Calcium (NLOSS)

Patient Information Factsheet

North London Obesity Surgery Service (NLOSS)

What does calcium do?

• Calcium is very important for the health of your teeth and bones.
• 99% of the calcium in your body is stored in your teeth and bones.
• Calcium helps keep your heart, brain, nerves, and muscles working properly. It also helps your blood clot.

What happens if my calcium is low/if I do not get enough calcium?

• Most people do not notice any symptoms when their calcium levels are low (deficiency).
• Calcium is important for your heart and brain. If you do not get enough from food, your body will start taking calcium from your bones.
• This is like taking money out of a cash machine without checking your balance. You may not realise until it is all gone.
• Because of this, the first sign of low calcium may be a broken bone or losing a tooth unexpectedly.
• If calcium levels become very low, it can cause muscle cramps or spasms, tingling or burning around the mouth or fingers, facial twitching, shaking, or seizures.
• When bones lose calcium, it is called osteopenia if it is mild and osteoporosis if it is more severe.
• If low calcium continues for a long time, it can cause permanent bone loss.
• This can make bones weak, lead to broken bones, and make it harder to move.

What are other symptoms of calcium deficiency?

• Difficulty swallowing
• Faintness
• Anxiety, irritability
• Low blood pressure
• Intestinal cramping (bowel craps)
• Spinal or hip pain
• Compression fracture (when a bone in the spine collapses or is squashed)
• Loss of height
• Spasms of the lungs
• Brittle nails and hair (nails and hair become weak and break easily)

Where can I get calcium?

• The very best sources of calcium in food are dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
• There is also calcium in fortified soy and rice drinks, fortified juice, and fish where you eat the bones (like sardines).
• Some vegetables, like leafy greens, have calcium, but the body does not absorb this type of calcium very well.
• Calcium is also found in dietary supplements as liquids, powders, tablets, capsules, and soft chews.
• If you do not get enough calcium from food or your levels are low, your doctor will likely ask you to take calcium supplements and eat calcium-rich foods.
• If you have had weight loss surgery, you may be asked to take a special type of calcium, like calcium citrate, which your body absorbs better.

Other important things

• Because you usually cannot feel when your calcium levels are low, you may not know if you are getting enough.
• Your Doctor may ask you to have a bone density test to look at how much calcium you have in bones.
• They might ask questions about what you eat to see how much calcium you are getting from your diet.
• If your calcium is low or your bones are weak, the Doctor will give you care instructions as well as appointments for follow ups and tests. You must follow any care they recommend and attend these appointments.

Further information

Please visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/

Contact our service

Should you need more information, please contact our Specialist Bariatric Dietitians on 020 7288 5989, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.