Hypoparathyroidism Support Group
Hypoparathyroidism is decreased function of the parathyroid glands, leading to decreased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The consequence, hypocalcemia, is a serious medical condition. This presents with tremor, tetany and, eventually, convulsions. Severe hypocalcemia, a potentially life-threatening condition, is treated as soon as possible with intravenous calcium.
Hi all,
I am new to this group and just wanted to share my experiences and some information that may be helpful to you.
I had a total thyroidectomy in January due to a substernal goiter that was causing compression symptoms, large nodules and an inconclusive biopsy. Either some or all of my parathyroid glands were removed. I have developed permanent hypoparathyroidism as a consequence. (PTH below 3). My blood tests for the last 7 months have shown elevated and increasing creatinine levels. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
My endricrinologist and my nephrologist could not understand why I was developing kidney disease when I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes and all the autoimmune tests they did came back negative. I was basically told that without knowing the cause there is no treatment.
I suspected that this had to do with the thyroidectomy/hypocalcemia and undertook my own research. What I found out is that hypoparathyroidism can lead to a host of renal problems: hypercalciuria, kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis and renal failure. The reason is that the parathyroid glands send messages to the kidneys to
not dump any calcium into the urine but cycle it back to the blood. Without this message (and with the high amounts of calcium being ingested to treat hypocalcemia), the calcium level in the urine becomes elevated and this over time is very damaging to the kidneys. Once I found this out, I printed up the research for my doctors and reduced my calcium intake to as low as I could without developing hypocalcemia. My creatinine levels dropped by about 20% in just two weeks. I still have kidney disease but my renal function has much improved.
In short, a lot of doctors do not know about the correlation of hypoparathryoidism and kidney disease and only test blood calcium levels. In order to prevent kidney disease, it is important that they also regularly test your urine calcium levels with 24-hr. urine tests and give you the minimum amount of calcium needed to keep you at the lower normal blood calcium range.
Sorry for the long post. I hope this helps someone.
I am new to this group and just wanted to share my experiences and some information that may be helpful to you.
I had a total thyroidectomy in January due to a substernal goiter that was causing compression symptoms, large nodules and an inconclusive biopsy. Either some or all of my parathyroid glands were removed. I have developed permanent hypoparathyroidism as a consequence. (PTH below 3). My blood tests for the last 7 months have shown elevated and increasing creatinine levels. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
My endricrinologist and my nephrologist could not understand why I was developing kidney disease when I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes and all the autoimmune tests they did came back negative. I was basically told that without knowing the cause there is no treatment.
I suspected that this had to do with the thyroidectomy/hypocalcemia and undertook my own research. What I found out is that hypoparathyroidism can lead to a host of renal problems: hypercalciuria, kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis and renal failure. The reason is that the parathyroid glands send messages to the kidneys to
not dump any calcium into the urine but cycle it back to the blood. Without this message (and with the high amounts of calcium being ingested to treat hypocalcemia), the calcium level in the urine becomes elevated and this over time is very damaging to the kidneys. Once I found this out, I printed up the research for my doctors and reduced my calcium intake to as low as I could without developing hypocalcemia. My creatinine levels dropped by about 20% in just two weeks. I still have kidney disease but my renal function has much improved.
In short, a lot of doctors do not know about the correlation of hypoparathryoidism and kidney disease and only test blood calcium levels. In order to prevent kidney disease, it is important that they also regularly test your urine calcium levels with 24-hr. urine tests and give you the minimum amount of calcium needed to keep you at the lower normal blood calcium range.
Sorry for the long post. I hope this helps someone.
Kidney issues is a common problem or can be.
Make sure you are proactive and always have tests to monitor everything.