I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: kristina on January 03, 2014, 04:35:44 AM

Title: ESRF & Calcium & Vitamin B supplements ?
Post by: kristina on January 03, 2014, 04:35:44 AM
This is a question for patients who have been in ESRF
for ~ two years or more without being prepared for dialysis.

The question is: has your physician/doctor/nephrologist prescribed you
Calcium and Vitamin B supplements because you are in ESRF?

Possibly patients may be given supplements prior to their preparation for dialysis,
but my question concerns those patients who are continuing to be in ESRF
without the need for dialysis.

Thank you from Kristina.
Title: Re: ESRF & Calcium & Vitamin B supplements ?
Post by: obsidianom on January 03, 2014, 05:44:40 AM
Be careful with calcium . There is little evidence it really helps and with renal disease it can be quickly dangerous. The reduced kidney filtration can raise blood calcium levels into hypercalcemia. That can be dangerous and sometimes lethal. Also it can add to calcification of blood vessels.
Title: Re: ESRF & Calcium & Vitamin B supplements ?
Post by: kristina on January 03, 2014, 12:26:59 PM

Hello obsidianom,

Thank you very much for this very interesting reply to my question.

It certainly is food for thought and I appreciate your thinking very much.

Thanks again from Kristina.

Title: Re: ESRF & Calcium & Vitamin B supplements ?
Post by: Razman on January 04, 2014, 07:15:04 AM
  I take both  but I will ask the doctors  next  time I see them.   There was a review that questioned the use of calcium.

Are calcium-based phosphate binders obsolete?   http://ukidney.com/blog/entry/are-calcium-based-phosphate-binders-obsolete (http://ukidney.com/blog/entry/are-calcium-based-phosphate-binders-obsolete)
Title: Re: ESRF & Calcium & Vitamin B supplements ?
Post by: MooseMom on January 04, 2014, 09:32:54 AM
My neph never put me on either calcium or Vitamin B.  Obsidianom is absolutely correct that poor kidney function can lead to increase in PTH which in turn can lead to high serum calcium levels.  As a result of a low egfr for many years, my blood calcium ran high, so I'd avoid calcium supplements like the plague.