raised parathormone levels,another scan?

[debsiwebs]

hello, I've just had my results for autoimmune disease after being diagnose hypothyroid. It does not appear to be Hashimotos, but my parathormones are raised and they hve booked me for another scan.I have mid/upper back pain with upper abdominal pain too, can this be linked and what do these results show....if anything?

[debsiwebs]

thankyou so much for your responses........it does actually make me feel not so alone. My GP woke me this morning to ask me to come in for more bloods tomorrow,to test for calcium and phosphorous? She'd had an elevated PTH result from my last weeks test, but said it wasn't put on ice soon enough, so was not able to give an accurate reading!  Trouble is, my consultant does not communicate with my GP, so things take longer and tests are duplicated. However, GP, who is very conscientious, is speeding up my referral with the endocrinologist. So meanwhile, I have no numbers to share with you, but next week I should have something to go on....surely?????

[Thypatient]

I agree with stella54349 (again!), in that I’m surprised they didn’t test the calcium (?).  But maybe they did and it’s normal.  On the other hand, either way they would usually talk to you about that aspect of things – since the PTH and calcium are so tied together.  You have several things going on so maybe they have a plan in mind for that part.

Honestly,…this time, sorry stella5349…but doing another u/s before moving onto the Sestamibi scan doesn’t sound that far-a-field.  (If you ask me, it doesn’t sound like a bad idea either, especially since the Sestamibi scan is in the category of nuclear medicine.  I don’t know about anyone else but when I hear the word nuclear – I want to head for the hills!)

Good luck with everything in January.  Keep us posted.

[bncrump]

I have many of the same symptoms you do...but I have not gotten my PTH blood work back yet. I also do not have elevated calcium levels as I have a Vitamin D deficiency.

I have the same upper abdominal pain and mine radiates into my sternum and under my left breast. I have had an Upper GI, HIDA scan (gallbladder), ultrasounds of my abdomen and pelvis and the DRs can find nothing. I also have pain in my back as well. So, really, you and I are on the same exact page. :(  

I agree with Stella, you should definitely talk to the dr about the nodule and find out exactly what is going on. If you can not get answers from this DR, I would go for a second opinion.

What other symptoms are you having? You are not alone here...I can totally relate. Hope you feel better and get some answers soon.

[stella5349]

You may want to take a look at a web site parathyroid.com - This would give you alot of information on the PTH levels.

Always though a serum and ionized calcium level blood test is done to determine IF a parathroid problem is detected. Did you have those along with PTH?  A phosphorus test sometimes is included also.

A repeat US scan to "look" at a parathyroid doesn't make sense either. Usually a special scan called as Sestamibi scan is done to check those glands out - even though they miss a problems too.

Now your doctor has concluded you DO have a nodule right? and the FNA was inconclusive? That usually means further decisions need to be made just on that - Surgery is the next step there.

If you undergo surgery for the inconclusive nodule ( which will require a pathlogy screening while surgery is being done) then they can explore the parathyroid gland that is questionable to see if a tumor is present there also and do the necessary things to rid that. Nothing is guaranteed with scans - only being in there really tells the situation.

I can't see why your physician is mokeying around with another scan with this questionable "nodule" being a great issue to your health.

Have you sought a second opinion - maybe from a qualified surgeon on thyroid and parathyroid issues.

I think I would do that.

[debsiwebs]

hello stella, thanks for responding.Back in august I had an U/S for a lump in my thyroid, she also did a FNA which was inconclusive.However, while she was scanning the lump, she found another larger one lower down my neck. Meanwhile my GP tested my blood and found Iwas significantly hypothyroid.I've been on levothyroxine for a month now. My consultant did tests then for antibodies, which proved to be normal. The other day I had a letter through from the consultant to say my PTH levels were elevated and he want me to have another U/S on what he thinks may be an enlarged parathyroid. I have lots of the usual symptoms, but the most troubling is this pain in my upper abdomen and mid back. I haven't had the results back, just the letter stating my PTH was elevated, so I don't know about my calcium. My  scans are for parathyroid and for abdomen in january. Have you any thoughts on this without the figures? Thanks, Deb

[stella5349]

What are you PTH levels and did you have calcium levels done? What scan are you doing?