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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
confused by test and symptoms
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
confused by test and symptoms
by gogog, Jun 23, 2009 12:31PM
dr. lupo, 40yo, F. have complained of fatigue/weight gain for 4 yrs. dr. has checked thyroid levels. have been normal. i continued to seek a reason for symptoms. in march, low vitD levels (17) were found by endo. began taking 3,000iu of a vitD daily. two months later, vitD level increased to 28. endo suggested i start a calcium pill to boost D absorption. started taking calcium with vitD - increasing daily vitD totals to about 4,000iu and calcium to 1,000mg.
i started to feel poorly almost immediately (didn’t make the connection right away). symptoms were neurological (numbness, tingling, pins/needles, headaches, ocular migraines); believe now they were due to low B levels (330) (went away with B supplements). before i started the Bvitamins , visited my pcp about neurological symptoms. blood test revealed 10.7 calcium level . this concerned me, so i had more blood work with endo 2 weeks later. meanwhile, i made the decision to decrease my daily vitD supplementation to 2,500iu and my calcium supplementation to a 450mg. The follow-up test revealed that calcium level dropped to 9.6. pth level was 11.8.
endo said considering my low vitD levels, i was not taking too much vitD and should continue taking the additional calcium pill. this doesn't make sense to me. afraid that if i start taking the calcium supplement again, my CA levels will increase again(last three years, CA between 9.3 and 10.7). also worried that high vitD supplementation will also increase CA levels (trying to get more sun). so confused. still no reason for original symptoms.
could the increased vitD and/or calcium supplementation have increased my calcium level? i've read "yes" and "no". should i continue with calcium supplements? lower the dosage of my vitamin d supplement? is hyperparathyroidism still a consideration with my low pth #? should i be concerned and explore other explanations for the high calcium reading? other suggestions? what now? THANK YOU!
i started to feel poorly almost immediately (didn’t make the connection right away). symptoms were neurological (numbness, tingling, pins/needles, headaches, ocular migraines); believe now they were due to low B levels (330) (went away with B supplements). before i started the Bvitamins , visited my pcp about neurological symptoms. blood test revealed 10.7 calcium level . this concerned me, so i had more blood work with endo 2 weeks later. meanwhile, i made the decision to decrease my daily vitD supplementation to 2,500iu and my calcium supplementation to a 450mg. The follow-up test revealed that calcium level dropped to 9.6. pth level was 11.8.
endo said considering my low vitD levels, i was not taking too much vitD and should continue taking the additional calcium pill. this doesn't make sense to me. afraid that if i start taking the calcium supplement again, my CA levels will increase again(last three years, CA between 9.3 and 10.7). also worried that high vitD supplementation will also increase CA levels (trying to get more sun). so confused. still no reason for original symptoms.
could the increased vitD and/or calcium supplementation have increased my calcium level? i've read "yes" and "no". should i continue with calcium supplements? lower the dosage of my vitamin d supplement? is hyperparathyroidism still a consideration with my low pth #? should i be concerned and explore other explanations for the high calcium reading? other suggestions? what now? THANK YOU!
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jun 23, 2009 08:45PM
, Jun 23, 2009 08:45PM
The PTH was appropriately low in the setting of high/fluctuating calcium -- so this is not likely hyperparathyroidism.
I cannot give specific advice regarding dosing, would follow the endocrinologist's recommendations and followup closely.
I cannot give specific advice regarding dosing, would follow the endocrinologist's recommendations and followup closely.
