Question

Hi, last week I learned my calcium level was 10.6 mg/dl, my pth level is 49 pg/ml, vitamin d level 29 ng/ml. My doctor wants me to start taking 1000mg of vitamin d. I’m reading that this is dangerous and most likely it’s parathyroid disease/tumor. Could you help me with this? I’ve never taken calcium or vitamin d. I’m 68 years old.

Answer

Deva Boone, MD is the founder of the Southwest Parathyroid Center. As one of the most experienced parathyroid surgeons in the U.S., she has treated thousands of patients with parathyroid conditions.

Thanks for reaching out. I’m glad that you are researching your health condition and taking control of your care.

Your lab results show an elevated calcium level and non-suppressed PTH level, which indicates that you have primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). The relationship between the calcium and PTH is essential here; in the presence of elevated calcium, the PTH should be suppressed if the parathyroids are functioning correctly.

Regarding the recommendation to take 1000mg of Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the intestines. When you have primary hyperparathyroidism, taking Vitamin D is not recommended. Supplementing with Vitamin D can potentially raise the calcium levels further, which isn’t advisable given your already elevated calcium. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, but does not need to be treated until after parathyroid surgery.

The only cure for primary hyperparathyroidism is surgical removal of the overactive parathyroid gland(s), not Vitamin D supplementation.

Diagnosis primary hyperparathyroidism Vitamin D