Do you have elevated blood calcium levels?
Hyperparathyroidism is the main disease of the parathyroid glands. Diagnosing hyperparathyroidism is discussed in detail. High calcium levels are never normal and almost always indicate a parathyroid tumor is present. How to diagnose parathyroid gland problems, what tests are needed to diagnose hyperparathyroidism made easy.
How do we diagnose hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid disease) when most people have never heard of a parathyroid gland until their doctor tells them that they have a problem with one of their parathyroids? The typical response is “Doc, what is a parathyroid gland? I’ve never heard of a parathyroid or parathyroid gland. How can we diagnose this to be sure that I really have parathyroid disease and how can we be sure this bad parathyroid gland is causing me a problem? “Hey doc, are you talking about the thyroid?? Or the parathyroid? What is a parathyroid? What does it mean to have a high calcium level in my blood? How can I have a tumor in my parathyroid gland when I’ve never heard of a parathyroid gland!?” If you can read and understand this one page, you will know more about parathyroid disease than 90% of doctors.
Symptoms may be so mild and nonspecific that they don’t seem at all related to parathyroid function, or they may be severe. The range of signs and symptoms include:
- Fragile bones that easily fracture (osteoporosis)
- Kidney stones
- Excessive urination
- Abdominal pain
- Tiring easily or weakness
- Depression or forgetfulness
- Bone and joint pain
- Frequent complaints of illness with no apparent cause
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
I blog about this today because of a recent follow up I had and how easily this will go missed. I had a female patient in her mid 70’s come to me last month for bone supplement advise, due to 5 vertebrae fractures since September. Reviewing some of her previous labs, I noticed elevated calcium levels on her. Knowing what I know from clinical practice, I immediately suspected parathyroid tumor or dysfunction. If the parathyroid is over active, it will release a hormone (PTH) that strips calcium from skeletal bone structure to raise the blood calcium levels. This was indeed her case and needed her parathyroid glands removed. Too much calcium was being pulled from her bones, which was the main cause of these fractures that were happening. If you have elevated calcium levels and need them to be evaluated for parathyroid dysfunction, contact the Norman Parathyroid Center in Florida. (www.parathyroid.com)