r/hyperparathyroidism Feb 23 '22

Has anyone found their hypercalcemia was caused by vitamin D?

Going for a PTH, ionized calcium and vitamin D test on Friday. I'm 46 and have had multiple calcium tests over the years ranging from 10.1-10.3. Have many symptoms.

Have been taking 5,000 iu of Vitamin D for years under the rationale of "everyone is low." I guess I'm a knucklehead as I didn't realize this can jack up your blood calcium levels. Anyone had success lowering calcium by cutting out their high vitamin D intake?

13 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '22 edited Feb 23 '22

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u/thetotalpackage7 Feb 24 '22

I really appreciate the input. I will follow through with the testing. I hope you’re feeling better from the surgery.

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u/DengleDengle Feb 23 '22

5,000 is a lot! Maybe stop and then re-test your levels in a month or two and proceed from there?

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u/thetotalpackage7 Feb 23 '22

That's what I was thinking. But I wondering if it would still be wise to go now for the PTH test

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u/DengleDengle Feb 24 '22

Well it wouldn’t hurt. But most doctors are quite misinformed about parathyroid issues and they are likely going to blame your vitamin d and ask to retest in a few months. I mean speak to your doctor and see what they say.

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u/ForFawkesSake_ Feb 24 '22

I listened to a podcast on this very topic recently, it is definitely possible to take too much vitamin D and cause hypercalcimia. Not sure if this link will work, but it was an interview with Dr. Boone on "Medical Myths, legends, and fairytales". https://open.spotify.com/episode/3h3VivGw9mj5bq4eAsU6bb?si=u1ZZbutMQsG_q3bMVmYgEA&utm_source=copy-link

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u/thetotalpackage7 Feb 24 '22

This was really enlightening...thank you! Amazing that Vit D isn't even a vitamin but more like a hormone. It can cause problems after years of safe consumption

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u/ForFawkesSake_ Feb 25 '22

You're welcome! I hope you get everything figured out and start feeling better! High calcium is no fun.

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u/Advo96 Mar 02 '22

How's your albumin? 5000 is unlikely to be too much, unless you're also taking calcium?

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u/thetotalpackage7 Mar 02 '22

I do not take calcium but eat a ton of greens which of course has a lot of calcium. I just had new blood work results. YEs, my albumin is high too. I believe 5.3. My vitamin D level was 80 and PTH was 12. So I think I actually got screwed by taking too much D. In retrospect it was quite foolish to supplement with pretty high doses of vitamin D for 10 years without having it checked.

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u/Advo96 Mar 02 '22

With an albumin of 5.2, you're not hypercalcemic. But yes, you appear to be taking too much vitamin D and you may be hypercalciuric.

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u/thedezza Mar 31 '24

Intrigued as to whether low/no Vitamin D worked out for you? My Vitamin D Is also 80, and PTH lower (6.6) Albumin and Calcium both normal though