Should I follow my doctor's advice?

[QuestioningLabs]

I've had depression, anxiety, and lots of bone and joint pain for years. My psych started me on Liothyronine and Clonazepam (Low dosage. As needed) for worsening anxiety, beyond what I already take. He also had me start taking Calcium supplements with Vitamin D. I developed peeling nails and reddened, sore cuticles within about a month. My GP ran some tests, and put me on one pill with 50,000U of ergocalciferol per week, and I'm feeling more achy, nauseous, foggy brained, and unwell than before. Test levels were: vitamin D (25 Hydroxy) 22, Calcium 10.8, Albumin 4.9, Ionized Calcium 1.29, PTH intact  62. My GP also wants me to take 1200 of calcium per day, but I'm not sure that's the right thing to do. Should I continue with the ergocalciferol and take the Calcium? Or do you recommend seeing someone else?

[Red_Star]

Your calcium is too high. Adults do not have persistent calcium levels above 10.1.  High calcium is almost always due to parathyroid disease.  When calcium is high, the body will start to decrease the amount of calcium that is absorbed from the intestines by decreasing the amount of Vitamin D available. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption. Depression, anxiety, bone and joint pain, brain fog, nausea and not feeling well are all noted symptoms of parathyroid disease.

Excerpt from the parathyoid website:

Patient 7 - calcium serum: 10.9, PTH: 50, Parathyroid disease: Yes, Operation: Yes

Patient 8 - calcium serum: 11.4, PTH: 41, Parathyroid disease: Yes, Operation: Yes

Patients 7 and 8 also have hyperparathyroidism and they also have a parathyroid tumor making too much hormone. These patients are more difficult for the average doctor to diagnose, because the doctor will say "it can't be hyperparathyroidism because your PTH level is normal". This is a very serious mistake.

If the parathyroid glands were NORMAL (no tumor present) then the high calcium would make the normal parathyroid glands go to sleep and the PTH levels would be between very low (say, between 5 and 8). At least 20% of ALL patients with hyperparathyroidism are NOT DIAGNOSED appropriately because their doctor does not understand this.

[ducky406]

Have you gotten your thyroid tested recently? It's just many of the symptoms you describe sound like symptoms I felt from a wonky thyroid. If you haven't had it tested in a while I strongly suggest getting it tested again. Make sure you ask for free T3 and T4 as well as the standard TSH test as they tend to be a bit more accurate in telling you what the thyroid is doing.

That being said, supplements can have side effects like any drugs. Perhaps you're reacting to the supplement you're taking? Have you told your dr about all these symptoms? If you have, you really should see someone else. This doesn't sound right and I'm sure it feels lousy too, so its worth getting a second opinion.

[babaabee]

i recommend you speak to another professional it doesnt hurt to get a 2nd opinion :)