High calcium levels? Parathyroid?

[scoutie]

I had some routine bloodwork done, and was told I have an elevated calcium level (10.5). They had me repeat the test and added a PTH test as well. Of course, I'm googling and worrying myself.

I'm waiting for the results that will probably come this afternoon.

Anybody else have this experience?

 

[X and G's mom]

I just had surgery on my parathyroid last week. It started the same as you, a high calcium level and low Vitamin D level (common in the Midwest). I then had a nuclear medicine test. It showed something on my left side. So, off to ultrasound I went. That confirmed it. Next step was the surgeon. The surgeon said these are almost never cancerous. He also said 95% of people that have this surgery are cured. So, I had surgery to remove the 'bad' parathyroid. I'm now taking calcium supplements and vitamin D supplements. Once your 'bad' parathyroid is removed the other 3 start to work again, but until they start to work you have to take supplements.

I have a scar on the front of my neck. I wasn't super happy about that...lol But, it was better to find what they found now than when irreversible damage was done.

 

[scoutie]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad you caught things early.

I appreciate you sharing your experience!

 

[John VN]

Boy does everything sound familiar.

I had same results with blood 2 years ago. Not only a parathyroid gone ballistic but also had a Goiter. Surgeon wanted to remove entire thyroid but my Dr. called him while I was in her office and told him she only wanted left half of thyroid removed along with the PTT on right side. PTT was huge as was the removed section of thyroid and things are great.

Taking D/K2 and iodine for thyroid but no calcium.

 

[lauradis]

No experience. Just wanted to say don't over think it aka worry to much.

 

[mom2rtk]

I hope everything is OK. Glad to hear others reporting it likely is.

Google can be your best friend and your worst enemy.

 

[minkydog]

I just had surgery on my parathyroid last week. It started the same as you, a high calcium level and low Vitamin D level (common in the Midwest). I then had a nuclear medicine test. It showed something on my left side. So, off to ultrasound I went. That confirmed it. Next step was the surgeon. The surgeon said these are almost never cancerous. He also said 95% of people that have this surgery are cured. So, I had surgery to remove the 'bad' parathyroid. I'm now taking calcium supplements and vitamin D supplements. Once your 'bad' parathyroid is removed the other 3 start to work again, but until they start to work you have to take supplements.

I have a scar on the front of my neck. I wasn't super happy about that...lol But, it was better to find what they found now than when irreversible damage was done.

This was my experience, as well.My calcium level sort of hung out about 10.2 for several months and then it jumped up to 11.5. At that point, there was no question about it, I needed surgery pretty quickly. High calcium can have serious consequences. It can even cause cardiac arrest. So, off to surgery I went. It turned out that 2 of my 4 parathyroid glands had large benign tumors in then. It was simple as just taking out the 2 bad ones and leaving the good ones in. Within minutes of removing the bad glands, my calcium was back down to 9.6.

Now, I just see my endocrinologist every 6 months and I have my calcium checked every 3-6 months. There is a small 1" scar at the base of my throat. It was swollen and reddened for a few months after surgery, which I hated, but it's been about 16 months now and the scar is very small and silvery, so it's not so noticeable. My vitamin D and calcium levels have been normal for a year and I no longer have to take calcium; I take 2000iu Vit D twice a week, only.

 

[X and G's mom]

This was my experience, as well.My calcium level sort of hung out about 10.2 for several months and then it jumped up to 11.5. At that point, there was no question about it, I needed surgery pretty quickly. High calcium can have serious consequences. It can even cause cardiac arrest. So, off to surgery I went. It turned out that 2 of my 4 parathyroid glands had large benign tumors in then. It was simple as just taking out the 2 bad ones and leaving the good ones in. Within minutes of removing the bad glands, my calcium was back down to 9.6.

Now, I just see my endocrinologist every 6 months and I have my calcium checked every 3-6 months. There is a small 1" scar at the base of my throat. It was swollen and reddened for a few months after surgery, which I hated, but it's been about 16 months now and the scar is very small and silvery, so it's not so noticeable. My vitamin D and calcium levels have been normal for a year and I no longer have to take calcium; I take 2000iu Vit D twice a week, only.

Thank you for this!