Have most folks been checked for hyper parathyroid issues?

Posted by cl58 @cl58, Sep 16 5:52pm

I just got my first DXA - spine -1.1 but wrist -3.5. Last 5 panels show blood calcium above 10. My primary shrugged off questions about PTH check. Has anyone pushed to have the possibility of hyperparathyrodism checked?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for cl58 @cl58

@pat9892
I think I will ask for a consultation with an endocrinologist if she stays reluctant to order the test.

Jump to this post

@cl58
Thanks - I definitely will if her position doesn’t change at our next meeting.

REPLY
Profile picture for gently @gently

c158, I'd ask for a serum pth. Pth fluctuates throughout the day. Baseline is usually around 8am and I'd have the draw at that time.
You might want to listen to https://www.youtube.com/watch I like this presenter because he speaks quickly and holds some of the same opinion that I do, but you have to question everything you hear from anyone. And I as I always caution with Dr. Lucas because he is a good salesman, don't buy anything.
Is your doctor (endocrinologist?) recommending medication?
The endocrinologist I see didn't make me ask for pth, he orders them for all of his osteoporosis patients. I think you should have the pth test it is causing low wrist mineral content or not, so that you don't risk more bone loss.

Jump to this post

@gently
Thanks - I’ll check it out and make a note about an early draw. I don’t know if she has a PTH run on folks regularly - doesn’t seem so. I will continue to work on her.

REPLY
Profile picture for njx58 @njx58

My doctor tested my PTH before prescribing Tymlos. Tymlos can raise PTH, so if I had shown an excessive level before even starting meds, he would have prescribed something else. He also monitored PTH during my treatment.

Jump to this post

@njx58
I will definitely bring this up if she starts talking meds before getting the test. Thanks

REPLY
Profile picture for beanieone @beanieone

Hi @poodlemother1

I, too, was diagnosed with hypercalciuria about 8 months ago.

After OP treatment for about 15 years, my new doc ordered a 24-hour pee test. My numbers were in the stratosphere, so high in fact, that my doc couldn’t believe I had never experienced kidney stones. I had the same pee test with equally high results c. 2017 but my doc, at that time, never mentioned it. ???

Bottom line, my current doc prescribed chlorthalidone to correct the hypercalciuria. My fingers are crossed for the future. I’m not expecting any miracle, but preventing future stones while helping my bones is a plus.
I also drink at least 54 ounces of water every day.

It’s worth mentioning that I’ve had regular calcium and PTH labs and except for one little elevation in calcium, always normal.

Thanks for posting!! Cheers!

Jump to this post

@beanieone
First I would like to say that is scary that the first test was ignored. My fingers are crossed for you too. Thanks for giving me lots to consider.

REPLY
Profile picture for gently @gently

erinz, saved by the tooth. Teriparatide is the best and maybe by the two year endpoint, teriparatide will be commonly prescribed for additional years.

Jump to this post

@gently I'm sorry, but in all countries of the EU, Teriparatide can only be prescribed for a maximum 2 years during a whole lifetime, as the EMA has decided on that. So, in that regard, people in the US are luckier.

REPLY

Thanks, WilWeten, I that case I'm not moving. I'd been dreaming of Portugal.

REPLY
Profile picture for erinz @erinz

I think my endocrinologist must be pretty good and thorough because, during my first visit with her for osteoporosis, she ordered the thyroid tests in addition to the bone scan, as well as the test for celiac disease, the reason being that can cause a problem where your intestinal system is not able to absorb calcium and vitamin D. When the tests came back it it showed normal levels of thyroid and celiac, so osteoporosis is the official diagnosis. She prescribed an anabolic, Teriparatide, due to the fact that I will need a tooth extracted in the near future. A biophosphonate drug like Reclast or Evenity right now could interfere with that. She said she will prescribe Relcast in two years once the tooth problem is gone.

Jump to this post

@erinz Thanks for that useful info about your tooth! I have a tooth that one dentist has been saying needs extraction for 8 years, but my main dentist says to wait on it. When I am ready for OP meds then your tip might help me go straight to anabolic bone-building drugs like teriparatide (brand Forteo) without a big fight over anti-resorptive bisphosphonates.

I have made a note for the future. Time will tell if the tooth hangs on longer than I can use only HRT and LIFTMOR type exercises without meds. I am 10 months into HRT and monitoring my bone turnover markers and will get a DEXA after 24 months.

REPLY

Yes, I agree with that because it doesn't make sense to me to pull it until it becomes necessary. And I don't like the idea of having to pay for an implant after it's gone. My dentist said "one of these days that tooth is gonna start barking at you. and if you're on biophosphonates you'll have to stop taking them for awhile". But I have been getting X-rays every six months at the regular dental exams to monitor it and I'm not on biophosphonates.

REPLY

Lol! That's a good way to look at it!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.