Hyperparathyroidism Support Group

Hyperparathyroidism is overactivity of the parathyroid glands resulting in excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Increased PTH consequently leads to increased serum calcium (hypercalcemia) due to 1) increased bone resorption, allowing flow of calcium from bone to blood, 2) reduces renal clearance of calcium, and 3) increases intestinal calcium absorption.

194 Members
441 Posts
0 Online
Endocrine System
/ Hyperparathyroidism Support Group

Bad joint pain

DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
Lately I've been waking up with really bad joint. The pain is worst in my hips and my neck. Has anyone else had this? I had bone pain in the past but never joint pain like this. My doctor won't refer me to an endocrinologist because my calcium has been borderline high so she says I'm fine. My pth is high and vitamin D is low. I was taking vitamin D but stopped it because I read the body makes vitamin D lower to protect itself. I can't get another doctor because there's a doctor shortage here. No matter what I tell my doctor she won't refer me without my calcium being higher and she won't do another bone density scan or a parathyroid scan. She has been on maternity leave since December and has had other doctors filling in once in a while. I'm not sure when she will be back. My joints not only hurt they feel really stiff. Eventually tylenol seems to lessen the pain sometimes but the stiffness remains.
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
I would say to try some epsom salt baths to help with the pain...vitamin d goes low to lower your calcium level....which your doc should know....but ---if you take the d and it raises your calcium for awhile it may help your case, as long as you don't suffer any major side effects...also..if your calcium is borderline high--your pth should be LOW...so obviously something is off. I was in the same boat as you--fortunately my calcium popped up to 10.8 and the surgeon wanted to do a scan in his own hospital with his people..and they found the lil sucker.....(scan in regular imaging place stunk--absolutely stunk....) good luck!
DarknessEmbraced
DarknessEmbraced
hypergal,

I had more symptoms on vitamin D so I stopped taking it. I did take vitamin D for a week before my blood tests. I will do that for the tests in January. I used to get tested every three months but my doctor moved it back to every six months. :( My doctor tried to tell me that my pth was higher due to my only having two remaining parathyroids on the right! After my last surgery my pth went back to normal. My calcium was on the low side but calcium supplements helped with that. An ER doctor was the one who referred me to my endocrinologist in the first place. My endocrinlogist told me that all four glands were enlarged and that she was worried I mix have multiple endocrine neoplasia. I'm glad that your surgeon performed a scan that found your adenoma. My surgeon for the second surgery also did his own scan because my first scan was very unclear.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hip and neck pain, for sure, I know all about it. Very specific. A Vitamin D deficiency can be responsible, in the absence of primary hyperparathyroidism. A vitamin D deficiency alone results in a low absorption of calcium and elevated concentrations of parathyroid hormone. All of the metabolic processes involving PTH and Vit D are complex and interrelated. Vitamin D is key to recovering from hyperparathyroidism and repairing bone. I have shared that my endocrinologist prescribed 50000 IU weekly to start, then 50000 IU monthly once my serum D was into the sufficient range. I believe I have benefitted from this protocol, including attenuating these nasty weird pains.
sandypops101
sandypops101
My calcium is high and my PTH is high. My bone pain is horrible. I've read that even if you have calcium level slightly above 10, you will have symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. My PC didn't send me to an endocrine doctor, so I took things in my own hands because I've been having symptoms for more than a year. You need a doctor to listen to you and take you seriously. You know your body better than she does.
cpilgrim
cpilgrim
Darkness: If your calcium is over 10 and your parathyroid hormone is over 20, you have hyperparathyroidism and probably an adenoma or hyperplasia of existing glands. You probably need surgery, and the longer you wait, the worse the problem gets. I had an adenoma removed by Dr. Norman at the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa in August. I recommend them highly.
(Taking vitamin d when your calcium is already high will just worsen the symptoms. The body cuts back on vitamin D naturally as a protective mechanism, to cut back on absorption of calcium from the intestine when the blood calcium is already high.) Check out the website parathyroid.com. It will likely answer most of your questions.