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.
I just saw my family doctor today and she said that my pth level was 14 six months ago and now it's 27. That it keeps going up so she's going to write a letter to my endocrinologist so I can be referred back to her. I'm in Canada so the units of measurement are different. My calcium has been borderline high, vitamin D low.
I had an excellent experience with my surgeon, Dr Chen, at University of Wisconsin Hospital. I'm not sure if that's an option for you as I know Canadians don't typically have health insurance with socialize healthcare. But if it is, they are very good to work with.
All I can say is be proactive with your health care. If you have hyperparathyroidism (sounds like you do) then surgery is the only fix - so push for it.
I recently found out that I have osteoporosis again. My T scores are as follows: Lumbar Spine: -3, the other two scores are -1.5 and -2.5 I read on parathyroid.com that having just one score higher than -2.5 means osteoporosis.
I don't know the exact number for my calcium but I know it's borderline high. I believe that my ionized calcium will be high or it will be high in my urine. It's normal for calcium levels to fluctuate in hyperparathyroidism. Here in Canada normal range for pth is: 1.2 and 5.8 My pth is 27. My vitamin D is low. My endocrinologist told me that all four of my glands were enlarged according to my medical records. She was concerned that I might have multiple endocrine neoplasia.
I was referred back to my endocrinologist but since she's the only endocrinologist in my city I have to wait until August to see her. Apparently that's her short list. Her long list is a 2 year wait. My family doctor wrote her a letter as a referral.
My endocrinologist should order 24 hour urine and a sestamibi scan for starters. As for surgery they don't do it in my city so I'd either have to go to a hospital in another city in my province or go to hospital in a different province. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long to see her but I don't have a choice since she's the only endocrinologist here.