Your opinions...

[DMLee]

Getting ready for the first scan since a TT last October.  What is your protocol for the low iodide diet.  I see that two weeks is the common number but my endo says 4.  Also, I've had calcium issues this whole time with getting blood drawn every 2-3 weeks for the past 11 months.  Numbers pretty much never getting above 7.8.  The last draw showed a major jump to 8.9 and my endo doesn't want blood drawn for 3 months.  Just kind of confusing.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  I live on the east coast of Florida, in Boca Raton and have been tempted to drive across the state to see you.  Thanks.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The parathyroid levels appear normal, but with fluctuating calcium levels, the parathyroids may still be struggling a bit and 34-35 is the best they can do -- would look at your current calcium dsoing - other than the slo-mag and calicitriol.  If you still need calcitriol one year out, this suggest hypoparathyroidism.  Unless you had low Mg as a cause of hypoPTH, Mg is not usually needed.

2 weeks is the standard low I diet -- and it is usually done before I-131 treatments, not diagnostic scanning....although it wouldn't hurt the scan quality....

[DMLee]

My primary wanted blood taken and after 4 weeks from the 8.9 reading, the Calcium is now 8.4.  I have been all over the board with the Calcium readings from 6.3 (in the hospital and yes, in tetany) to the 8.9.  And all along I have had normal parathyroid readings of 34, 35.  I'm still taking the Calcitriol and Slow Mg.  Could it be something that I am doing to be skewing the Calcium??  My primary said that they treat hyperparathyroidism by giving magnesium.  How can I be up and down with normal parathyroid activity?

[DMLee]

Thanks for the information.  My current Calcium is 8 Citracal and 1 Tums.  Calcitriol is 1.0 qd.
Thanks again.