to refer me to one of those centers. He told me it is not of utmost importance, just preferred, to get same machine, same tech. Of course, techs quit, machines are relaced, and patients move so how important is it exactly.