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Elevated PTH, normal calcium

Diabetes & Endocrine System | Last Active: Jan 24 1:48pm | Replies (5)

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@cehunt57

I’m sorry that you have been struggling with multiple symptoms and problems for a couple of years.

The PA that offered to review your records in search of the “whole picture” was kind to do so. But the ones you mentioned were from 2022. That is going on 3 years ago. Do you have anything more recent?

The main title of this discussion is “Elevated PTH, normal calcium”. By PTH do you mean parathyroid? It is surprising how many people confuse this with thyroid much less understanding conditions associated with parathyroid troubles! The similar names don’t help the situation. Even your endocrinologist deals mainly with thyroid problems.

That reminds me; you mentioned increased thirst and urination. Have you mentioned that to your endocrinologist? Not to alarm you more than you already are but those are hallmarks of diabetes.

A good endocrinologist is worth their weight in gold. Mine monitors labs (including calcium and vitamin D, thyroid and parathyroid function labs), everything related to my diabetes, my history of hyperthyroidism, my osteoporosis…..and consults with my nephrologist too. I have chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4). Perhaps a second opinion from another provider wouldn’t hurt. Why did you self refer to Mayo Internal Medicine (if you don’t mind me asking?) You have a lot going on. Is there more?

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Replies to "I’m sorry that you have been struggling with multiple symptoms and problems for a couple of..."

Thanks for your reply!! To answer your questions (I hope I catch them all):
--My original high PTH that I just discovered was in 2022, but the one my PCP ran (that came back at 143.3) was just last week.

--I misspoke. My endocrinologist treats primary hyperparathyroidism (I left out the para) in my original post. I am going to see if I can edit. However, she treats thyroid issues, diabetes, insulin resistance, PCOS, etc.

--Yes, I am looking into Parathyroid now. I have had multiple full work-ups for thyroid over multiple years. I do have multiple thyroid nodules, but they are just being monitored every 6-12 months.

--My A1c is 6.0. It had been around 5.6 for almost a year. It was up to 6.4 in May 2022 when I had gastric bypass surgery. I got it down to 5.2 and had lost 90 lbs. Both started creeping back up a few months after my symptoms started and I am back up 55 lbs and my A1c is now back to 6.0. But the thirst and urination didn't get better despite if A1c was high or low. I was tested for Sjogrens, but despite my ANA being over 5,000, my specific titers for everything are always negative (tested twice).

I self-referred to Internal because at the time (and really still), we didn't know what is going on with me. I am currently under the care of cardiology (high bp and tachycardia), Rheumatology (positive ANA evaluation), endocrinology, psychiatry, neurology, and gynecology (being tested for hormone levels despite having had a hysterectomy with ovary removal 15 years ago).

My psychiatrist is the first one that kept saying it was something systemic and no one was considering everything. I mentioned to him today about the elevated PTH and he lit up. Said that fit almost all the boxes. He also said my friend is correct that if they aren't measuring ionic calcium then it might be missed that my calcium was high. So I will almost definitely be looking into a second opinion. Just not sure where.

My current symptoms/issues are:
--confusion
--brain fog
--headaches
--severe fatigue
--nausea at times
--sudden, unexplained weight gain
--I cracked 3 ribs coughing so I suspect bone issues
--constant aches and pains
--excessive thirst and urination
--increasing depression (but depression for me is not new)
--stable/medicated high bp and tachycardia
--dry, brittle skin
--slow healing