A related discussion,
Kidney stones-pituatary thyroid was started.
Dr. Lupo,
I should mention that the range for the lab is 8.5-10.2 for calcium and 15-65 for PTH.
Dr. Lupo,
I just received some results from my most recent bloodwork. My calcium level was 10.5 this time, and my PTH was 36.8. My ionized calcium is not back yet. My physician says this could be related to parathyroid, but it may be low level and something to watch. What are your thoughts?
Thanks so much for your help.
Regards,
Melissa
This is most likely primary hyperpara -- with the stones it does not matter if the urine calcium is high -- in fact the urine calcium of patients with primary hyperpara is unpredictable - so not worth re-measuring if the PTH is high and the Calcium is high (yes, even 10.3 with a normal up to 10.2). Post the results and I will follow along.
I do eat a serving of cheese and have a 1/4 cup of milk in my cereal each day, but that's the extent of my dairy consumption. Thought it might be worth clarifying.
Dr. Lupo,
Many thanks for your response. I do not care for dairy products, and I do not take any kind of supplement (never have taken vitamins), so my calcium intake generally comes from bread, cereals, etc. The amount of calcium in my urine is within normal range although my blood calcium is elevated. Is that possible with primary hyperparathyroidism?
I will contact an endocrinologist and investigate this further. I'll certainly let you know when the test results are complete.
Regards,
Melissa
your calcium is clearly elevated and would be probably higher if it weren't spilling into the urinary tract and causing stones. This is most likely primary hyperparathyroidism - would check a PTH and ionized calcium along with another regular calcium level to confirm the diagnosis.
Probably worth checking thyroid levels (at least a TSH) to screen for thyroid problems as cause of the palpitations.
Sometimes parathyroid problems are overlooked because docs don't see it frequently enough - with this history a slightly high calcium is a big red flag - unless your taking lots of supplemental calcium or a diuretic like HCTZ.
Will follow this post - give feedback regarding the PTH level.