Articles · Kidney stones
Should you take calcium supplements if you've had kidney stones?
Calcium from food is usually preferred.
Food first
Calcium from food is usually preferred.
About supplements
Supplements may raise stone risk for some people, especially if taken without meals. If you need a supplement for bone health, taking it with food may help. Don't stop a supplement without guidance.
Urine testing
A 24-hour urine test can show what's right for you.
Bring it to a visit
If you've had stones and take calcium or vitamin D, review it at a visit.
Book a visit with Advanced Urology today.
Questions to bring to your visit
- Which supplements do I take, and do I take them with meals?
- Would a 24-hour urine test help in my case?
What happens at your visit with us?
Bring the bottles, or a list, of every supplement you take, including calcium, vitamin D and multivitamins. Our urologists may ask you to collect your urine over a full day and have some blood drawn, tests that can point to causes such as a parathyroid problem.
When should I call us?
Call us if you have had more than one stone, if stones run in your family, or if you were told to take calcium and worry about your kidneys. A prevention visit can include a review of fluids, diet and medicines and, when it would help, urine or blood tests in this building. Stone pain with fever, vomiting or inability to urinate belongs in an emergency room.
How do our urologists approach this?
Our urologists look for the reason each stone formed. Diet, fluids, salt and certain health conditions all play a part, and stone analysis or urine testing often shows which changes are worth making for you.
Our urologists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners see adults from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Crabapple and Mountain Park at our Alpharetta / Roswell office.
Related video
Dr. Rut Patel of our Alpharetta / Roswell team talks about kidney stone disease:
Related reading from our team
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy or Ureteroscopy?
- Ureteroscopy With Laser for Kidney Stones
- When Will I Get My CT Scan Results?
Related care: kidney stone care at our Alpharetta / Roswell office.
Read more from Advanced Urology: Kidney stone prevention: diet changes · Kidney stones
For education, not medical advice. Every treatment has risks and benefits. Emergency? Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Whenever you’re ready, our Alpharetta / Roswell team would be glad to hear from you.