The parathyroids control how calcium is used in the body; calcium controls electrical impulses in the body. If one, or more, of the parathyroids develops a tumor, the only cure is to have it removed.
Not being familiar with Sensipar, I did a quick google search; I came up with this:
http://www.parathyroid.com/Sensipar-high-calcium.htm
"Sensipar is a drug that can be problematic (dangerous?) when given to patients with PRIMARY hyperparathyroidism.
my WBC has been ranging 12.2- 25 with high lymphs and Grans, on and off. Proteinuria, low creatine, elevated ld-5. Still waiting on "tumor markers" ( other labs) ....ionized calcium 6.6..,
Do these issues seem related? I've seen an oncologist, endo, ent, cardiologist....my GP....and i see pulmonology tomorrow....everyone is baffled. One wants me to go to NYC to get a 2nd opinion...the there's are calling friends in high places and suggesting malignancy.....any ideas?
Also remember that calcium AND PTH levels in normal patients are very constant from week to week, measure to measure... while those with primary hyperparathyroidism have calcium and PTH levels that go up and down from day to day, week to week. They are variable. There is no medical reason to "wait 6 months and get more tests".
The patient either has a parathyroid tumor or they do not.
thanks but that site is about thyroid disease not parathyroid disease. Typically parathyroid levels are elevated in vitamin D deficiency; however, that's secondary hyperparathyroidism and they treat people empirically for D deficiency (and presumed secondary hyperparathyroidism) as long as their calcium is within the normal range. In primary hyperparathyroidism Vitamin D and calcium are not indicated I guess until after surgery.
I had hyperparathyroidism and it was my understanding that was separate from my thyroid issue. I'm not sure that is clinically correct though.
Hope you get more answers.
One of the rules of primary hyperparathyroidism - "All patients with parathyroid disease have calcium levels and PTH levels that go up and down. Fluctuating levels of calcium are typical of parathyroid disease." As your calcium levels are stable, this is a good indication that you have secondary hyperparathyroidism.
I know that muscle cramping is a symptom of hyPOparathyroidism, but can it also be a symptom of hyPERparathyroidism? I've been having lower right abdomen cramps and increased leg cramps, esp. at night. I've pretty much got the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism, we're just looking for a good localization scan.
Thanks so much!
I have elevated levels of calcium and PTH in my blood. When I read about the symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism on Parathyroid.com, I found that my symptoms during several years fit well to primary hyperparathyroidism (although I have other diseases, too). Maybe I have had higher than normal calcium level even for many years. Nobody knows.
Last year I thought that there must be a strange cause for the flimmer. Now I suspect hypercalcemia. Infections have also been suspected.
If the calcium and PTH are both high - then this is primary hyperparathyroidism. There are rare syndromes of pituitary tumors and parathyroid tumors that coexist (MEN syndrome - in this case, MEN 1). The FSH would be high due to the pituitary problem. Checking other pituitary hormones would be helpful and consider a pituitary MRI.
However, there could be another explanation. The PTH could be high due to a vitamin D deficiency (commonly seen in the autoimmune disease called celiac sprue).
Hi there - I am a 24 year old female with a history of fibromyalgia/chronic pain (w/ many of the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism). I went in for a physical a couple of weeks ago and for the first time ever, had a high calcium of 10.7. The Dr. repeated the test and today it was normal at 9.4.
I did a lot of research when I first saw that it was elevated and I was convinced that I had hyperparathyroidism after reading about the symptoms and others' experiences.
High calcium and and PTH level that is not very low means it is extremely likely you have hyperparathyroidism. "
In addition, "The most common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism are chronic fatigue, body aches, difficulty sleeping, bone pain, memory loss, poor concentration, depression, and headaches.
First, thanks much for everyone's time in reading and in advance for any responses!
My questions:
What is the definition of low-normal versus normal on the PTH INTACT blood tests? My level came up as 17 with a normal range of 10-65. My calcium topped 11 last week, but has been 10 and above with possibly related symptoms and worsening GERD for the last two years.
Usually the calcium is high w/ primary hyperparathyroidism (caused by a tumor). So if your calcium is "normal" and PTH is high and vit D low - most commonly the PTH is high due to the low vit D --- aka secondary hyperparathyroidism. But if Ca is high-normal (10 or above usually) then early primary hyperparathyroidism is possible.
I have been diagnosed with depression and atrial arrythmia (sp?). I have had joint and bone pain, severe at times, and muscle weakness since summer of '08.
My research has shown that hyperparathyroidism symptoms include depression, atrial arrythmias, joint and bone pains, as well as the muscle weakness.
My main concern at this point is, what should I expect from the above treatments to "cure" the hyperparathyroidism, thereby, curing the symptoms?
With the chronic secondary when it leads to the tertiary hyperparathyroidism both the PTH and Calcium levels increase and your phosphorous levels may decrease but often increase as well.
Some medications can cause the increases as well, those are anticonvulsants, phosphates, steroids, lithium, rifampin, or isoniazids.
Treatment for tertiary hyperparathyroidism is usually total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation or subtotal parathyroidectomy.
I suggest you to go and visit your cardiologist to define what is causing your palpitations and revise the beta blocker that you are taking (i.e. atenolol) and its dose. He will probably ask for an electrocardiogram holter where you will be able to record your symptoms and the doctor will correlate these symptoms with the presence or absence of arrhythmias like premature ventricular complexes or PVCs. Good luck.
I have hyperparathyroidism and severe neck symptoms, even TIA have been suggested. No one doctor here will do sestamibi scan or parathyroidectomy to me, because my disease is mild. That is true. It took a long time before I got the diagnosis. I should take Dolan for the neck pain and weakness. I think it makes me nervous and causes tremor which symptoms I already had before the medicine.
Doctors have suggestedted many diagnoses, not very seriously.
Can all chronic fatigue and pain I have be due to hyperparathyroidism? I have had 10.5 calcium 3x, PTH of 33 last checked. Has gone up from 26. I feel awful, like death is slowly coming upon me. Thanks to anyone who might help. I do have endocrinologist appt.
I was just recently told I certainly have hyperparathyroidism and at least One parathyroid tumor that needs to be removed but my doc says my blood work numbers don't add up. And because of my age and lack of strong symptoms there may be a secondary cause. My doc said to me point blank "you have very strange blood." Why? What does this all mean? Any tips?
I have primary hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism and lots of other diseases. Possibly without any connection to hyperparathyroidism, I have unknown tumors in my lungs, minute cysts in my liver and pancreas. I have had an enlargened lymph node in my neck - it was then calcified. I have had cysts in my thyroid gland, and they have shrunken to small ones. Also the thyroid gland itself has shrunken.
As to parathyroid glands, they are so small that they are seldom seen in ultrsound.
All of them talk about gi problems and upper quad pain. If you have hyperparathyroidism your calcium levels will be elevated. That is how I got diagnosed. I was just feeling really crappy and went to see my MD. She ran routine blood work and saw my calicium elevated, i came home and googled it and called and asked her to test my level of parathyroid hormone...low and behold it was elevated as well.... I am still learning about this. I do know that I will have to eventually have surgery.
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