Many people do not get the recommended amount of calcium from their diets, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. While taking a calcium supplement can help these individuals meet their calcium requirements, it is possible to take too much. If you are concerned about the potential risks of getting too much calcium, talk to a doctor or pharmacist to determine an amount that is safe for you and your specific situation.
What is Too Much?
Most healthy adults with no known medical conditions should try to stay as close as possible to the recommended dietary allowance of calcium. The recommended dietary allowance for adults between the ages of 19 and 50 is 1,000 mg a day. The recommended dietary allowance for men between 51 and 70 years old is also 1,000 mg a day, but women of this age group have a recommended dietary allowance of 1,200 mg a day. People over 70 years old should also get 1,200 mg a day. While getting slightly more than these amounts should not cause any adverse side effect, you should not exceed the tolerable upper intake level for your gender and age group unless you have permission from a doctor to do so. The tolerable upper intake level is 2,500 mg for adults between the ages of 19 and 50 and 2,000 mg a day for people over the age of 50.
Risks
Constipation is a common adverse reaction to getting too much calcium. Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, confusion, loss of appetite and an irregular heart rhythm may also occur. Although more research needs to be conducted on the issue, it is possible that excessive amounts of calcium may also interfere with your body's ability to absorb certain minerals, especially iron and zinc. An increased risk of kidney stones or prostrate cancer may also occur from taking too much calcium, but research is ongoing for this issue as well. All of these potential risks increase proportionally to the amount of calcium you take, so it is crucial that you never take more than the amount your doctor recommends.
Considerations
Most people will not surpass the tolerable upper intake level through food alone. People who get excessive amounts of this mineral usually take some form of calcium supplements. Older women, who are commonly instructed to use calcium supplements by their doctors, may be at a greater risk than others of getting too much of this mineral, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements. Always talk to your doctor if you have safety concerns regarding your dosage of calcium supplements.
Warning
Calcium supplements may interact with a number of medication. Taking a large amount of calcium may increase the risk of adverse side effects from these interactions. Bisphosphonates, phenytoin, tiludronate disodium, levothyroxine, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, diuretics, antacids, laxatives and glucocorticoids are some medications known to affect the way calcium works in the body. If you are taking any of these medications, or any other medications or supplements on a regular basis, report your usage of them to a doctor before beginning calcium supplements.
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