Severe Vitamin D Deficirncy

[Calicorizzo]

I posted here earlier about my hight PTH (158) and normal calcium.

My Sestamibi scan was, of course, normal.

When my PCP called with results he said he would send me to endocrinologist. I told him my research showed it could be a Vitamin D deficiency and asked if we could check it.

I got the results today and it shows I have a severe deficiency. Here are my levels:

25-Hydroxy D2: <4; 25-Hydroxy D3: 5; TOTAL 25-HYDROXY D (D2 + D3): <6
YiKES!

Also my Vitamin D 1,25 was 44 (normal is 18-78). I know that it goes up as the other level goes down.

My trusted PCP is out for a out a month due to surgery. The NP called me and said he ordered 50,000 Iu of vitamin D for me to take once a week for 6 weeks and then we'd recheck it. My concern is that it is so very low. I want to know why it is that low and am I being prescribed an appropriate amount of replacement.

Do I need to try to get in to an endocrinologist? Is this an urgent issue? How medically significant are the levels.

I'm very concerned!

[Lori707]

You're not the only one that told me to test for Celiac! But I can't get any of my doctors to give me the test! ??  

[beata6]

Have any of you been tested for Celiac (allergic to glutens)  it depleates vit D and goes hand in hand with thyroid issues ...autoimmune conditions run in pairs..I recently found out I have Celiac explains a host of wierd symptoms  that I always thought were my thyroid condition

[kl42]

might help 15 minutes a day of sun plus vitamin d supplements . my levels went from 20 to 45 in  a couple of months.

[Lori707]

I have very low Vit D. Endocronologist gave me 50,000 IU of D2 once weekly and 2,000IU D3 daily with calcium. I had high PTH (parathyroidism) and High Calcium which came dowm when my D was low. Now I'm on 5,000IU D3 daily with calcium and my Vit.D is still on the low side. My serum calcium is normal now but as my D increases slightly, my PTH goes High which it is now. Two months ago my thyroid tests were normal. Now the Thyroxine (T4) is a bit low and the Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab is okay. But my Antithyroglobulin Ab is VERY high at 483. normal is 0-40. Don't know what's happening to me.
Do you have any idea?
Thanks

[KSJW]

Thanks for your response! I have an appointment with an endo on April 5.

I've had a odd symptom that's been getting worse over the last 3-4 days--my gag reflex has been super sensitive. I have a removable upper bridge and I've had to take it out because it gags me. Sometimes when I swallow I gag. Could that be related to low calcium?

Thanks,
Karen

[redheadaussie]

It would be interesting to see your calcium levels, as that is the major factor when low on Vit D. It could be that your parathyroid glands are not behaving correctly., Often with Vit D supplementation they seem to kick back in, and things settle down.
  Your dose, whilst it might seem extreme is actually a good one to be on for the moment. You would have to take that much for over 6 months for it to be toxic!
   I too, was low on Vit D and no one can explain it. It seems one of those weird things that many thyroid patients have! I take 2,000 iu a day and my levels are pretty good. My calcium which was very low has increased (the Vit D helps the body absorb calcium through the gut) My Parathyroid levels have started to climb slightly, 2 1/2 years after total thryoidectomy.
So no need to panic. Only if you start getting really bad symptoms like severe cramping, tingling in lips or hands etc, then you should see a doctor immediately. This is not a good thing! Calcium can drop within days, so just because you got 'normal' doesn't mean you might not still need a supplement!
Cheers!