Vitamin D and Thyroid or Parathyroid

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I recently read this article about the connection to parathyroid, which they say has nothing to do with the thyroid. The parathyroid are 4 small separate glands behind the thyroid. Basically low vitamin D is a sign that your body is putting too much calcium into your blood stream and that is toxic, so your body responds with Vit D to counteract this. Does anyone know if low Vit D is associated with a bad thyroid or is it the parathyroid glands?

http://www.parathyroid.com/low-vitamin-d.htm 

Comments

  • PT6
    PT6 Member Posts: 76
    edited August 2009

    Parathyroid. The parathyroid glands are located in the thyroid gland but are not related in function. The parathyroid glands manage calcium levels. Low vitamin D levels can be caused by problems other than the parathyroid. I have had parathyroid adenomas which were removed but it looks like I have another one.

  • Blundin2005
    Blundin2005 Member Posts: 1,167
    edited August 2009

    Makingway--

    Go to the top of the page...just under the Logout is Search.

    Click on Search

    Keyword type in parathyroid

    User name type in blindedbyscience

    She offered some very good information on this topic over the years. 

  • sam52
    sam52 Member Posts: 950
    edited August 2009

    ...BUT you can have normal vitamin D levels  (and also serum calcium) and still have elevated parathyroid hormone. There seems to be some controversy over the link between vitamin D and elevated PTH.

    My hyperparathyroidism was discovered when I had blood tests because of ever-more severe osteoporosis; I am also taking an AI and was on Fosamax for 3 years.The calcium was elevated initially, but after stopping taking calcium+ vit D supplements, the calcium levels went back to normal.However, the PTH remained high and I am due to have the parathyroid tumor removed next month.

    This subject is very well explained at the following comprehensive website: www.parathyroid.com

    Sam

  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited August 2009

    PT6, when you ahd the parathyroid adenomas did it feel like you had something stuck in your throat?..Or perhaps your throat was swollen?.....Since I have no insurance I can't have it checked but I would like your take on this.....I have low Vitamin D levels and depression and a lot of the symtptoms..I don't want to go to the doctor cause I am afraid they will start thinking I am a hypochomdriac.......Thanks......

  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited August 2009

    Hi hollyann-

     I thought I'd chime in because I just had one of my parathyroid glands removed on Thursday.

     I had no physical symptoms other than osteoporosis. It's not the kind of thing that presents as a swollen throat or soreness. The parathyroids are behind the thyroid, so even a big adenoma would be hidden. You can't feel them at all.

      High calcium and high parathyroid hormone levels are the two markers that point to hyperparathyroidism, or a thyroid tumor. Your vitamin D level is not considered a marker (mine was normal.)

      Please don't worry about what the doctors think- if you have symptoms that bother you, by all means get them checked out. No insurance?  Did you previously have insurance for your breast cancer?  That is a very difficult position to be in.  

  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited August 2009

    PT6- when did you have your adenoma removed, and why do you think you have to do it again? That must be rather discouraging. Frown  Did you have the minimally invasive surgery? 

    I had my surgery last week. It went very well, except that on Saturday my legs started aching like I had growing pains.  I upped my calcium intake and took an Advil, and the next day my legs were fine. So instead of the 2000 mg of calcium and 2000 Iu of vit /d that the surgeon ordered, I'm doubling them.  At least for now, until my body has a chance to adjust to the change. 

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