Post-surgical hypoparathyroidism, anyone?

[devushka]

Does anyone else suffer from long-term LOW CALCIUM due to what is clinically known as "post-surgical hypoparathyroidism"--in other words, they removed your thyroid, and now for whatever reason, your parathyroid glands are not functioning properly? I'm interested in your course of treatment, how much calcium and vitamin D you take, and what works for you. I've already met one person through this forum, and our email conversations have been so helpful. This condition is a supposedly "rare" outcome of a TT, and more research is needed. I would love to know if anyone has had success in kick-starting their parathyroids after longer periods of dormancy. If there is any response, we could start a web forum elsewhere to share our experiences.

My stats: TT for multinodular goiter in July '06, current calcium level 8.7, and currently taking 2,500 mg of elemental calcium daily, with .5 mcg Calcitriol.  

[redheadaussie]

Hi, I had TT on Dec 14 2007, and have felt pretty yuk ever since. I take 100mcg thyroxine and expected to start feeling better by now, ot worse! Almost immediately after surgery I had funny buzzing tingling down my forearms and into my hands. I told the nurses this and they asked each other but no-one had ever heard of that happening before. Later that night I was tested for calcium and then had nurses rushing around saying "Swallow these NOW!" Hmmm says me, I know I am always low on calcium but these horse pills are interesting. Over the next few days they kept asking was I having tingling around my mouth etc...Yes I said. Tests kept showing low calcium.The surgeon said to me that she thought maybe the parathyroids got 'bruised' I thought, fair enough. But now having read up about surgery induced hypoparathyroidism , I KNOW now that is what it is. I get tested again for levels in 2 more weeks.  So, I am not a long term patient of this but I think I am heading that way! I have no idea what my levels were whilst in hospital, as I was pretty out of it from the anasthesia for 2 days..( i react badly to it...sigh....) I take 2,400mg of Caltrate. a

[pep88]

I have been constantly having muscle cramps since my TT in September.  I called the surgeon and he said that my calcium levels were within normal range and keep eating Tums, so I've tried to tuff it out the last couple of months.  Last week I had my calcium and vit d levels checked again as I still felt "weird" and tingling had started in my hands and feet.  Vit D should be 40-50.  Mine came back 10.  After doing a little research and with the help of the forum, I've found that calcium CANNOT be asorbed by your body without vit d.  So although my calcium levels were fine, I was not deriving any benefit from them because my body couldn't use it without adaquate vit d.  I just started taking 2000 IU of vit d along with liquid calcium.  Already slept 100 times better last night!  Here's a web site I found VERY interesting!  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0813/is_n8_v24/ai_19928282

[mom2abeauty]

I also had a TT in July "06. The day following my surgery I experienced extreme tetany and thought I was going to die. My calcium, magnesium and potassium levels completely bottomed out. I spent 5 days in the hospital to get my levels to normal. I still struggle with muscle weakness and the occasional spasm. But for the most part, my levels remain on the low/normal side. I think my last calcium level was 8.3. I currently take 500mg of calcium twice a day, 400 mg of magnesium twice a day, and .025 mcg of rocaltrol (vit.D). I also take 100 of Levoxyl. Good luck in your recovery process. I say process because I don't think we will ever fully recover from this.

[a_rodriguez_04]

Hello,
I recently had a hemi-thyroidectomy (right side) on February 27th.  Since then I have had tingling in my left arm and hand.  I saw my endocrinologist on the 5th.  He checked my thyroid using some camera that went up my nose and down my throat (HORRIBLE FEELING).  He said my vocal chords appeared swollen still but that that was no concern.  However, he did notice that the left parathyroid glands were enlarged more than normal and cause for concern.  He scheduled me for a follow up exam for the 14th of April.  Meanwhile my hand and arm are still tingling.  Should I start chewing on some calcium supplements?  If so what?  Also, should I call my doctor to let him know what is going on?  Thanks guys :)

[mom_in_training]

My daughter had TT on Feb 15th 2008. The lowest her calcium level got was 8.4 the same evening of her surgery day. Her levels are staying around 9.3. She takes synthroid once a day. I do recall someone saying something about magnesium helping with cramps and or muscle spasm. See below what I found regarding magnesium.

Who may need extra magnesium?
Magnesium supplementation may be indicated when a specific health problem or condition causes an excessive loss of magnesium or limits magnesium absorption [2,7,9-11].

Some medicines may result in magnesium deficiency, including certain diuretics, antibiotics, and medications used to treat cancer (anti-neoplastic medication) [12,14,19]. Examples of these medications are:

Diuretics: Lasix, Bumex, Edecrin, and hydrochlorothiazide
Antibiotics: Gentamicin, and Amphotericin
Anti-neoplastic medication: Cisplatin
Individuals with poorly-controlled diabetes may benefit from magnesium supplements because of increased magnesium loss in urine associated with hyperglycemia [21].
Magnesium supplementation may be indicated for persons with alcoholism. Low blood levels of magnesium occur in 30% to 60% of alcoholics, and in nearly 90% of patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal [17-18]. Anyone who substitutes alcohol for food will usually have significantly lower magnesium intakes.
Individuals with chronic malabsorptive problems such as Crohn's disease, gluten sensitive enteropathy, regional enteritis, and intestinal surgery may lose magnesium through diarrhea and fat malabsorption [22]. Individuals with these conditions may need supplemental magnesium.
Individuals with chronically low blood levels of potassium and calcium may have an underlying problem with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium supplements may help correct the potassium and calcium deficiencies [19].
Older adults are at increased risk for magnesium deficiency. The 1999-2000 and 1998-94 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys suggest that older adults have lower dietary intakes of magnesium than younger adults [6,23]. In addition, magnesium absorption decreases and renal excretion of magnesium increases in older adults [4]. Seniors are also more likely to be taking drugs