Parathyroid Problem?

[tracievh]

I've been feeling tired, muscle aches/fatigue, lack of concentration, moody, and frequent urination.
Went to Dr. to have my calcium checked, as a couple years ago my DR. told me it was high but didn't do anything about it.

They did a PTH test, Calcium serum PTH, and full-blood work.

Calcium on regular blood work was 10.5
Calcium on Serum PTH was 10.3
Parathyroid Intact was 139.9 - more then double the high-normal.

My previous blood results for calcium over the past 4 years ranged between 10.5 - 10.9 – no PTH were taken.

My Dr. says that because my calcium is not high right now, that there is nothing to worry about and it should just be monitored.

I've been reading up on Parathyroid problems and I'm not feeling very confident in my DR's decision to just monitor it. I'm weary that I have a parathyroid tumor that needs to be removed.

Can I still have a parathyroid problem with my calcium levels fluctuating? It is hormonal, isn't it? Should I get a second opinion?

Thanks in advance

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This looks like primary hyperparathyroidism.  Would look at 24 hour urine calcium -- that would be normal or high in this diagnosis.  If there is bone loss, kidney stone or relatively young age (? <60) then would consider surgical treatment of this.  the symptoms are not specific to parathyroid disease, so there is no guarantee that fixing the problem will resolve all the symtpoms.

[bobie]

three year ago, in my lab work, the doctor discovered calcium. he immediately called me in to tell me. he said i would have to have my parathyroid, or at least one as there are four, taken out. i put it off for a year, then had it done.  good thing, one had to come out, as it was enlarged!  the doctor explained to me that it had been taking the calcium out of my bones and throwing it out in my urine.  if it went on, i would get out of bed one morning and my bones would break!  if it was me, i'd get a second opinon.

[tracievh]

Thank you very much. After reading your thoughts, I will seek a second opinion.

PS. I am 37 years old. I do not know if I have any bone loss, though I find it strange that I have had recurrent pain in my teeth/jaw over the past year with no explanation from my dentist other then phantom pain.

[tracievh]

Thanks for your comments bobie. Scary to think my bones might be robbed of calcium!