Parathyroid

[AS14]

Hi everyone

Ive seen a number of posts from people with parathyroid problems and felt I had to comment.

Thyroid and parathyroid are entirely different things, para simply means next too and its a calcium disorder.

A thyroid doctor is not the doctor for this, it is endocrinology but its as different as thyroid is too diabetes. To be told its anything to do with thyroid is very wrong.

Parathyroid disorders can happen to anyone, but for anyone with low calcium problems following a TT its highly likely your parathyroids were lost during surgery. Parathyroid glands sit on the top of your thyroid and are no bigger than a grain of rice so can easily be removed during a TT if the surgeon isnt vigilant . Hypoparathyroidism following a TT is the biggest cause of low calcium.

It can be well controlled and and doesnt have to be a problem providing its treat by a calcium disorder doctor. Hypopara org have a list of excellent doctors .

hypopara.org

parathyroid.org

[Angel20]

Too much parathyroid levels creates high calcium levels leaving the person run down, irritated, forgetful, depressed, etc. These symptoms are relieved when the bad parathyroid glad is surgically removed. My sister has had one bad parathyroid gland removed, the doctors tried to control the high calcium levels, but after 2 years, now she needs another operation to remove another bad parathyroid gland, and a small goiter. Parathyroidism is completely different to Graves, or Hashimotos with these two diseases the issue is with the thyroid hormone levels, either too high or too low. With parathyroidism the bad gland creates high calcium levels.

[AS14 in reply to Angel20]

I have hypoparathyroidism but have experienced hyper like your sister, I can understand why she feels so ill. I hope she feels better soon.

There are a number of reasons why you can have parathyroid disease, but by far the biggest cause for hypo is aTT.

Ive seen too many people who have had aTT and been left with low calcium but told its no big deal and been left very unwell.

I was simply trying to help anyone who is in the same position as I was to understand a little better and find the right doctor

[Angel20 in reply to AS14]

My sister is not hyper or hypo, its just her glands that are bad, hence the operation to have some removed, before a couple of years ago she had one bad gland operated removed, and this year she will behaving another bad gland removed, the doctors said she may have to go on medication after the operation. Parathyroidism is not related to Graves Disease or Hashimotos.

[tattybogle]

Possibly not related to parathyroids at all, but does anyone know if calcium oxalate crystals in urine are related to high calcium levels ?

[t3rr]

Think you are wrong, a thyroid specialist covers both... i am hypothyroid, and also undertook surgery by a thyroid surgeon to remove a parathyroid adenoma.

[bantam12 in reply to t3rr]

You are right, endocrinology covers thyroid and parathyroid but to diagnose parathyroid we need an Endo who has experience with parathyroid diseases, many don't ! We also need a surgeon who has a lot of experience in parathyroid surgery, again many don't.

The 2 Endos I saw when I had hyperparathyroidism were as good as useless and it was an uphill battle to get to the surgeon who's first sentence to me was "you should have been referred to me a long time ago" !!

[AS14 in reply to bantam12]

My doctor said pretty much the same thing to me, I should of seen him straight away. He got me on to the right meds straight away and has kept me well since

[AS14]

Do you still have adequate parathyroid function ?, if it was only one you had removed then Id guess you have enough and not have need for treatment so yes a thyroid doctor could treat you.

However I lost three out of four and have next to zero function and been left with permanent hypoparathyroidism requiring lots of meds, a well controlled diet with regular blood tests and check ups.

I went into hospital to have my thyroid removed but came out with both hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.

If you read the guidelines from the hypoparathyroid society you will see they recommend a doctor who specialises in calcium disorders. I think you’ll find Im not wrong.

Several thyroid doctors have failed me, one even had to look up hypoparathyroidism on the internet. I went on to find professor of parathyroid and calcium disorders, and he has kept in far better health in this respect than any other doctor Ive met.

Low calcium can be very serious and if youve ever experienced severe tetany as I have many times, I know exactly which doctor Id be choosing.

[bantam12 in reply to AS14]

I only have 1 parathyroid left, surgeon thought I had none because he couldn't find any other than the one with the adenoma so I was put straight on high dose calcium but my levels eventually stabilised and I was able to come off them. I had previous thyroid surgery so no doubt lost the others then. I did have tetany after my pth op so know what it's like.