Aging mother with hyperthyroid/Grave's dis/possible hyperparathyroid

[pjs3604]

My mother is 73yrs old; recently diagnosed with hyperthyroid, possible Grave's disease, and possible hyperparathyroid. She is lifeless, refuses to eat due to diarhea/constipation, weighs 88lbs(down in 6 months from 130), severe tremors, nervous/almost paranoid, heat/cold intolerant, LOW blood pressure 84/48, abnormal EKG(not sure of the extent), very confused almost like alzheimer's, recurrent UTI's, sore abdomen. Family dr missed thyroid for several months, she went to ER 2X for extreme heart palpitations, nausea, anxiety attack, and UTI but thyroid was missed again. Finally, I took her back to dr (had to force her to go) and demanded that he help us. He started her on thyroid med on low dose. Three weeks later she was worse. Took her back to family dr because of fear she was dying and NO ONE was helping her. Dr. immediately recommended asap visit to Endocrinologist. Endo started her on Methiamazole 10mg 3Xday; atenalol (?) for heart palpitations.Endo says admitting her to hospital would not help that it will just take time and maybe a long time.  She does not appear to have a long time to wait. She has to be malnutritioned! She wont eat. We are VERY scared that appropriate treatment is still not being administered.  If you can provide some sort of advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[stella5349]

Move through the process quickly if this is a Graves autoimmune issue with the hyperthyroidism. An uptake scan to view the condition of the thyroid should be done now. The iodine I-123 may upset her more - so your must talk with radiologists on the speculation of hyperparathyroid too - to see if she qualified to have this test. an ultra sound "may" detect something and they do not use I-123 to view the gland.

[stella5349]

You need to get - and monitor tests.

First off - where is her calcium level at?

Serum and ionized calcium test
phorphorus test
Vit D

Get those ASAP - even if you have to go the emergency room now to have them done.

View over the www parathyroid com site immediately. This will provide extensive information on the disease.

You need to keep her nutrition up and with hyperthyroidism - if not being treated ( with the possible disease added of hyperparathroid) you WILL have to be her advocant and keep her eating.

High healthly good protein drinks must be given. Keep her eating yorgurt. You must keep her good calorie intake in - yet provide as many as possible through high volume drinks.

These symptoms all listed could contribute tohyperthyroid or both of them combined.

She needs immediate care - or at least a rule of or denied of the parathyroid issue.

When Hyperthyroid and hyperparathyroid are together - this is very serious - yet the tow are not associated as one disease and should be treated as seperate. .