hypocalcemia after TT; how long will it take?

[onemoretime]

I had a modified neck dissection January 11 after diagnosis of papillary cancer.  I had a long surgery (4 1/2 hours, surgeon says loss of blood flow to parathyroids over this length of time can cause permanent damage) and I lost one parathyroid during surgery.  Since then, have been hypocalcemic and taking multiple daily doses of calcium and Calcitriol (1500 mg calcium, 3xdaily).  Both endo and surgeon say it can take up to a year for normal calcium production to resume.  I had RAI (200 mCi) Feb. 29 and started on Synthroid March 3.  Trying to fit all of the calcium doses around the Synthroid (no calcium 4 hours before/after Synthroid) is problematic.  Then endo called with results of blood work; he left a message telling me my parathyroid number was still low, without actually telling me what the level is.  He also said the RAI could delay the recovery of parathyroids (first time I'd heard this, haven't seen it mention on boards).  Woudl anyone share their experience with this, and possible throw me some hope that this may resolve?  Thanks.

[nissah46]

Had my surgery May06 for papillary cancer. Lost 2 parathyroids and have not resumed the use of the remaining2.  Still take 2000mg of calcium with 1000mg of vit.d daily, and still tests frequently come back with a low calcium count. Also lost my taste after RAI, but it only lasted about 4-5 weeks.  Good luck!

[onemoretime]

Thypatient-
thanks for the information, and the encouragement.  Now, if I could only get my sense of taste back after the radiation, I'll be a happy lady.

[Thypatient]

If ongoing blood tests show activity in your parathyroids, they should eventually return to normal functioning.  It does take time though.  Mine are coming back to just about normal now, 18 months after surgery.

I didn’t have cancer so I can’t address that specifically.  But I can tell you that in these months when I was going through other medical issues I noticed the healing of these glands slow down.  It would feel like a step back but the good news was that once the other issues were out of the way the healing would resume.

Maybe you’ll have the same experience, I hope so.