Re: vitamin D and sarcoidosis
first, I should let you know I have the classical symptoms of Chronic Fatigue. only thing that showed up in the test were heavy metals(which I have chelated) and low vitamin d. my vitamin d3 levels were as about 10 the last time I checked and my calcium levels, which has been tested a few times, were all borderline high. My PTH was low normal at 17.9 ruling out hyperparathryoidism. that leaves me with just vitamin D deficiency. problem is everything I read basically says that anyone with borderline/high calcium levels should not supplement with vitamin d3 since it can cause an increase in calcium levels. is that true??
Yes and no. It is not that simple. Vitamin D is one nutrient that does help with calcium absorption. Although low vitamin D levels can actually raise serum calcium as well by contributing to parathyroid tumors. This in turn increases parathyroid hormone release, which breaks down the bones increasing serum calcium. There is a feedback mechanism though. When the serum calcium levels are high this can suppress the parathyroids reducing parathyroid hormone levels. And parathyroid tumors are not the only thing that can increase parathyroid hormone. A person can also develop a more temporary rise in parathyroid hormone and thus elevated serum calcium when pseudohyperparathyroidism exists. This is most often seen with the over consumption of high phosphorus sources such as colas, dairy, red meats, lecithin, grains, etc. The excess phosphorus consumption creates a calcium/phosphorus ratio imbalance, which is perceived by the body as low calcium even though true calcium levels may be normal or even high. In response the parathyroid glands release parathyroid hormone in order to release bone calcium to balance out the calcium/phosphorus ratio.
There are other causes of high serum calcium with normal parathyroid hormone levels including some medications, hyperthyroidism, malignancies, etc. So the doctor should not simply dismiss the elevated calcium levels, and should run other tests and get a history to determine the cause.
In addition, vitamin D is not the only calcium absorption enhancer. Stomach acid and the intestinal flora also play big roles as well as some fibers such as fructooligosaccharides. Even more important though is silica. Silica not only increases calcium absorption, but it is also is responsible for calcium going where it is supposed to go.
now reason I titled this vitamin d and sarcoidosis
is because one doctor mentioned it to me recently as a possibility. If I were to have this, would it be wise to supplement with vitamin d3? as I have heard there are some contradictions with the two.
Because sarcoidosis can lead to hypercalcemia by the macrophages converting vitamin D in to its active form I agree that vitamin D should not be supplemented if this is actually from sarcoidosis. Again though there are other causes of elevated serum calcium with normal parathyroid hormone levels. So the doctor really needs to do more tests and get a complete history as well as look at all symptoms.
I dont know if I have this but I do have(according to doctor's who've felt them) some cyst-like or maybe pea size lymph nodes under the skin mainly on the bones..some sharp, some smooth. maybe 4 or 5 of them total in places such as on the bone behind my ear, collarbone and chest bone. I have had these for as long as I can remember..way before developing symptoms of Chronic Fatigue. what does this sound like..calcium deposits? cancer maybe? sarcoidosis? cysts? or bone spurs??
These could be several things including swollen lymph nodes, cysts or spurs. Among the other things that need to be done is a blood test also checking for white blood cell counts, ACE and phosphorus levels and X-rays, in particular of the lung area.