Hello,
Precipitation of calcium in the kidney and the formation of renal stones that subsequently cause renal damage is a known complication from excess calcium intake.
The kidney excretes the waste products from our bodies and dissolves them in water. So, the key point is to maintain an adequate amount of water in the urine to avoid crystallizations and stone formation. The most common stones formed in the kidney are calcium oxalates.
In a study of thousands of women on calcium supplements, investigators found that a high intake of dietary calcium reduces the risk of kidney stones but supplemental calcium increases the risk unless it is taken with meals, particularly oxalate containing meals.
When calcium is taken with food, some of it will bind to oxalate in the intestine inhibit its absorption, so less will reach the urine to form a stone. Plus if calcium is taken without food, more calcium absorption occurs and stone formation will be more likely.
Symptoms suggestive of concentrated urine and or high level of solutes in urine are
frequency and irritation or
pain while urinate (dysuria).
I advise you to follow up with your doctor; he might recommend urine analysis, blood tests for calcium and vitamin D levels. Accordingly, he will determine the proper amount and types of supplements you need.
Please keep us updated.
Best regards.
This answer does not substitute for direct medical consultation.
Dr. Safaa Mahmoud.
MB BCh, MSc Internal Medicine. MD Medical Oncology.
PhD Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science.
