Question 1

which is better for bone health: calcium carbonate or calcium citrate? specifically, which one has a higher chance of causing kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Neither: Recent studies have concluded that calcium in any form has no value in building bone or preventing bone loss.

Question 2

is calcium citrate for kidney stone patient  safe?

Accepted Answer

Relatively safe: The citrate in calcium citrate is helpful to prevent stone disease. Calcium however could increase calcium excretion in urine. It has the potential of binding oxalate in the gut which is a beneficial effect. If using calcium citrate, need your doc to evaluate your 24 hour calcium excretion in urine to ascertain that the total calcium excretion in urine is not elevated.

Question 3

does calcium citrate prevent kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Has a potential: But need a f/u with your doc to make sure that calcium level in 24 hour urine is not increased much. The citrate is the good part that will increase in urine. Also, oxalate may decrease in urine due to calcium binding in gut, which is a good thing.

Question 4

if eating a meal high in oxalates, should i take calcium citrate supplement to minimize a kidney stone from forming?

Accepted Answer

Avoid oxalate. : Dietary ca helps to prevent oxalate absorption in gut, but excessive ca intake might increase risk of other ca stones. Would not restrict dietary ca intake, but would also not necessarily add supplement. Restricting your dietary oxalate will reduce risk of forming caoxalate stones. Your doctor can offer more specific advice based on your urine chemistries.

Question 5

as a young male,25yo (underweight-55kg),can i take 250 mg of calcium citrate everyday throughout life? without any risk of side effects/kidney stones. i want to keep my bones healthy. sometimes i skip milk, hence worried.my mother has osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

: Ideal oral calcium intake is 1800 - 2000mg/day. Routine meals provide 100mg, thus 3 meals are 300mg/day. Additional calcium can come from dairy servings which typically provide ~300mg (milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.). Other sources can be fortified foods (ie. orange juice). When falling short, supplementation is beneficial. Calcium citrate is a great choice. 250mg is a small amt and is safe.

Question 6

what to take if my.kidney stones are calcium dyhydrate carbonate and monohydrate?

Accepted Answer

Water: You should make between 2 and 4 liters of urine daily, add some lemon juice to the water, and reduce the amount of animal protein that you eat. All these dietary changes are helpful, but may not completely stop your stone formation.

Question 7

is taking calcium carbonate supplement contributory to kidney stone formation?

Accepted Answer

Definitely, yes: It is well documented that Calcium supplements may increase the risk of kidney stone disease, if the daily dose is over 2,000mg/day.

Question 8

can tums (calcium carbonate) cause kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Tums (calcium carbonate) have calcium in them and excess calcium either stays in the the intestine and goes with a bm or is absorbed and goes out in the urine.  Excess use of calcium supplements can lead to stones.  That being said we usually don't restrict dietary calcium.

Question 9

can taking too many tums (calcium carbonate) can cause kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

No correlation: I'm assuming you mean can any physical activity you perform cause a kidney stone.

Question 10

would taking tums (calcium carbonate) before going to bed (without food) cause kidney stones to form? i've done this 3-times over a 2-week duration & got a 3mm stone.

Accepted Answer

Stones: No. Not likely causative for kidney stones.  The risk factors for most types of kidney stones have little to do with calcium consumption. Especially short term as you've described.

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Doctor answers about:

Calcium citrate vs carbonate and kidney stones

A member asked:

Which is better for bone health: calcium carbonate or calcium citrate? specifically, which one has a higher chance of causing kidney stones?

A member asked:

Is calcium citrate for kidney stone patient safe?

A member asked:

Does calcium citrate prevent kidney stones?

A member asked:

If eating a meal high in oxalates, should i take calcium citrate supplement to minimize a kidney stone from forming?

A member asked:

As a young male,25yo (underweight-55kg),can i take 250 mg of calcium citrate everyday throughout life? without any risk of side effects/kidney stones. i want to keep my bones healthy. sometimes i skip milk, hence worried.my mother has osteoarthritis?

A member asked:

What to take if my.kidney stones are calcium dyhydrate carbonate and monohydrate?

A member asked:

Is taking calcium carbonate supplement contributory to kidney stone formation?

A member asked:

Can tums (calcium carbonate) cause kidney stones?

A member asked:

Can taking too many tums (calcium carbonate) can cause kidney stones?

A member asked:

Would taking tums (calcium carbonate) before going to bed (without food) cause kidney stones to form? i've done this 3-times over a 2-week duration & got a 3mm stone.

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