What happens when parathyroids wake up after total thyroidectomy?

[sweetea_42]

I had total thyroid removed Aug 31/10 due to papillary cancer 1cm. After surgery, I take daily 2K IU's of calcium and 1K mcg's of Vit D3 and thyroid hormone. Then waited for parathyroids to awaken. One week ago (Sept 30/10), blood levels reported good, however, I complained of feeling tired and had brain fog. The Vit D3 was doubled to 2K mcg's per day. Five days later, felt nauseated, two days after that started vomitting. Called Endo who suggested it was stomach flu or gastrointestinal flu. I told him I know what the flu is and I don't have it. Rushed to hospital. Ionized calcium measured at 1.92 mmol/L. Kidneys creatinine doubled to 160 mmol/L (now back down to 88 mmol/L). Blood pressure was extremely high 168/78 and I was dehydrated. Saw Endo today and he believes my parathyroids have awoken which caused blood calcium levels to shoot up to dangerous levels. I thought parathyroid's regulate calcium levels. Is this correct? Or did the endo jsut prescribe too much VitD3 and caused shock to my kidneys? I'm female, 53 years old.

[redheadaussie]

I think your doctor should not have told you to take extra calcium and Vit D to start with. You were probably already high in both prior to surgery. Many doctors now routinely give Caclium and Vit D on the presumption the parathyroids may be injured in surgery. This is common but not always correct.

You may not have needed the Vit D which added to the calcium supplement has actually caused more problems.
Do you take anything else? If you take a blood pressure tablet this can cause the calcium levels to rocket to crazy levels and you may well vomit!

Your brain fog may be that your thyroid levels are not right yet from the surgery. What dose do you take? What blood tests have you had so far for the thyroid function?

go to parathyroid.com to learn more

[Smilerdeb]

Looks like toxicity with Calcium and D3,
Why did he increase D3 and Calcium without labs?

Many dont know but Vitamins can also be TOXIC when taken in large doses that the body doesnt need.
Also D3 helps Calcium absorb better...he shouldve known this.

Hence the Multi Calcium/D3 vitamin that manuafacturers make.
I take a Calcium/D3 combined but only one a day (calcium 600 & Vit. D 400)