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.

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Endocrine System
/ Hyperparathyroidism Support Group

Symptoms Discussion

jebakerii
jebakerii
Good day, all,

I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism this year. I have gone through all the labs & scans and am scheduled for surgery in mid-December.

I have had a great deal of symptoms (many scary) that may or may not be related to my PTH/calcium issue. Everyone is different as are the lists of symptoms from site to site. I have also reviewed the long list on parathyroid.com.

I would be interested in hearing your stories. Whether you currently have parathyroidism or you already had the surgery... what kind of symptoms (if any) did you have?

I think it's just comforting to hear other people going through the same things you are in situations like this.

Cheers!
cpilgrim
cpilgrim
Hi Je, this is my symptom list. Many synptoms have resolved now, 2 1/2 months after surgery, some have not:
fatigue
weakness
brain fog
poor memory
poor concentration
blurred vision
double vision
dry eyes
tinnitus
nasal congestion
postnasal drip
chronic cough
muscle pain
joint pain
bone pain
neuralgia in hands
frequent urination
insomnia
thinning hair
clogged pores
osteoporosis

but other than these, I was healthy. LOL
jebakerii
jebakerii
In general, have you felt significantly better since the surgery?

The tricky thing is that we don't know what symptoms are actually related to the parathyroidism. I'm 42 years old so it's not impossible that some aches, pains, etc could just be from growing older. I know having the surgery won't be like "flipping a switch" but I really hope I start feeling normal again shortly afterward.
tampapatient
tampapatient
Hello Je

If the tumour is removed successfully, then the calcium and PTH levels go back to normal so that in itself makes you feel better. Sometimes people don't realise quite how bad they felt until the tumour has been removed.

I have felt significantly better since my surgery in December 2013 (at The Norman Parathyroid Centre in Florida).

It also depends how long you have had the tumour, the longer you have had it, the more damage it causes in the body and this can take longer for some symptoms to resolve,

Bottom line - you cannot live with a tumour(s), it has to come out otherwise your body will slowly be destroyed and it will take 6 years off your life.

If your calcium and PTH levels don't revert to normal after the op, then it means you have persistent parathyroidism which means they did not remove the tumour (or they may take one out and not realise there was a second one which will continue to make you ill).
It is imperative to find a good experienced surgeon, one who does minimally invasive surgery like Dr Norman does in Tampa. He removed my tumour and I am now cured.

Let us know how you get on after your operation but be sure to get an experienced surgeon.

Best wishes.
tampapatient
cpilgrim
cpilgrim
I actually felt worse than ever in some ways, for almost two months after surgery, though some symptoms improved fast. My vision got clearer fast, urinary frequency disappeared right away, sleeping got better fast, nasal congestion that had plagued me for a year was gone in a week. But the fatigue was worse, and persists. At almost three months now post op, yes, I feel significantly better. Not good yet, but definitely better. But it was certainly not like a light switched on; it's been very gradual and some symptoms persist. As you say, they may be due to something else. Time will tell. I agree with tampapatient; you really do have to get the thing out of you. The longer it's there, the more damage it does, the longer it will take you to recover. And really, things do get worse and worse with time. If only to stop the osteoporosis, you simply have to get the surgery done. And the osteoporosis is far from the only problem that just gets worse and worse. I can put in my two cents for the Norman Parathyroid Center also: very efficient, very friendly. I'm very glad I went there.