This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Absorption (calcium)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Dietary calcium is absorbed in the duodenum and upper jejunum. The main stimulus is active vitamin D as 1,25-dihydrocholecalciferol. This promotes the synthesis of three key products within the mucosal cells which in turn causes absorption:

  • calcium ATPase
  • calcium binding protein
  • alkaline phosphatase

Growth hormone increases absorption with less potency than vitamin D. Glucocorticoids have an antagonistic effect.

Calcium must be in an ionized form for absorption and as such, absorption is retarded in the presence of:

  • increased duodenal alkalinity e.g. after vagotomy
  • the presence of chelating agents within the lumen e.g.:
    • phytates
    • phosphates
    • oxalates

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.