Do Your Medications Hinder the Absorption of Your Calcium?

Calcium is absolutely vital for good health. The proper amount of calcium helps keep our bones strong so they don't break unexpectedly. The proper amount of calcium helps maintain weight, helps in muscle contraction including those regulating the heart, and blood clotting, protects against some forms of cancer, and elevates premenstrual moods. In fact, calcium is a vital component of most bodily functions. I know how important calcium is to the body.

I also thought I knew quite a bit about the interactions between calcium and my medications, but what I didn't know was undermining my health. During the summer my jaw began to ache. While my first thought was a problem with my teeth, the pain felt deeper. It also moved from upper to lower, right to left jaw, making it hard to chew at times.

On our vacation, my sister-in-law Jennifer, a dentist, insisted on taking a look. She checked me out pretty thoroughly, even doing some minor repair work. She found no answer for the pain I suffered-though my teeth looked better after that visit.

That vacation brought into my hands a magazine article that changed everything. Ever since I'd stepped down on my leg only to have it break beneath me, I'd been taking Fosamax to keep my bones strong. I knew that along with the medication, I needed to take a calcium supplement. Why? Because medications like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva often siphon calcium from the blood to build up the bones. Taking calcium helps maintain proper blood levels of the mineral.

A few years after starting Fosamax, the doctor put me on a thyroid medication. I knew I was supposed to take the medications first thing in the morning with a glass of water (Fosamax on Monday mornings, the thyroid medication every other morning). I didn't consume anything for at least half an hour afterward nor did I lie down.

My regiment was to take my multivitamin, extra vitamin C, and calcium within an hour of taking my thyroid medication. Later in the day, I took glucosamine/chondroitin along with vitamin A (for my eyes).

While I connected Fosamax and calcium, I'd never connected my thyroid medication with calcium. The article opened my eyes. There was a time my legs wouldn't stay still during the night and I switched my calcium to the evenings. Once the symptoms faded, I returned to taking my calcium in the morning. My reasoning? I thought I needed the calcium more during the day when I was active then at night. What I've learned is that calcium is best taken at night when the resting body can best utilize it.

I was surprised to learn that I needed to take calcium at least 24 hours before or after taking Fosamax. I had no idea that I might be hindering the Fosamax in my system by taking calcium within that 24 hour period. What surprised me even more, was the connected between my intake of my thyroid medication and calcium. While calcium may need to be taken when using thyroid medications such as Levothroid, Levothyroxine, Synthroid or Armour, it should not be taken until at least four hours before or after taking the thyroid medication. No one told me.

I did know that coffee and soda siphon calcium from the body and I had long since put aside both beverages. I did not know that large quantities of whole-grain cereal and bran reduces absorption.

After reading the article, I realized my jaw pain might have something to do with calcium and medication interaction-or lack thereof. After returning from vacation, I changed when I take my supplements. I now make sure not to take calcium within 24 hours of taking my Fosamax. I make sure to take the calcium at least four hours after taking my thyroid medication. I have also began taking my calcium at night for maximum benefit, take my glucosamine/chondroitin and vitamin A in the morning (an hour or so after taking my thyroid medication), and take my multivitamin at noon along with vitamin C.

Within a day, my jaw pain eased. A few days later, it was completely gone and has not returned.

Calcium is vital for the body, but taking it at the right time with regard to medications is crucial. I'm glad I discovered such an easy fix for my pain, before I developed a much more severe problem.