How to Lower PTH Levels Naturally

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High Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) levels, called hyperparathyroidism, may affect the levels of calcium in your body because PTH is the hormone that regulates calcium. While having high PTH levels might sound scary, you have treatment options to help you. [1] While primary hyperparathyroidism may require surgery, you may be able to lower your PTH naturally, particularly if it’s caused by kidney issues. However, see your doctor if you’re having symptoms of hyperthyroidism, to treat your underlying condition, and to check your vitamin D levels.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Changing Your Diet for High PTH Levels from Kidney Issues

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  1. If you have high PTH levels from kidney disease or failure, lowering your phosphate intake in your diet can help control your PTH levels. However, it's important to discuss a specialized diet with a nutritionist, as your dietary needs may be different from another person with this disease. [2]
    • Foods that are high in phosphates include yogurt, soy milk, milk, enriched rice milk, ice cream, processed and hard cheeses, ricotta and cottage cheese, quick breads, lentils, beans, dried peas (like split or black-eyed), whole grains, processed meats, nut butters, chocolate, and cola. [3]
    • Better choices include non-enriched rice milk, swiss or cream cheese, sherbet, white bread, green peas, non-processed meats, pretzels, hard candy, or popcorn. For beverages, try sparkling water, lemon-lime soda, root beer, or ginger ale. [4]
  2. Under the advice of your doctor, you may need to take calcium supplements. Your doctor may also just have you add more dairy to your diet. However, always discuss it with your doctor first, as they can determine how much you need. [5]
    • This treatment may also be beneficial for older patients who have increased PTH levels due to age. [6]
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  3. Similarly, if your vitamin D levels are low, your doctor may recommend getting more sunlight or adding a vitamin D supplement. Your doctor may even want to prescribe a high dose of vitamin D, so discuss this option with your doctor. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

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  1. Dehydration is a risk factor for kidney stones, so drinking more water lowers that risk. [8] Kidney stones can be caused by high PTH levels due to the increased calcium in your blood, so you want to stay as hydrated as possible to help with this issue [9]
    • Aim to get around 15.5 cups (3.7 l) of water a day from beverages and foods if you're a man and 11.5 cups (2.7 l) if you're a woman. [10]
  2. While exercising won't lower your PTH levels, it will help keep your bones strong even when your calcium levels are fluctuating. Strength training, in particular, is beneficial, but any exercise is good. [11]
    • Aim for at least 5 30-minute sessions a week.
  3. Quit smoking if you do. Smoking can also lead to bone loss, so if you're doing it when you have high PTH levels, it can lead to complications. It's best to quit smoking if you have this issue. [12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Care

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  1. 1
    See your doctor if you have hyperparathyroidism symptoms. You might not notice any symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, but it can cause symptoms as it worsens. If you have symptoms, it’s important that you get a proper diagnosis immediately so you can begin treating your condition. Otherwise, your symptoms may continue to worsen. Visit your doctor if you experience the following symptoms: [13]
    • Fragile bones
    • Bone and joint pain
    • Abdominal pain
    • Excess urine
    • Kidney stones
    • Getting easily fatigued
    • Depression
    • Forgetfulness
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Feeling ill with no cause
  2. Hyperparathyroidism generally falls into 1 of 2 categories. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when you have a tumor (usually benign) on your parathyroid or an enlarged parathyroid. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is caused by some other condition, such as low calcium, low vitamin D, or kidney issues. [14]
    • Blood, urine, and imaging tests are all common tests to help pinpoint a diagnosis. [15]
  3. 3
    Work with your doctor to treat the underlying cause. The best way to treat your high PTH levels is to treat your underlying condition. Your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan that meets your needs. For a mild case, natural treatments may help. However, it’s possible that your doctor will recommend additional treatments, like medication or surgery, if your symptoms are severe. Follow your doctor’s advice and see them regularly so they can monitor your progress.
    • Your doctor will test your PTH levels often to make sure you’re improving.
  4. High PTH levels can develop when your body isn't getting enough calcium or vitamin D. However, too much vitamin D can become harmful, [16] so you shouldn’t take a supplement unless you know your levels are low. Ask your doctor for a simple, painless blood test to check if you have a vitamin D deficiency. [17]
    • Often this condition develops because you're having trouble absorbing these vitamins from your diet, which likely means you're having digestive issues. In that case, you'll likely need to treat the underlying cause first.
    • In other cases, your high PTH levels are caused by another issue, which results in overproduction of PTH and therefore, causes your calcium levels to be TOO high instead. [18]
  5. Some medications can increase your calcium levels, which can be bad when your PTH levels are high. Diuretics and lithium can be culprits, so ask your doctor if any of your medications could be causing an issue. Don't forget to discuss any natural remedies you're taking, too. [19]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can recent increase in vit d3+k2 cause increase in pth hormone and serum calcium and be misdiagnosed as hyperparathyroidism?
    Lisa Bryant, ND
    Licensed Naturopathic Physician
    Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.
    Lisa Bryant, ND
    Licensed Naturopathic Physician
    Expert Answer
    Taking Vitamin D can cause a temporary increase in PTH levels, but this should normalize pretty quickly in the absence of true hyperparathyroidism. You can ask your doctor to retest your PTH level if you suspect this to be the cause.
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  • Question
    I take Calcitriol 0.025 mcgs a wk. to help raise my calcium level, which is in the normal range as is my Vit D level, along with supplements of both. Is there a problem with extra supplements?
    Lisa Bryant, ND
    Licensed Naturopathic Physician
    Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.
    Lisa Bryant, ND
    Licensed Naturopathic Physician
    Expert Answer
    I would avoid taking extra supplements if your levels are in the normal range.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001215.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15648032/
      3. ↑ https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/phosphorus
      4. ↑ https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/a-e/PD%203085%20Kidney%20disease%20and%20your%20diet%20book%202008.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56060/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2203847
      7. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31107101/
      8. ↑ https://www.kidney.org/newsletter/can-dehydration-affect-your-kidneys
      9. ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/primary-hyperparathyroidism
      1. ↑ https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/benefits-of-drinking-gallon-of-water/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3842136/
      3. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15762185/
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194
      5. ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356199
      7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14454-hyperparathyroidism
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001215.htm
      10. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356199
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14454-hyperparathyroidism

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