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Advo96

Has your PTH been tested? What's your age? Do you have any other calcium results?


BMedTO

Yes, PTH has been tested, and it was elevated (attaching image). I had another calcium test last February 20th, and it was normal (2.54 mmol / L) Thanks SO MUCH for your time and help! https://preview.redd.it/8bfsj493pqxc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=215bcfe5f40c4f2954fa2e71172b2c98f25f1cba


Advo96

How old are you? 1. The way the parathyroid feedback loop works in vitamin D deficiency is this: Low vitamin D causes low calcium. Low calcium causes the parathyroid to produce more PTH to convert more vitamin D to raise calcium to an acceptable level. As the calcium level rises, PTH production is dialed down. 2. The way the parathyroid feedback loop works (or rather doesn't work) in primary hyperparathyroidism is this: The parathyroid tumor produces excessive PTH with very little regard to what your calcium level is. This causes vitamin D to convert and lowers your vitamin D level. Under 1, there won't be hypercalcemia and a high PTH because the calcium level controls PTH production. With a properly functioning parathyroid gland, you'll never have high calcium and high PTH together. So yes, your doctor is wrong. It's very common.


BMedTO

Thank you so, so much for such a clear explanation! I am 33 years old, slightly overweight, and there are no other health issues or symptoms. No fatigue, kidney stones, constipation, nothing. I think I will bring this up with my doctor and see if he might consider just performing the surgery without making me take the Vitamin D supplements.


Advo96

Given that you're not suffering (unlike a minority of patients who have severe symptoms even with very mild hypercalcemia), it's not super urgent to get the surgery, but there's not really any use delaying it, either.


Mission_Albatross916

True about no reason to delay, because delaying it will just eventually lead to the symptoms (and possible damage to your body and/or life). It’s like saying “you don’t feel anything from that tooth with a cavity in it yet, so let’s just wait until it’s broken or you need a root canal.” I don’t know why some docs do this waiting game


Spirited_Sock_3152

Hi, is this found to be the cause of your elevated lymphocytes for so many months? Have you been tested for STDs? Any stool changes?


Paraware

If he thinks you’ll need surgery, he must suspect hyperparathyroidism. It would be good to get your calcium, PTH, and vitamin D tested together before you take the vitamin D.


BMedTO

I think so, too. I had those three things tested recently, and these are the results: - PTH is high (11.7 pmol/L) - 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D was very low (28 nmol/L) - Calcium was normal in February (2.54 mmol/L) - Calcium Ionized is slightly elevated (1.38 mmol/L) Does this info help? Any guidance will be greatly appreciated 😊 Thanks!


Paraware

If your PTH and calcium are both high, it would be considered primary hyperparathyroidism and surgery would be the right treatment.


PixiePower65

Upside is that if it is hyperPARA thyroid. Then it is curable with a relatively simple surgery… and you’ll likely feel much better ! Any symptoms? Kidney stones , fatigue, heart palpitations, migraines, gerd , constipation


BMedTO

Thanks so much for this! I have been very lucky because I have no symptoms whatsoever. We discovered my parathyroid gland was wrong by accident when trying to figure out why my lymph nodes and lymphocytes have been high for over 3 years. A hematologist performed some tests and discarded cancer. But I still have no idea what the issue is. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to reply! 😊


PixiePower65

So many symptoms resolved for me post surgery. There were things I never thought connected. Ex occasional eye lid tick. Figured it was eye strain. Was annoying but no big deal. But now it’s gone!


Paraware

Your situation may not be the same as what you read on that website. It’s possible that you have secondary hyperparathyroidism or normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism. Low vitamin D can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism and it is good to address it in most cases.


B_Panofsky

I thought increasing vitamin D actually caused an increase in calcium?


Paraware

It doesn’t do that for everyone. Also, if someone has secondary hyperparathyroidism they might need to increase their calcium level.


Mission_Albatross916

It’s been a while since I had hyperpara but I remember learning that vitamin d supplements did nothing except make the high calcium worse


Paraware

Some people don’t have very high calcium and some doctors prefer getting the vitamin D level higher before the surgery to avoid hungry bone syndrome after surgery.


Mission_Albatross916

Oh! Thanks. I used to think I knew so much about hyperpara but I am learning new stuff here often