Raised Parathyroid Levels

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

Back at the end of June I had a lot of bloods taken,one of these included electrolytes. My calcium levels,both actual and adjusted came back as below range. 2.1 on a range of 2.2-.26. However my surgery didn't pursue it even though I queried it.

I've had a lot of health issues since last autumn,hence the blood tests. However about three weeks ago I was having a phone consultation with one of the Livi doctors who said my low calcium should have been investigated further and she ordered a PTH blood test for the parathyroid and bone profile and vitamin D.

They came back as normal,my calcium is still low but just in range at 2.26, vitamin D was 89. I didn't see the PTH test so assumed they hadn't bothered as the others were normal. However got a phone call from my GP this morning saying PTH elevated, needs retesting in 3 months.

Logged in to my online access and my result was 7.8 and the range ends at 6.9. I just wondered if any members had any knowledge of parathyroid issues.



[tattybogle]

no experience personally , but when looking into it i found parathyroid can be rather complicated to understand as to when out of range results are a problem, and when it is just the normal balancing action happening and not a concern .. but i found reading this site helped me get my head round it parathyroid.com/

[helvella in reply to tattybogle]

Agree that is the most comprehensive site on the planet.

There are a couple of links in my Vade Mecum (including that one).

helvella - Vade Mecum for Thyroid

The term vade mecum means:

1. A referential book such as a handbook or manual.

2. A useful object, constantly carried on one’s person.

Please don't get put off by the number of pages!

Nor by the fact it is targeted at people interested in thyroid issues. Much of its contents could be of use to many involved in health issues. Things like abbreviations, lists, general reference information.

And do keep up to date. I edit it frequently- sometimes trivially, sometimes extensively. If your copy is more than a few weeks old, please download it again.

In particular, it is not intended that you sit and read the document. Just that you download it and know you can look things up.

If there is anything you'd like me to add, let me know.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/vp5ct1cwc03bl...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/1P9...

[meme]

Crohn’s or kidney problems can cause PTH to be raised. Have you been tested for anything like that? Do you have a low calcium diet?Do you supplement D?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to meme]

Hi

I don't have Crohns or kidney problems . Recent bloods showed kidney function was fine. I do supplement vitamin D as I've had deficiency in the past. I am vegetarian so don't eat a lot of dairy. Maybe its diet related.

[meme in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Your GP needs to find out the cause of the low calcium and treat it . Usually with D and calcium. Keep pressing GP for a diagnosis. Have you been referred to an endocrinologist yet?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to meme]

Hi

No, have got a face to face with GP next week for unrelated issue so will mention it. Yet its a puzzle as my recent Vitamin D was good at 89. And my calcium this time was in range, low but in range. I have been googling it and you can have something called normocalcemic parathyroidism. Not common but not unheard of. I'm not sure what to think tbh.

[meme in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Your GP must test calcium, vit D and PTH from the same blood draw for a diagnosis. It’s the only way to see if you have a calcium problem.

[Morganalefaye in reply to meme]

I’ve had Crohn’s since the 1970’s, and I also have osteoporosis, although I’ve never broken a bone despite several quite bad falls. As I’ve been having a number of ‘joint’ issues for some time, I was finally was referred to a Rheumatologist who performed various tests, concluding I had CPDD and/or psoriatic arthritis. I had also my Parathyroid hormone tested and it came back 8.69pmol/l. I’ve also been put on high dose Vit D for five weeks, although my Vitamin D levels were well within normal range, as were my calcium levels. I’m confused! Grateful for any enlightenment.

[meme in reply to Morganalefaye]

calcium, vit D and PTH need testing from the same blood draw. It’s the relationship between calcium and PTH that’s important.

[Morganalefaye in reply to meme]

Yes, the tests were all taken from the same blood sample.

[meme in reply to Morganalefaye]

what are the results and ranges?

[Morganalefaye in reply to meme]

Here you go:-

Calcium 2.35mmol/l (Normal 2.08-2.65)

Adjusted Calcium 2.45mmol)

Vitamin D3 - 76.7nmol/L

Vitamin D2 - <5nmol/L

[meme in reply to Morganalefaye]

and your PTH and range?

[meme]

Has B12 and iron been tested? Low B12 could be the cause of low calcium. As you are a veggie it’s more difficult to get B12 from food and this can effect your calcium uptake as can low iron.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to meme]

Hi

My B12 is off the charts, literally, due to injections. Ferritin and iron panel were done, all good.