Why is Vitamin D significant?

What are they looking for, or what do they think I have, and why is my vitamin D low?

• "I have hashimotos, my doctor had tests done and put me on vitamin D I assume the 50,000 is a standard dose (which was moderately low), but my doctors office called and said that my calcium is fine but that my kidneys are functioning high. They said my calcium was fine to but when they sent me in for a second set of tests and when I asked what they were for (my dr. office wasn't willing to give me any idea why even after I asked) she said it was for high calcium. I have hashimotos, I am also on a bloodpressure medication because I am retaining water, have joint swelling and breathing is so difficult I feel like I'm drowning ( this medication is no longer helping me to breathe like it was btw), and I am on a hormone replacement. I'm 36."I feel like my questions are being avoided. No one will explain the extra tests either. I had a free T4, TSH, cortical, and a bmp. I don't know what the additional tests were for. I do know one was a retest. And now a CMB.

• Answer:

  Hashimoto's is a thyroid disorder unrelated to Vitamin D. It sounds as if your thyrotropin (TSH) was normal and you do not mention taking levothyroxine. This implies that the thyroid disorder is not an issue at this time. Thyroid disorders may lead to swelling but not joint swelling. Thyroid disorders do not effect breathing. Vitamin D levels in the US have been declining for 20 years. No one knows why but most physicians assume that it is due to the fact that we do not spend as much time outdoors. Your dosage of 50,000 International Units tells me that you are taking ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2). Calcium is not related to thyroid disorders or hypo-vitaminosis D and you calcium was normal. You had a cortisol level done but it is not clear why. A BMP is a basic metabolic profile and a CMP is a comprehensive metabolic profile. A CMP includes more tests than a BMP. Retaining water, joint swelling, and difficulty breathing raise serious concerns. It is essential that you 'push' your physician to find the diagnosis in order to define the treatment. If your physician is not willing to do so then a second opinion is in order. I feel very strongly that if you or your insurance company is paying for physician visits and laboratory testing that you have an absolute right to know why the tests were done and what the results mean. Again - if your physician is not able to answer your questions and diagnose your symptoms then your physician should refer you to another physician. I am sorry but no one in this forum will be able to offer you a diagnosis. If I may be of further assistance please let me know. I wish you the very best of health and in all things may God bless.