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Does Too Much Calcium Intake Increase The Risk Of Blood Clot Formation?
Question: I read somewhere that too much calcium is bad, especially if you have a blood clotting disorder. I am heterozygous for Leiden Factor so my blood clots a bit more then the average person and I'm at a slightly higher risk of blood clots. I've never had one. I'm 31. I drink quite a bit of milk. In my daily latte, with cereal, a larger glass of it, etc. and I eat foods with it in it as well. Could I be affecting myself negatively? I'm also 22 weeks pregnant.
Brief Answer:
Get levels monitored, as such needs of calcium are high in pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Being heterozygous for Leiden factor does increase your risk compared to the normal person, for blood clots, and pregnancy itself, predisposes to blood clotting.
And yes, too much of calcium can also increase the risk of blood clot formation.
On the other hand, calcium requirement is increased during pregnancy, and it is critical for the well being of the mother and the baby.
So yes, you are right in taking good amount of dairy products in your diet, but avoiding extra supplements which are generally prescribed in pregnancy.
Another good measure is to monitor your serum calcium levels by regularly getting them tested.
That way you know where you stand - are you deficient in it, and thus need more during pregnancy, or are you taking enough in your diet, or are you overdoing the dietary intake, thus putting yourself at risk of clots ?
SO get those levels done periodically, and dont worry too much.
You cannot take too much calcium unless you are drinking down litres of milk literally.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Write in directly to me anytime at the following link -
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623
Take care.
Get levels monitored, as such needs of calcium are high in pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Being heterozygous for Leiden factor does increase your risk compared to the normal person, for blood clots, and pregnancy itself, predisposes to blood clotting.
And yes, too much of calcium can also increase the risk of blood clot formation.
On the other hand, calcium requirement is increased during pregnancy, and it is critical for the well being of the mother and the baby.
So yes, you are right in taking good amount of dairy products in your diet, but avoiding extra supplements which are generally prescribed in pregnancy.
Another good measure is to monitor your serum calcium levels by regularly getting them tested.
That way you know where you stand - are you deficient in it, and thus need more during pregnancy, or are you taking enough in your diet, or are you overdoing the dietary intake, thus putting yourself at risk of clots ?
SO get those levels done periodically, and dont worry too much.
You cannot take too much calcium unless you are drinking down litres of milk literally.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Write in directly to me anytime at the following link -
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So as long as I'm not drinking a gallon of milk a day I'm fine? Some days I drink more then others. I always have one latte in the morning which has milk in it and then normally just get it from food and may drink a larger glass in the evening or something on some days. So with that, in your opinion, is that too much? My doctor has me on one baby aspirin a day too. I can get tested, but if you say I shouldn't worry too much, do you think I'm ok with that intake? I'm walking 6-7 days a week and taking the low dose aspirin once a day.
Brief Answer:
I dont think it is too much
Detailed Answer:
I think you are okay with that intake.
You are staying pretty much active, and are also on the aspirin.
There is no way you could have a calcium overdose, that too, being 22 weeks pregnant, with the kind of dietary intake that you describe.
So you can relax about that.
I dont think it is too much
Detailed Answer:
I think you are okay with that intake.
You are staying pretty much active, and are also on the aspirin.
There is no way you could have a calcium overdose, that too, being 22 weeks pregnant, with the kind of dietary intake that you describe.
So you can relax about that.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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