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Would Enough Calcium In My Diet Prevent My Chances Of Getting Osteoporosis?
Question: Hi,
I am 67 years old male in good general health. I get annual physicals with MD VIP. One blood test is calcium total. My readings are just very slightly below the middle of the range . Does this mean that I am getting enough calcium in my diet, I dont have to take calcium supplements, and I should not get osteoporosis. Thanks.
I am 67 years old male in good general health. I get annual physicals with MD VIP. One blood test is calcium total. My readings are just very slightly below the middle of the range . Does this mean that I am getting enough calcium in my diet, I dont have to take calcium supplements, and I should not get osteoporosis. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
not an indicator of inadequate calcium intake
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since the calcium levels are within the normal range, there is nothing to worry about. Be warned though that this is not an accurate indicator of calcium quantity as the body stores reside mainly in the bones. Serum calcium may be normal even if the bones are calcium depleted. The body may use bone calcium when its calcium intake is inadequate. Also take into account that you've got to eat at least two servings of dairy products per day to make sure you get all the calcium you need.
Kind Regards!
not an indicator of inadequate calcium intake
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
since the calcium levels are within the normal range, there is nothing to worry about. Be warned though that this is not an accurate indicator of calcium quantity as the body stores reside mainly in the bones. Serum calcium may be normal even if the bones are calcium depleted. The body may use bone calcium when its calcium intake is inadequate. Also take into account that you've got to eat at least two servings of dairy products per day to make sure you get all the calcium you need.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your response.
How do I find out that my bones are calcium depleted ? How do I know I am not getting enough calcium? Are there physical signs ? What is the use of calcium blood test if it may be due to calcium coming from bones?
How do I find out that my bones are calcium depleted ? How do I know I am not getting enough calcium? Are there physical signs ? What is the use of calcium blood test if it may be due to calcium coming from bones?
Brief Answer:
please read the full answer
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
There is a radiological test that checks for bone demineralization (DEXA scan). Two servings of dairy products (milk, yogurt, etc) should be OK for most males. There are no physical signs. If your bones loose enough calcium then they may become fragile and brake easier than normal (even without significant force).
We need to check the calcium levels for various reasons for example to screen for parathyroid disorders (hypo/hyper-parathyroidism), investigate patients with sleepiness or polyuria, check how a patient with chronic kidney disease goes, etc. It's not used to assess the body stores. Keep in mind that serum calcium is only a small fraction of the total body calcium (approximately 1%).
I hope it's clear now! Please let me know if you need more information.
Kind Regards!
please read the full answer
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
There is a radiological test that checks for bone demineralization (DEXA scan). Two servings of dairy products (milk, yogurt, etc) should be OK for most males. There are no physical signs. If your bones loose enough calcium then they may become fragile and brake easier than normal (even without significant force).
We need to check the calcium levels for various reasons for example to screen for parathyroid disorders (hypo/hyper-parathyroidism), investigate patients with sleepiness or polyuria, check how a patient with chronic kidney disease goes, etc. It's not used to assess the body stores. Keep in mind that serum calcium is only a small fraction of the total body calcium (approximately 1%).
I hope it's clear now! Please let me know if you need more information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your detailed and useful answer.
I had a Dexascan done last year. I had a T score of minus 0.1 for left hip and plus 1.0 for spine. Will you say they are excellent or good or fair. Also are they good enough if I live to say 100 years old.
You said two servings of dairy daily is enough. Is one serving 400 mg calcium? Is yogurt preferable to milk?
I get about 150 mg of calcium daily from my multi vitamin. Is that ok with 2 servings of dairy?
When Should I repeat my Dexa scan?
Thank you.
I had a Dexascan done last year. I had a T score of minus 0.1 for left hip and plus 1.0 for spine. Will you say they are excellent or good or fair. Also are they good enough if I live to say 100 years old.
You said two servings of dairy daily is enough. Is one serving 400 mg calcium? Is yogurt preferable to milk?
I get about 150 mg of calcium daily from my multi vitamin. Is that ok with 2 servings of dairy?
When Should I repeat my Dexa scan?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
excellent
Detailed Answer:
Regarding your DEXA score, it's excellent (both are). Your future scores cannot be predicted but your current one is great!
Two servings are enough for most males. 400mg is a good approximation of the calcium content in each of them. Most people cannot tolerate milk (flatulence, abdominal cramps, diarrhea), so yogurt is preferable. The supplement adds even more calcium so you should be perfectly fine with 2 servings per day.
Regarding the next DEXA scan, it's not absolutely necessary that you keep monitoring your bone density since it's so great at this age, unless there are other signs of osteoporosis, like a fracture or spinal deformities, etc which is very doubtful that you'll ever get. If you want to do the scan again I wouldn't recommend repeating it before at least 2-3 years after the last one.
Best Regards!
excellent
Detailed Answer:
Regarding your DEXA score, it's excellent (both are). Your future scores cannot be predicted but your current one is great!
Two servings are enough for most males. 400mg is a good approximation of the calcium content in each of them. Most people cannot tolerate milk (flatulence, abdominal cramps, diarrhea), so yogurt is preferable. The supplement adds even more calcium so you should be perfectly fine with 2 servings per day.
Regarding the next DEXA scan, it's not absolutely necessary that you keep monitoring your bone density since it's so great at this age, unless there are other signs of osteoporosis, like a fracture or spinal deformities, etc which is very doubtful that you'll ever get. If you want to do the scan again I wouldn't recommend repeating it before at least 2-3 years after the last one.
Best Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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