Started the Vitamin D3 Regimen. PTH came in higher than baseline after 30 days. What's going on?

[sunghan]

First time poster. Long time sufferer of Cluster Headaches.

I decided to start the D3 regimen in early March, and I'm so glad I did. Like many of you here, I've had some great results. My current cycle started on March 27, but the intensity is greatly reduced, and for the first time in my life, my cluster headaches feel manageable. Simply amazing.

However, I have some questions regarding my lab work. I tried explaining the D3 Regimen to my doctor, but he didn't really seem to care. I asked for the blood work, and he said ok. Felt somewhat dismissive. Anyways, here are the baseline results and the results 30 days after starting.

Vitamin D3: 22 ng/ml -> 127 ng/ml

Calcium: 10 mg/dl -> 9.8 mg/dl

PTH: 46 pg/ml -> 55 pg/ml

From what I understand of the regimen, my PTH should be dropping, right? But instead it has increased over baseline. What would be the reason for this? And any concerns I should have? BTW I am a 200lb male. Is 127 ng/ml D3 anything to be concerned about?

[Craigo]

Not a doctor, not medical advice. First, celebrate the win, it’s great to hear you have found it has reduced the intensity of the attacks, hopefully the cycle is short lived. 

You are correct in principle. With rising 25(OH)D, PTH trends downward due to improved calcium homeostasis however a couple thoughts for you and your lab values. 

1. PTH is not a static marker and fluctuates based on circadian rhythm, dietary calcium intake, hydration status, assay variability and even lab timing. I would think a shift from 46 to 55 is fairly small and within normal variability.

2. If dietary calcium is inconsistent or on the lower side, PTH may rise slightly to maintain serum calcium, even in the presence of higher levels of vitamin D.

Are you taking a men’s multi with calcium? 

Any of the doctors at my clinic don’t know much about vitamin D3 apart from that it’s important - they will order the lab tests for me, even right a script for subsidized D3 capsules but I understand they can’t get on board given it isn’t in their practice guidelines. 

I wouldn’t worry too much about your level, my own would be slightly higher having taken a loading dose with a baseline of 78ng/mL of 800,000iu and anticipate hovering around this level for a wee bit longer (I think I am one week or so out of this unexpected cycle that started mid-March having added MM this time round with success, it seems). Look after your kidneys, hydrate well and ensure you are taking the adequate amount magnesium (often times people miss to get the required magnesium dose often requires 3x capsules per day). 

Hope it helps, just my 2 cents. PFW - hope cycle ends soon mate.

Craig.