Possible Hyperparathyroidism?

[Lynne1971]

I have been suffering from a host of unexplained symptoms for quite some time and keep getting the runaround from the doctors. They have diagnosed me with everything including depression. Symptoms include: Significant hair loss, memory loss, loss of concentration, weak muscles, twitching muscles, increasingly worse joint pain, irritable, loss of energy and just overall blah feeling. I recently had a routine blood test for over 40 and noted that my blood calcium level was 10.9. I found this odd as I do not take supplements, nor do I intake any type of calcium including milk products (other than what is found in daily diet). My father and brother both had this disorder. The only other significant results on my blood test were MCH 32.0, RDW CV 10.50, and Cholesterol 222. I am in the military overseas and the health care is not so great. If you think this needs further investigation I would like to know what tests I should have the doctor do as I know they will not think about this on their own. I would really like to stop losing my hair and get my brain working again! Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[Lynne1971]

Sorry to hear about the new discovery. I hope it is nothing of significance. At least they are being thorough. The doc did an ultrasound on me yesterday but didn't see anything. He ordered another blood test to confirm the levels and also check my phosphates. He said he is sure he will get relatively the same levels as my previous tests and will at that point send me for the sestamibi scan. I should get the blood results back by Friday.

Please send an update when you find out more...

[hooloovoo]

It is exciting when you finally know with some certainty what is causing your symptoms. Make sure the endocrinologist recognizes that the calcium level is a problem. Some don't think it's a problem unless it is over 12. With the PTH so high, though, this should be a no-brainer. I thought I would be having my parathyroid surgery soon but when looking at the ultrasound of my thyroid they found a nodule on my thyroid, so now I have to have a biopsy of that before they do surgery and see if it is cancerous. Kind of frightening. Best wishes.

[Lynne1971]

Update:

I finally received my lab results back for the PTH.

PTH was 152
Calcium  11
Vit D       12

I see the endocrinologist tomorrow and am very excited. Finally someone has taken me seriously about all of my complaints (although I had to self-diagnose and request the PTH test from the doctor). I can't wait to have surgery and feel good again!!! I am just sorry that it has taken so long to figure out.....

[Lynne1971]

I have gotten one test result back from a Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy Panel. My vitamin D level is 12 which I see is common in people with hyperparathyroidism. As I stated earlier, my calcium was 10.9. Didn't get the PTH and new calcium readings back but the doc said, looking over my records at my request, my calcium has been consistently high.

The vit. D issue would explain SO many issues...

Wanted to clarify the above. My dad and brother had hyperparathyroidism and have had surgery to correct it, having more than one gland removed.

Thanks for your assistance.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Your father and brother bothe have high calcium -- this may be a familial parathyroid problem or less likely a calcium receptor sensing defect.
Would repeat blood tests for PTH and Calcium as well as creatinine and do a 24 hour urine for creatinine and calcium to calculate the excretion of calcium (usually >2-5% in hyperparathyroid and <1% in the other more rare problem).