Category: Vitamin D
Types of HyperParathyroidism
February 20, 2026 4:05 pm
There are 4 parathyroid glands which are located behind the thyroid gland, among other functions, are the main regulators of calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium in the blood. Elevations of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism) can be: 1-Primary, 2-Secondary, 3-Tertiary
Primary hyperparathyroidism means the parathyroid glands themselves are hyperactive. This may involve only one of the four glands: a) an adenoma, a benign tumor that needs surgical removal, or b) hyperplasia, when all 4 glands are hyperactive and/or enlarged, and in some cases, most of the 4 glands need to be removed.
Secondary hyperparathyroidism means that the elevated PTH level is caused by an external regulatory stimulus, such as low calcium, which itself may be due to low vitamin D, low calcium intake, or other causes.
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is seen only in specific renal failure and transplant patients.
Regardless of the type of hyperparathyroidism, the end result is the same. Because the parathyroid gland aims to maintain normal calcium levels, it will do everything to achieve them. This includes increasing calcium absorption from the GI tract, breaking down bone to increase the blood calcium supply, and increasing calcium reabsorption from the urine.
Distinguishing between primary and secondary is critical, as primary is more likely than not a surgical problem that needs to be addressed. Secondly, it may be responding to metabolic deficiencies (low CA, low Vitamin D) that need to be corrected and take some time.
Not all cases require surgical intervention, as labs (vitamin D, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase) and imaging studies, such as neck ultrasound, CT scan, and Sestamibi scan, provide the information needed to dictate the treatment plan. Please stay up to date with your yearly lab results to catch changes sooner rather than later.
Vitamin D level and Liver Function Test (LFT) elevation
February 08, 2026 11:21 am
After weight-loss surgery, some patients may experience a transient elevation in liver function tests that resolves over time. We have previously reported on this. IT is essential to distinguish between the Duodenal switch and the SIPS/SADI procedure, where some patients are led to believe they are identical. These procedures differ physiologically, and their weight loss and metabolic behaviours vary significantly.
Other than the stress of the weight loss, obesity, and comorbidities of obesity, there may be other anatomical post-surgical causes for elevated liver function test. This has also been discussed extensively.
A recent literature review supports the protective effects of vitamin D supplementation.
Elevated liver enzymes may be caused by many factors, including nutritional deficiencies, excessive supplementation (turmeric), medications, alcohol, adhesions causing partial bowel obstruction, and increased enterohepatic bile reabsorption . I would be very cautious about associating vitamin D supplementation with elevated liver function test results, even if the vitamin D level is in the very high normal range, regardless of the daily dose (much less frequent with injectable).
Vitamin D, as a fat-soluble vitamin, however, protects the liver and improves liver function test even in very high serum level . In rare cases, prolonged, elevated vitamin D levels may strain the liver. In Fact, the association of the vitamin D level and liver disease, including cirrhosis, leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dea h. Vitamin D protects the liver from HCC but cannot reduce the risk of cirrhosis.
Vitamin Toxicity
December 17, 2024 1:36 pm
Patients are frequently asked to explain why they take high fat- or water-soluble vitamin doses. They are have often been scared by their well meaning healthcare providers that their higher levels of vitamin supplements will end up with vitamin toxicity.
Let’s clarify one point: there is such a thing as too much vitamin.
However, the point that is often overlooked in teaching within professional schools (medical, nursing, pharmacy, etc.) and drug manufacturers is that recommendations are based on “how much to take” and not how much is needed to keep a patient’s blood level in the normal range.
This table highlights how toxicity is described and what requirements are recommended. Vitamin toxicity is seen rarely in post-weight loss surgical patients who take them proactively in as many doses as needed to get their blood levels in the normal range. I see more patients in the office who suffer from low vitamin levels, such as vitamin D and A levels (duodenal switch and sleeve), than any patient with high or toxic levels of any vitamins.
Here is an example of critical vitamin A deficiency and night blindness and how, with aggressive large-dose supplementation, her condition was corrected.
Oral Vitmain D
September 24, 2021 3:42 pm
Over the Counter Vitmain D3 better than the Prescription Vitamin D2
August 30, 2021 10:41 am
COVID Vaccines
March 05, 2021 3:50 pm
There are no known contraindications from a weight-loss surgical perspective to prevent a post-surgical patient from getting the COVID vaccines.
A patient who has had a Duodenal Switch, Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy, RNY Gastric Bypass, or revisions to Weight Loss Surgery should have the COVID vaccine. The vaccination should be avoided for a few weeks after surgery. For other possible contraindications, please consult your PCP.
Here is a summary of the vaccines and the details of each one approved as of the publication date.
Vitamin D, Immune Responce and COVID-19
January 26, 2021 6:45 pm
Vitamin D and COVID 19
June 13, 2020 4:40 pm
There has been extensive discussion on the importance of Vitamin D published over the last few years in regards to bone health, immune health and Calcium physiology. The importance of vitmain D and bone structure has been discussed extensively. It is also important in the absorption of Calcium. It further plays role in immune modulation.
What is new is the possible correlation of Vitamin D and COVID 19. Recently it is been shown that low vitamin D may increase the risk of a poor outcome with Covid-19 exposure and infection.
There are different standard recommendation for the Vitamin D levels.
In our practice we aim to maintain a Vitamin D level of 0ver 60 in post weight loss surgical patients.
There are a number of theories as to how the Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in this. An emerging observation is that low Vitamin D may cause abnormal and excessive blood clot formation. Mohammad et. al. in 2019 published a study on the association of low vitamin D and “…Pathogenesis of Thrombosis”
This pathologic blood clot formation in COVID-19 patients may explain the extensive lung injury and multi system organ failure in some patient. It is also one of the reason that some COVID-19 patients have loss limbs or appendages.
Please follow all supplement recommendations based on your laboratory studies and all COVID-19 recommendations. We would recommend frequent hand washing, surface cleaning, social distancing, and wearing face masks as the most basic precautions and increase precautions based on your health status.
Vitamin D and Covid -19
May 07, 2020 9:24 am
We are all aware of the many roles that Vitamin D plays in our bodies. This includes immune function in addition to all the regulatory roles that Vitamin D plays in several physiologic reactions. There may be a correlation of low Vitamin D and COVID-19 infection increasing death risk as looked at in research articles.
Covid -19 in a subset of patience causes significant lung injury. These patients require mechanical ventilation.
Previously reported publications have suggested a possible correlation between ace inhibitors and increased risk of pulmonary complications of Covid -19. Some researchers suspect that the Covid-19 may be able to enter lung cells by the ACE receptors.
Vitamin D may positively implact the receptor ACE2. This study, report clear correlation between the high death rate with low vitamin D levels in Covid infected patients. There are limitation to this study that the attached abstract outlines.
Our take home message would be to please make sure you have updated labs and that you are all taking the recommended Vitamin D based on your surgical anatomy and laboratory values, not just an average non-bariatric person recommended dose.
https://www.dssurgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/manuscript.pdf