High calcium--has anyone had this?

[Chris in VA]

Just got physical results/blood work. I need a colonoscopy to rule out some things, and I have very low D and high calcium. I do take a Tums nearly every night. They said to stop the supplements for a month and then return for more bloodwork, at which time, if it's normal, they will prescribe Vit. D supplements.

 

Has anyone had this?

[gardenmom5]

tums will up your calcium.  calcium needs to be balanced  with magnesium.

 

WHY are you taking them every night?  have you made dietary changes to reduce heartburn? (sugar is a big  one for me.)

 

what is "very low d"? depending  upon where it is - i'd supplementing with d3 right now.   the oil used for delivery matters.   we have a hard time absorbing d3 - I'm now using NOW d3  5,000ius in a geltab.  I'd been taking costco d3 for years, and my levels still have never hit 50. (considered the minimum.)

drops including vit.k are more easily absorbed.

[marbel]

I did, a couple of years ago.  I see a kidney specialist because of a history of stones.  (Just two, but one got stuck and caused an infection.)   Urine test showed high levels of calcium which can contribute to the formation of the stones.  I take magnesium and 400 i.u. of Vit D3 each day; don't supplement with calcium but was told not to cut calcium foods. 

 

Do you take tums for the calcium or for heartburn/GERD? 

 

Getting my chemistry right after that stupid stone has been a hassle. 

[Katy]

I vaguely remember this from nursing school, imbalance is a sign of a few different things, but unfortunately I don't remember all of what they are (the thing about nursing is you become an expert on the 30-50 things your floor treats regularly, and forget all the others).  I do remember some of them are quite serious though (cardiac issues and certain kinds of cancer are what comes to mind), so do take this seriously.

[lewber]

Mine was high years ago and they suspected parathyroid issues, but it came down next time I tested so we didn't pursue. In my case I was having heartburn issues and had gone to get bloodwork unexpectedly and had taken a tums and drank milk during what should have been the fasting time.

Hopefully yours will normalize when you stop the tums.

Small meals and my wedge pillow has been the most help for me with regard to heartburn. But I know everyone is different when it comes to the causes.

[Isabella]

Having had a blood cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma) a few years ago, my haematologist always looks for higher calcium levels at each check up.  This can be an indication of some inflammatory process going on in the body - be in cancer, or something less serious.  Not to worry you though!  But I'd check it out further nonetheless. 

[momto10blessings]

I've heard that a good magnesium supplement will raise d levels and lower calcium

[lailasmum]

My mum has high calcium and it was a combination of meds and parathyroid issue. She now avoids calcium rich things and the meds with calcium. They're still figuring out if she needs surgery. 

[Chris in VA]

Thanks, all. I am concerned. My brother had lymphoma, and it first showed up as stomach issues. So, while I don't think that's the problem, it does trigger some worry.

I am going back next month.

[Isabella]

:grouphug: hugs for your concern.  The worrying is the suck-iest part!

Does your doctor know your family history?  I suppose if you were overly concerned you could ask him to run some other tests to look for other markers.  Lymphoma is a difficult thing to initially diagnose.  My diagnosis didn't come until I'd had signs (swollen lymph nodes in neck) for around a year. The interim is called 'watch and wait'.  In the worst case scenario - it's extremely treatable.  My aunt had it around 50 yrs ago - stage 4, and is still around today.  I'm  5yrs in remission and doing fine.  

And do remember, it could be something much more simple, such as your use of Tums. 

Feel free to pm me if you'd like.