Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Hyperparathyroidism - surgery or monitor?
PTH 10 / Calcium 2.65 / Vitamin D 22 (47yrs old)
Just saw an endocrinologist who suggests calcium levels not high enough to benefit from surgery and wouldn't alleviate any symptoms of fatigue, depression, constipation, lack of concentration, abdominal/muscle/kidney pain, feeling generally unwell.
Q1. Is this true?
Q2. If I do not have surgery now, will this prolong the inevitable or make my symptoms worse as time goes by?
Q3. How high do levels have to be to surgically intervene? If my levels are nothing to worry about, why would my doctor have referred me to a specialist in the first place?
He suggested I take vitamin D supplements and test levels again in 12mths. I've read vitamin D supplements may exacerbate hypercalcemia or cause hypercalciuria in patients with PHPT.
Q4. Should I take the vitamin D supplements anyway because levels are so low?
Q5. Will taking vitamin D supplements lower my PTH and blood calcium levels?
Q6. Should I get a second opinion?