Does Forteo Interact With Vitamin And Mineral Supplements?

Posted on Thu, 2 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 2 Feb 2017 Answered on

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I take numerous vitimins and supplements and minerals, including high doses of calcium, magnesium, and vit. d-3. Can you give me a list of vitimins and minerals and anything else that forteo sometimes interacts with?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
calcium and vitamin D

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

forteo may increase calcium and vitamin D concentrations and cause hypercalcemia. Using more then 1000mg of calcium is not recommended. Using vitamin D is not recommended either particularly if the blood levels of 25(OH) vitamin D3 are normal or even a little lower than normal.

I don't know of any other interactions between forteo and supplements... If you're interested about any particularl substance, please ask...

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (57 minutes later)

Correction : Spine is -3.5 on bone density test (NOT -.35)

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
perhaps you can discuss alternative treatment with your doctor

Detailed Answer:
-3.5 means that your bones are significantly deficient in minerals. It doesn't change the fact that forteo and calcium (particularly in high dosages) may cause hypercalcemia, so taking calcium less than 1000mg per day is recommended. Forteo increases calcium absorption from the intestine so you're going to receive the necessary amounts. If your doctor insists on taking more calcium then perhaps you should watch the blood levels, just to be sure no harm will be done.

Regarding your osteoporosis, it seems that it fails to improve with forteo. Perhaps you should discuss with your doctor about alternative treatments.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar