Possible hyperparathyroidism

[LisaMS]

Is it possible to have hyperparathyroidism and not have high calcium? My calcium levels have been 9.6 and then 9.9 the last time I had blood drawn, but I have several symptoms related to hyperparathyroidism. It started with racing heartbeat, palpitations, constipation, I have lost weight, I have bone pain in my legs and arms. I also have a weird feeling in my throat, like something is stuck, acid reflux and I generally don't feel well. This has been going on for 7 months.My blood pressure is normally low, but a few times when I took it, it was 130/84. Normally it is 100/65. The doctors I have seen says it sounds like a thyroid problem but my thyroid panels are all normal. Should I have my PTH tested? Last time I had blood work my Liver enzymes were elevated. More tests were performed with no conclusions. Hep. was ruled out and a abdominal ultrasound was normal.

[Thypatient]

Unfortunately, hyperparathyroidism is a difficult disease to diagnose.  And that's even when lab numbers are obvious.  Even then, bloodwork is usually tracked for a bit before a dr will draw a conclusion.

Requesting a PTH test can't hurt - if for nothing else but to put your mind at ease.  However, I don't know if a dr would fulfill a request based on that.

Are they going to redo your liver labs?  Personally, that's the one I might be contemplating.

Good luck.

[Totie]

Some doctors tend to treat by lab numbers, which mine does as well. I just looked at my calcium test that was done in Aug. it was 10.0, the lab range is 8.6 - 10.2 , so since it is within normal range they don't bother as seeing my symptoms as being parathyroid related. But I never really thought about it being parathyroid, i think i will bring it  up to my dr. on the next visit. Looking at my previous two yrs. of calcium it has seems to have gone up, it was at 8.6 the first time i was tested two yrs ago. It could explain the weight loss, constant urination (although i was dxd with IC) -Insiterial cystis- sp? night sweats, throat pain.

I don't know if the doctor will even consider it since she will say it is within normal limits. I think my PTH was normal, what do I look under (listed as) on the lab results to see what the level was? What is the test called? I looked, but I do not see specifically PTH, only the calcium.

I hope you get a great dr. that will listen to you. I am still dealing with my thyroid dosage, I think I am hyper again....not any fun...

Let me know how it goes....

[LisaMS]

That is very good advice. I will try that. Thanks!!

[Totie]

I understand your frustration with your doctor.

Are you able to change doctors? What I did when I switched doctors was find one and then send them a letter explaining my problems and I let the new doctor decide on weather or not they could help me or not. If they could I told them to call me to make an appt. if they thought i had exhausted all my possibilities then not to waste my time or theirs. They had to be willing to listen or forget it was basically what i wrote before I switched.

It was the best thing I ever did, but I still butt heads with my current one. My new one did found a lot of things wrong that were missed by my previous doctor who the last time i saw wrote me a presciption for prozac....

I can tell you a thing or two about misdiagnosis.....

[LisaMS]

I did take a look at parathyroid, and I have several symptoms except for high calcium and high blood pressure. The problem is my doctor doesn't think my symptoms are parathyroid related because my calcium is normal, she will not check my PTH levels

[Totie]

Yes you can.

Have you looked at parathyroid.com site?  

[LisaMS]

anyone??