Hi and a very heart felt welcome to you, SoftFlower. You may not see many posts here because of the week end, so if someone else doesn't show up for a while, that's why.

The vit. D subject is often an opposing set of views, so I will leave that up to someone with much more knowledge of that than I do.

I'm assuming you've read parathyroid.com? It's a wealth of info if you haven't. One or two members have said that he doesn't go into enough info on vit. D, though.

Please stick around, and check back often; like I said sometimes things are a little slower than usual on weekends, etc.

Hi Holly,

Welcome! I just LOVE your avatar! So cute. :-)

From what I understand, patients with secondary hpt caused by chronic kidney disease often have low vitamin d and potassium (due to the effects of the kidney disease on the body). The body attempts to correct this imbalance by overproducing parathyroid hormone -- which causes calcium levels to increase....resulting in high pth/calcium levels....which equals SECONDARY (to the kidney disease) hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hpt is caused by a bad gland or glands -- secondary hpt is caused by the effects of the kidney disease on the body (which causes enlargement (juiciness) of all four glands.

The thought behind supplementing with high doses of vit d is to increase vit d/potassium levels (they are very closely related), which in turn should decrease the amount of pth/calcium your body is producing....thus calming down your over-reactive p-thyroid glands.

Secondary hpt (like yours) can be improved by supplementing with vit d and potassium. Primary hpt cannot be cured by anything but surgery.

Now, I am no expert, by any means. Just someone who has an intense curiosity and enjoys researching in an attempt to find answers. :-)

Parachild is an awesome resource, and can probably cite some medical journal articles that pertain to your situation. She'll probably be around soon!

Blessings to you!

Holly,
Paramom is correct.
Closely monitoring of Vitamin D levels, their are 2 types, often only 1 type is tested. If you live in Canada it maybe difficult to get Vit D testing done as it is rarely done and a mandate to avoid these tests is in place. Advocate for both types of Vitamin D testing.
Bone Density testing should be done especially because it can be made worse by steriod drugs which include inhalers and oral medication for COPD
Are you also seeing a Dietican as kidney function can be effected by diet. Usually calcium is given in the form of calcium carbonate and diet of calcium through milk, eggs and dairy is usually restricted.
Posted below are really good internet resources as they explain the differences in types of hyperparathyroidism, what testing is needed and how it is managed. You can also connect to forums and they have patient support.
Being treated with high doses of Vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia so make sure you are getting blood pressure checked regularily and know the symptoms of hypercalcemia. Do not be on diruetics for high blood pressure their are alternatives, drink lots of water and stay active.
-http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Hyperparathyroidism.htm
-http://hpth.org.uk/hpth.php?id=154
-National Kidney Federation
Good luck and hope this helps.

Thank you all so very very much for your help, it means a lot to me to learn what I can and you all have helped me so much.

I hope your all well and enjoying your day.

Hugs,
Holly

I wonder why the dairy is a no no. Seems to me it would be the most natural calcium. Oh well, live and learn.

Good luck, Softflower, and stick around when you can, ok?

Oh, ever mind - it has something to do with the blood phosphate level.

I have a vit D deficiency and I often think it's the cause or partially to blame for my hyperparathyroidism.

In blood tests, I'm told one vit d is very low and the other doesn't show up at all. I take .25 mcg of calcitriol (rocaltrol) once a day and D 5000 once a day.