Calcium deficiency but parathyroids working

[dibdab720]

Hi
Was wondering if someone could help, I had a total thyroidectomy for Graves in August last year and ended up in hospital for 10 day with tetany.  I left hospital and was able to wean myself off the calcium (on advice from my endo).  I then suffered a further tetany attack several months later (after a rather nasty stomach bug).  Since then I have been on and off the calcium (again on advice).  A month ago I had a vitamin D injection as I was found to be low.  My parathyroid levels have all come back as normal, and the surgeon remarked that he saw 4 intact during surgery.
My questions are - why is calcium deficiency still affecting me?
Can I expect this situation to improve? or should accept that I will be on calcium for life ?

Thanks Lisa 37years

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I am not sure why the calcium is still low if the PTH is normal.  May be low Vit D -- so would talk to your doctor about regular vitamin d supplementation (oral) in addition to supplemental calcium.  Would also check magnesium levels to confirm ok.

[dibdab720]

Sorry this is my first time posting so I'm not sure I've put this in the correct forum.  

Lisa
Thyroidectomy August 2009