High Calcium, Normal PTH, Low Vitamin D
I'm in my mid-40s, surgically menopausal since 2005 (HRT from 2003-2005 but told to stop HRT after 2 FNH tumors resected from liver). Have suffered chronic fatigue, weight gain (40 lbs) & inability to lose despite diets, programs, supplements, exercise, etc. Hypothyroid since 2000, been on Synthroid w/TSH & FT4 labs WNL. Also diagnosed w/narcolepsy last year (no cataplexy) & doing ok on meds for the EDS. Overall, just feel bad most of the time.
Retired from the military a few years ago so I got different docs all the time, none ever really wanted to look at the bigger picture; finding that same mentality now, unfortunately. Calcium has been elevated for a while (10.3/2003, high-9's/2005, 10.6/2009, 9.7/May 2010 & 10.8/Sep 2010) but of no apparent concern. Primary doc (since 2009) mentioned elevation & just wanted to "watch" it, but after reading Parathyroid.com I asked for a PTH - they did one and said it was around 65 (normal?).
I'd also asked for referral to a sleep doc who is known for outside-the-box thyroid treatment; he changed me from Synthroid to Armour (1 week ago) & ordered complete thyroid labs. He left message 2 days ago saying thyroid numbers were ok but Vitamin D was low (29). He told me to take 4000 IUs per day and we'd check labs in a few months, hoping to get it to 50. Next appt isn't until mid-Dec but I will have to call in about 2 weeks if I want refill on Armour. I already take two Caltrate-D 600s per day (have for 2+ yrs), get plenty of sun, drink/eat dairy products & even eat fortified cereal about once a week.
What I read on Parathyroid.com & this site now has me scared to take so much Vit D, especially without labs being checked, but I don't know how to "force the issue" since my prim doc thinks all is well & didn't even want to give referral to thyroid doc - he mentioned (before recent labs) that elevated calcium wasn't necessarily a problem as there is a formula with albumin (avg 4.6 for 11 tests since 2004) & protein (avg 8 for 11 tests since 2004) - but didn't tell me formula or how it applies to me (all I find online is for vets/animals!).
I think if I push this, these 2 docs (and even my own family) are going to make me feel even more like a hypochondriac. I just don't know what to do! I live near cities w/parathyroid docs, but I would need either a referral or my husband's support to pay out-of-pocket to see someone...what should I do? Thanks in advance for your help!
- Christy