Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
It's widely reported that high calcium intake to combat osteoporosis retards iron and magnesium intake. You can't take high doses of calcium (read: HIGH) and expect not to become deficient in iron and magnesium in the long run. It's especialy true in the long run and of older people.
I'm tested for iron deficiency yearly but since I don't get my period so I don't lose iron each month. Also since I'm not anemic, I haven't modified my diet to include more iron. Red meat is not a trigger for me, luckily!!
I don't know what magnesium deficiency looks like. I supposed it's tested for in a standard blood panel. I take the calcium because I'm lactose intonerant, on depo, and mostly because it's constipating.