I have had a raised parathyroid hormone blood result recently also a raised calcium in the blood result. I had raised calcium levels several years ago but after a scan of my parathyroid glands which showed no growths it was put down to lack of Vitamin D and called secondary parathyroidism
I was told to increase my Vitamin D levels which I did and my calcium level dropped. I have continued on the supplementation. I have severe sleep problems, am tired and grumpy, my hypothyroidism been under control for the last 8 years. I am border line diabetic. Almost 73 years old. Any suggestions welcome
My calcium level was elevated for over 3.5 years. I started going to a new doctor and she said that I needed to be checked for Parathyroid disease. I had to have surgery to remove a greatly enlarged Parathyroid gland.
I was tired all of the time, had lots of pain in my bones, somewhat grumpy, and I was losing hair. I just had the surgery in November 2013. It took me quite a while to feel less weak. I think it takes a while for your body to get used to the reduced calcium level. I am feeling much better now. More energy, less pain, less hair loss, and just an overall feeling that life is better. I have read that if your Calcium level is elevated and you don't have kidney disease, you definitely have Parathyroid disease. I am 60 years old.
Hello! I know this is an old message but I thought I would reply. I am 35 years old and two or three years ago I had to have surgery to remove a parathyroid gland, like Nancy above. It took me a couple of weeks to recover from the surgery, but in other ways I felt much, much better. I sleep better now and have tons more energy. I hope you're feeling better these days!
Thanks for replying. I have had a consultation with an Endocrinologist and he has sent me for bone density scan.I am due for a kidney Scan to see if I have kidney stones and then they will decide what to do.
I am better than I was but not sleeping very well, I decided to get help from a 75mgms of Trazadone
which has certainly improved things.
Will keep you posted. Maggie
The bone density scan isn't bad at all, I remember that one, and the kidney scan was just an ultrasound. I know at least one scan I had, to look for which parathyroid gland was misbehaving, I fell fast asleep! Good luck with it all
I'm feeling much better since my surgery. Less pain, more energy, less hair loss. It took me around 3 weeks before I felt normal after the surgery. I think your body takes a while to adjust to having normal Calcium and Parathyroid levels! My scar is starting to look better too!
Yeah, a couple of years out my scar is almost invisible. I had two weeks off work after the surgery and I'd say it took me a comparable amount of time to get really better. Just fine these days though!
Did you have a local aesthetic for your removal of parathyroid gland/s or general. I live in Scotland and not all endocrine surgery is done by experts, a bit worrying. There is the potential I believe for damage to the voice.
maggiew
I had a general, my surgery was a bit complicated and took about four hours, it is usually much quicker. I live near London and was lucky enough to see an expert: Dr Palazzo at Hammersmith hospital. There is that risk, but I was told it was a tiny risk, so I hope it won't worry you too much!
I had General Anesthetic. The surgery took about 2 hours. I had a vocal cord lying on my Parathyroid gland and he had to gently remove it. My surgeon was an Ear Nose and Throat doctor. I'm in the USA.
Oh, my voice is just fine :-)
Hi. I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism last February. I was sent for a bone scan which showed that I am just on the edge of having osteoporosis, my kidneys were ok but I had a suspected kidney stone 2 years previous. I can feel a lump in my neck at the side which my consultant said would not be a enlarged parathyoid gland but then said it could when he felt it! I am just waiting for a 6 month check when him but i do have my bloods checked at my health centre which they send to him. They always come back abnormal and show problems with my kidneys, slightly raised levels.
I was put on high vit D 2500 per day last summer because my count was 16.This then sends the calcium level up and I have had some bad days. It was 2.82 last count and am due for another test to see if it is rising.
I have not had a scan on the glans so do not know how many are affected. I wonder when they will do that!
I feel the same as all you out there!
I had surgery to remove my parathyroid glads about 10 year ago unfortunately they couldn't find them so i still have them but wanted to say the surgeon i had Mr McKirdy at Royal Alexandria hospital Paisley was fantastic and i have to show people my scar as it is not noticable unless pointed out. Hope if you've had the op you're feeling much better, if not and you can travel to Paisley ask to see this man.
Hi Shirley you have my sympathies, it took them a few years to finally diagnose me as having hyperparathyroidism, i am borderline underactive thryoid, and boderline for having osteoperosis as well but i have over 30 years of having kidney stones. I hope you've had those scans by now and given some answers.
Hi I am 63 years old and diagnosed with Primary hyperparathyroidism. A recent bone scan confirmed osteoporosis and I have been told I need an operation to remove the gland causing the problem. The consultant has given me a prescription for Alendronil also known as fosamax which apparantly causes some very worrying side effects. No one I know even knows what a parathyroid gland is so there isnt anyone l can converse with. Have you or anyone else taken this drug or can give me re assurance as to the proceedure of the operation. Could do with some support.
Hi Gaynor, i've not heard of your medicine i'm afraid, so don't know anything about them sorry. I've had the op but sadly they couldn't find my parathyroid glands so i still have mine ...... somewhere! The op is a pretty routine op, the surgeon that did mine is also the man who does breast cancer patients reconstruction etc. so good with a needle! It's not the most pleasant experience i've ever had but had great fun telling folk my stomach thinks my throats been cut ;-) just my sense of humour! No point in me saying oh it's painful or there's nothing to it cause everyone is different, have confidence in your surgeon. My scar is unoticable now and has to be pointed out. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.
Thanks Kate. I do not know anyone else who has hyperparathyroidism so was good to hear from you. My doctor said maybe I should have a second opinion but it just happened that my consultant was away and I saw another who said they did not want to operate yet. He reduced my vit D to 1000 but now all my nails are braking leaving me with sore fingers so just worried what my bones are doing!! I go back in June just waiting for my appointment. I get terrible bone pain. No sign of a scan on my glans. I live in Lancashire. I know some of the people on this site are in U.S.A. which seems to have different treatment?
Hi Shirley and Kate. From what I know hyperparathyroidism always leads to osteoporosis eventually.So it came as no surprise when my blood tests showed high cacium levels, that a subsequent bone scan revealed a degree of osteoporosis. I am currently waiting for a parathyroid scan with a view to surgery. Last week my consultant advised me to take Alendronic acid. Big mistake! Side effects were awful. Nausea, headache etc.. l felt really ill. Might work for some people but beware. Will just wait for result of surgery now before taking anything else
Hi gaynor
Have just had blood tests for back pain and X-ray and vitamin D low as shown up which has raised the parathyroid glan now GP wants a dexta X-ray what ever that is I think for bones. Worried sick so much pain ly on bed most of day so lethargic thinking all sorts.
hope you will see this I know it's an old post but just found this forum.
thankyou