Hyperparathyroidism and hypothyroidism

[CarolynHatcher]

I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism and also hypothyroidism. I am waiting on blood work to see what my levels are for both. The symptoms I have are nausea, leg weakness that comes and goes, terrible anxiety, near fainting episodes and more. Can all these symptoms be related to hyperparathyroidism or is it anxiety from it?

[helvella Administrator]

On the parathyroid front, I have a tiny number of links which might help:

helvella - Parathyroid Links

Some links to parathyroid information.

Last updated 20/10/2024

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

I'd assume it is NOT anxiety. At least until proved otherwise. After all, there are potential treatments/approaches to organic issues and they need to be considered and tried as appropriate. How much worse to assume anxiety and ignore that it might be a real organic disorder - and so not treat it?

[CarolynHatcher in reply to helvella]

True..my endocrinologist said usually don't have symptoms unless calcium very high. My calcium fluctuates. I am waiting on blood work results to see where my numbers are both for hyperparathyroidism and hypothyroidism.

[Jazzw in reply to CarolynHatcher]

Endocrinologists often know even less about parathyroid conditions than they do thyroid conditions—so I’d take that comment about not expecting to have symptoms with a pinch of salt. Especially as you can actually have parathyroid issues without having elevated calcium.

I’m going to tag birkie as someone I know here who has experience with a parathyroid condition.

[CarolynHatcher in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you so much 💓

[bantam12 in reply to CarolynHatcher]

Calcium levels will naturally fluctuate with Hpth which is why it typically takes several years to definitely diagnose. Symptoms do get worse when calcium is high but often there are no symptoms or ones that are easily explained on other things.

It took 2 years for constant blood tests and scans for me to get a diagnosis and surgery, the scans were inconclusive which isn’t unusual but luckily I had a good surgeon who went ahead anyway.

Be careful if you are prescribed high dose vitd as this can send the calcium much higher which you don’t want, Drs don’t usually understand hpth very well so it can be a battle.

[CarolynHatcher in reply to bantam12]

I was told to take 2000 iu vitamin D by internal medicine. I probably should stop it.

[bantam12 in reply to CarolynHatcher]

First line of treatment is usually to supplement Vitd as levels are low in hpth, occasionally that is the cause of the deranged calcium and parathyroid so it will correct it but if the cause is an adenoma it won’t.

Drs may prescribed huge loading dose injections which can be a problem but if you are taking it orally then at least you can stop taking them if it causes levels to rise. As long as you keep an eye on your levels then follow your Drs advice, you never know it might do the trick.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to bantam12]

bantam12 'Be careful if you are prescribed high dose vitd as this can send the calcium much higher which you don’t want, '

Does this rise in calcium cause any specific symptoms, and if so, could they be 'wrongly' attributed to or mistaken for something else (e.g. thyroid)?

[CarolynHatcher in reply to RedApple]

I was diagnosed also with hypothyroidism..waiting on blood work to see levels

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolynHatcher]

Yes, I understand. Am just wanting to clarify whether the symptoms of too high calcium could be mistaken for thyroid issues. We sometimes get people who are convinced their symptoms are thyroid related when their blood work suggests otherwise. 😊

[CarolynHatcher in reply to RedApple]

I have high calcium, high PTH, and parathyroid adenoma picked up on scan..waiting on ENT apt

[bantam12 in reply to RedApple]

Hypercalcemia can cause numerous symptoms ( not everyone will get symptoms) and these are often attributed to other causes which does delay diagnosis. My Endo at the time was convinced I was overmedicated on Levo so all my symptoms were down to that 🙄 And of course the usual vitd deficiency, anxiety , stress, depression words thrown around but they were also non starters, eventually she ordered a 24 hour urine test which sealed the deal as the results were obvious so after 2 years she referred me to a surgeon and he was furious it had taken so long !

The majority of Drs will never have come across Hpth so they don’t know how to test and diagnose it, makes it a long and frustrating process.

[CarolynHatcher in reply to bantam12]

It took me 5 years to get a diagnosis. Internal medicine missed it even though calcium was high and i was symptomatic at that time. I told her it all feels like it is in my neck whatever is going on. Go figure. My new family doc picked it up. It has been a long road and still continues. At least I now have a referral gone in to ENT. Now it's just a waiting game. As for symptoms before diagnosis, I had high heart rate, high BP, countless visits to ER as I thought I was having a heart attack and no one picked it up. Symptoms have gotten worse but add in anxiety on top of. It's been, like I said, a long road.

[Jazzw]

You may also find this site helpful: parathyroiduk.org/hyperpara...