Re: Question for TEI Individuals

I know - i even find the parathyroid mechanism confusing at times, i blame it on the brain fog!

Supplementing with either D or Calcium would really skew the true results of how the parathyroids are functioning. it is very difficult to say that high this means low that - these levels can only *suggest* a possible causation. It's best not to be supplementing any calcium while doing a calcium blood test...good that you've been off it for a while for these recent test results. If it is high and you have been off calcium supplements then look to your parathyroids for hyperfunctioning.

If you're not supplementing calcium and you have high blood calcium - even just a little bit elevated - that does suggest strongly a parathyroid connection.

Low Vit D will affect calcium levels as Vit D enables calcium to be absorbed from the diet. So sometimes the reason for the low calcium is just a need for Vit D. However the parathyroid glands sense that calcium is low in the blood and will rob it from the bones instead...leading to bone strength issues.
If you have low blood calcium then the parathyroids aren't doing their job of robbing it from the bones (in the absence of Vit D)...and suggests hypoparathyroidism.
High calcium levels suggest an enlarged parathyroid gland tumour as it is constantly sending out parathyroid hormone...asking the body for more calcium in the blood...so blood levels hike up. That is HYPERparathyroidism.

Luckily there are 4 parathyroid glands and if one is 'hyper' state of constantly secreting hormone, that one gland can be removed leaving 3 healthy ones to continue working as normal.

This site is worth absorbing a few times to get a handle on the calcium, Vit D, parathyroids:

http://parathyroid.com/parathyroid-function.htm



Parathyroids are mostly forgotten about yet as they are so intrinsically linked to calcium levels - and that calcium is absolutely essential for the brain, nerves, muscles...having a calcium level rock around up and down, creates havoc and far-reaching effects.

Most doctors who discover low calcium just give calcium supplements, without checking parathyroid function or Vit D levels.

My hair calcium was slightly elevated. I'm yet to find out what blood values are.
Let us know what your blood calcium results come back as. Tweet