Your thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating the amount of phosphorus and calcium in your blood. A vitamin deficiency may contribute to thyroid problems and require vitamin supplementation. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can interact with certain medications, making it important to talk to your doctor before taking supplemental doses of this vitamin.
Vitamin D
Adequate exposure to sunlight allows your body to manufacture vitamin D. Some foods, such as fatty fish, eggs and cod liver oil, contain vitamin D. Fortified milk and dairy products also supply your body with this important vitamin. Most adults require 400 IU daily. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus into your bones. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D supplements can interact with calcium channel blockers, statin drugs, digoxin and corticosteroids, altering the levels of these medications in your body.
Deficiency Symptoms
Inadequate amounts of vitamin D may cause your body to draw calcium from the bones to increase the amount of this mineral in your blood supply. This can lead to hyperparathyroidism, a condition involving inadequate amounts of calcium in your bones. Insufficient amounts of vitamin D also cause a condition known as osteomalacia. This bone condition causes symptoms that involve pain in the muscles and bones of your legs, spine and pelvis. Weakening and softening of the bones may result in difficulty walking and fractures. Children with vitamin D deficiencies may experience abnormal growth of the skull, spine and legs.
Thyroid
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing a hormone known as parathyroid, a substance that helps support the health and strength of your bones. Thyroid problems can affect the production of this hormone and alter the amount of calcium available for absorption into the bones. Grave's disease, goiter, toxic adenoma and hyperparathyroidism are conditions that involve the thyroid and may require surgery or medical treatment. People with thyroid conditions, as well as those who receive surgery for thyroid problems, may require calcium and vitamin D supplementation to protect bone health.
Considerations
Contact your doctor if you think you may have a thyroid problem or vitamin D deficiency. While supplements may help a vitamin D deficiency, too much of this vitamin can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, an increase in blood pressure and nervousness. A prolonged toxicity can damage your kidneys and cause calcium deposits in your organs and blood vessels. Thyroid problems can cause a range of symptoms, such as seizures, muscle spasms, hair loss, headaches, vomiting and tingling in the fingers and around the mouth. Blood tests can help confirm the presence of vitamin deficiencies and thyroid problems.
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