Hyperparathyroidism??: My T-scores are... - Bone Health and O...

Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK

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Hyperparathyroidism??

My T-scores are -2.8. I also have severe erosive osteo-arthritis. My question: how can I test that one of my parathyroid glands is (or is not) overactive (hyperparathyroidism) and therefore makin too much PTH hormone which then causes our bones to release calcium constantly into the blood stream.

Another question: I had an emergency partial hysterectomy at age 30. Did this prevent sufficient production of estrogen and thereby cause my osteoporosis?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions!

Birdbones

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17 Replies

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Met006 years ago

First, those t-scores aren't bad! You definitely should get your parathyroid level checked, and this can be done by your practice nurse (assuming you're in the UK) by a simple blood test - it's one of a number of things that we all should have checked when we're first diagnosed with osteoporosis, but it seems that many GPs aren't aware of this. I had to specifically ask for it to be done once I discovered it was a basic check for any underlying causes of osteoporosis. Your parathyroid level, combined with your blood calcium level, will tell your GP whether you're parathyroid glands are operating as they should.

BirdBones• in reply toMet006 years ago

Thanks SOOO much! I am going to ask my doctor/USA to check my parathyroid level checked. No one here ever mentioned it. Again, very grateful for your reply!

HeronNS6 years ago

This is a good time for you to get a handle on what's going on with your bones. Still lots of time to improve things without being pressured into taking medications. This might interest you:

healthunlocked.com/boneheal...

veriterc6 years ago

Shows how invaluable is this Forum. I was treated for cancer at a hospital in UK that called itself 'world class'. They gave me DEXA scans as they said O. was often a side effect of cancer drugs, but when O. was found they told me there wasn't any treatment! I went to Italy where they told me what could be done. But I never had the blood test you said we should. However, last month I was seen by a Spanish doctor working in NHS, who immediately ordered parathyroid blood test. Hope after Brexit we still get these European doctors to keep our post-cancer care up to scratch!

• in reply toveriterc6 years ago

veriterc - I hope we still have NHS...

veriterc• in reply to6 years ago

Apparently we've still got Matt Hancock as Minister. Wasn't he the one who announced at his first press conference that he use a private GP via an App?

• in reply toveriterc6 years ago

veriterc - I don't know but let's 'hope for the best, and prepare for the worst' as far as any improvement to NHS...

BirdBones• in reply toveriterc6 years ago

could tell what "O" is? I am finding this forum invaluable for my situation. Thanks!

HeronNS• in reply toBirdBones6 years ago

I assume OP = osteoporosis.

Fran576 years ago

Hi. I discovered, by doing my own research, about hyperparathyroidism!

A simple blood test, alongside a calcium level one.

Please ask if you want any more info. I had the operation and am waiting for improved scores hopefully when I have another Dexa scan next year.

Kind regards,

Fran (UK)

BirdBones• in reply toFran576 years ago

What were your T scores before the operation? My T score is -2.7 My Dr says I have to start treatment with drugs which I am scared of from my research reading online. Running out of options as my hand x-rays showed "severe erosive osteo-arthritis"

HeronNS• in reply toBirdBones6 years ago

Osteoarthritis is not the same as osteoporosis and i doubt the medications are relevant. Treatment would be different. However if you are told to take nsaids use them only if you must because they interfere with cartilage regeneration. Gentle physiotherapy could be helpful.

Fran57• in reply toBirdBones6 years ago

Hello.

Sorry for the delay in replying. Have you made any decisions yet?

My T scores were Total hip -2.4

Total spine -3.5

Total neck of femur -2.7

As I think I said before, my surgeon said the osteoporosis medication would have made no difference because of the hyperparathyroidism .

I rechecked his post operation recommendation and he said to have a DEXA scan after three years because that will show the best improvement to my scores. So, although I am extremely curious to know what the scores are now, I have to wait until May 2021 !

Having read everything I can, and listened to everyone here, I am really glad, for the moment, that I have not taken any medication.

Good luck to you; I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Fran 😉

BirdBones• in reply toFran576 years ago

thanks so much!!! How did they detect the hyperparathyroidism? What kind of test do I ask for so I can determine if the cause is hyperparathyroidism or other. My doctor told me that it is "age-related osteoporosis; secondary osteoporosis workup was done in the past was normal including checking PTH-I. Your calcium levels are normal every time I do metabolic panel". Do you think that means I do NOT have hyperparathyroidism? and therefore the conclusion is that I need to take the dreadful medication (which frankly scares me)??? Thanks for any comments you might be able to send me. Greatly appreciated!

Caz286 years ago

Hi, I went through early menopause (40) and have had hyperparathyroidism too, both were contributing factors to osteoporosis. Have you any other symptoms of a parathyroid problem? Discuss with your GP who will arrange a blood test to check levels x

Fran576 years ago

Hi. I just asked my GP to check my parathyroid hormone level ( a simple blood test)... it was just slightly raised. But I read that this, in conjunction with a slightly raised blood calcium level, indicates hyperparathyroidism.

I went to see a consultant surgeon and he ordered a sestamibi scan and found I was right. I had a small adenoma in one of my parathyroid glands. I had it removed and levels went back to normal. He told me that no amount of medication would have changed my bone density and indeed agreed that the medication is awful!

I have to wait until May 2021 to get another Dexa scan because that’s when my bones should be at their best.

Of course, yours may be nothing to do with hyperparathyroidism, but worth a check...and, from what I’ve read, I certainly would try lots of other things before taking any osteoporosis medication.

Please let me know how you get on.

Best wishes, Fran 😉

Houseelf• in reply toFran576 years ago

Mine was raised and I was told this was hyperparathyriodism?! They did lots of investigations but couldn't find a cause as both my calcium and vitamin D levels were fine. In the end the GP suggested my body was under a lot of stress. Reflecting back, the times it was very high was when I was extremely stressed. After two months of having moved out of the city into the country and it went back to normal and the symptoms disappeared.