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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation While On Calcium Supplements

I have been taking Calcium Citrate ordered by my doctor to treat Osteopenia for over ten years. I have always had a tendency to be constipated, but for five or so years I have had a hard time expelling hard dry stools. Recently I heard that the Citrate in my Calcium pill is probably causing my problem with constipation. I switched over to an Organic Calcium pill with out Citrate in it. The results are that I am having soft small regular stools. I am curious why the Citrate would cause constipation. Why is that not advised on the container?
Sun, 16 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Calcium’s effect on muscles is to cause them to tighten up, to contract.

The colon is one large muscle.

When a calcium supplement isn't absorbed it causes the colon to tighten up.

Since calcium keeps the colon from relaxing, the colon finds it harder to move stool along.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation While On Calcium Supplements

Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Calcium’s effect on muscles is to cause them to tighten up, to contract. The colon is one large muscle. When a calcium supplement isn t absorbed it causes the colon to tighten up. Since calcium keeps the colon from relaxing, the colon finds it harder to move stool along. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.