Hyperparathyroidism and Bones

[Capan24]

I had primary hyperthyroidism in 2014 with two adenomas removed. It's been a long time since I've had my PTH level checked. I was reading that you should have ongoing annual check-ups of calcium and PTH levels to detect any long-term changes or recurrence of hyperparathyroidism. I feel fine and don't have the symptoms when I was diagnosed in 2014. Just wondering if those that have had hyperparathyroidism get Labs checked yearly? My next dexa scan is this August. Every year my bones seem to be getting worse. The last one showed osteoporosis. I know as you age and after menopause your bones do decline. I guess I just want to be proactive and make sure that my parathyroid is not contributing to this. I don't want to ever get to the point I was before where I had the symptoms of this disease. It was awful with the fatigue and I remember my blood pressure going up high. Has anyone had reoccurrence of hyperparathyroidism after having surgery?

[t1gernidster]

I had a rogue parathyroid gland removed in 2021 and my GP surgery checks my annual bloods for PTH and calcium as well as the usual things. Do you take any supplements to try to offset your osteoporosis such as magnesium, vit K2-7 and boron? Are you having enough calcium in your diet or supplement it?

[Capan24 in reply to t1gernidster]

I take two Citrical maximum plus and Vitamin K2 M-7. The citrical contains vitamin D zinc, copper and manganese. I supplement because I am eat vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free diet. I do believe I get enough calcium in my diet with the added supplement. I also lift weights three times a week and use a vibration plate to help with my bones. Hopefully my bones will have improved in my next dexa scan this August. Initially when I had my surgery in 2014, I got Labs per protocol after my surgery. But I believe, after a year I stopped having labs. I think that was partially because I switched doctors and after a certain time I thought I didn't need labs anymore. But after reading more about hyperparathyroidism and seeing my dexa scan results decline every two years, I thought I should get Labs checked to make sure that I don't have the start of my other two parathyroid glands failing. I don't have symptoms now like I had before. But it would be nice to know that the other two parathyroid glands are working properly. I also have Hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroidism).

[t1gernidster in reply to Capan24]

It would give you peace of mind if you got it checked even if you have no symptoms. One less thing to worry about.

[bluebird567]

Hi Capan24.

I had two parathyroid adenomas removed about 5 years ago. I'd never heard of hyperparathyroidism before and I couldn't believe how these tiny things cause so much havoc when faulty (although one did grow to 10 x it's normal size). Immediately after the removal of these faulty adenomas my PTH levels normalized however they did fluctuate over some months, and I didn't feel great then, before settling down again. I asked my doctor for repeat blood tests for various things about a year later as I have other health issues and I was pleased it was normal.

Now I am feeling exhausted again so my doctor is organising repeat bloods. I don't think it's mandatory to have annual blood tests for this disease here in the UK and I hadn't been followed up with them however, I do think it's a good idea to have bloods checked on a regular basis, especially if your body starts to tell you something isn't quite right. Wishing you well.

[Southerngirl2787]

I've had a parathyroid tumor, removed and told to check labs at least annually after first year, have quarterly labs until then. My doctor has been great about monitoring calcium, PTH and Vit D3 levels. I also encourage folks to watch bone density, as early onset OP was the first issue with the parathyroid tumor. It was there a long time. I now have 10+ spinal fractures, 4 spinal fusions, 2 nerve transfer surgeries, 2 CTS surgeries, and misc surgeries for other assorted things caused by that thing! My bone density improved pretty fast after the tumor was removed in Tampa FL at the Norman Parathyroid Center...but it wasn't good enough to stop the long term damage.

[Capan24]

I think by the time you have symptoms of hyperparathyroidism you have already lost a lot of bone. I think that's what happened in my case. Even when I had symptoms it took a while to get diagnosed. I first went to University of Michigan. Their approach was to just watch and wait the numbers of my labs even though I had symptoms. That's when my primary care doctor told me about the Norman parathyroid Center in Tampa, Florida. She had referred a few patients there and and the facility was very helpful. After my surgery, in time I felt like I had my life back.