Amount of Calcium, Vitamin D in Supplements Too High for Some Women

US Pharm. 2014;39(7):6.

Mayfield Heights, OH— The usual supplementation of calcium and vitamin D recommended for older women may result in excess levels in some patients, according to a study published online in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society. In the randomized, placebo-controlled study, women aged 57 to 90 years who had low vitamin D levels were given standard amounts of calcium citrate and vitamin D. About 9% of women developed hypercalcemia and 31% developed hypercalciuria, both of which may lead to problems such as kidney stones. Researchers noted that even modest calcium supplementation (500 mg/day) may be too much for some women and recommended that patients’ calcium levels be measured before initiation and again within 3 months.