Elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH): How is it treated?

@riflemanz64 That is wonderful news! I am so happy for the both of you. For others with this disease can you share how it has increased her quality of life?

She had chronic fatigue, memory loss and brain fog. She developed osteopenia too. She was real cranky too. Her gerd is better now. She had a lot of symptoms. She is definitely better now. Her fatigue was really bad.

I recently had a parathyroid scan and it showed a possible parathyroid adenoma. I was wondering if anyone has had parathyroid surgery and could share your personal experience. Thanks.

Hi @rea721 As you can see, I brought your question over to a conversation about parathyroidism. I know that @riflemanz64 's wife had the surgery to remove 3 tumors. Perhaps he can attest to more of what she went through.

Can you tell us a little more about your situation? Have you been having symptoms/ how long/ and when was your scan?

Thank you for your reply. I have had high calcium for several years but my PTH levels were always in the upper normal range. I have osteopenia, fatigue,, and I had surgery for a large kidney stone in August of 2020. In December my PCP referred me to an endocrinologist. He told me that since my PTH wasn't elevated no surgeon would do surgery. In March I saw another endocrinologist for a second opinion. He ordered a scan and it showed 1 possible tumor. He is referring me to a surgeon. I have read information online about the surgery and am nervous about having it done. I would like to hear from others who have gone through the surgery that wouldn't mind sharing things like where they had it done and were there any complications or what would they do different, if anything.

My wife and I live in Milwaukee and her endocrinologist ordered a scan which showed only 1 tumor. I went online and read parathyroid.com with their surgery video. Great info. After reading their website I told her your going to Tampa Florida for your surgery. The Florida Dr. Called us for a consultation and told her the scans are wrong more than there right and she probably has more than 1 tumor. So we flew to Tampa in October of 2020 for surgery. They make you get a Covid test before surgery. Her surgery was for Friday the 16 at 7am at Tampa General hospital, the sixth floor is the Norman Parathyroid Center. That's all they do is parathyroid surgery. They give you light anesthesia like for a colonoscopy. They did her surgery and found 3 tumors, thats why they check all 4 during surgery and your thyroid. Make sure your Dr. Checks all 4. These guys are expert surgeons. My wife walked out of the hospital at around 12 noon and we went back to the hotel for lunch. 5-6 hrs and your good to go none of this staying overnight. Very small incision and you can't even see the scar now. My wife was like nothing happened to her. We flew back to Milwaukee the next day. We actually had fun going to Tampa and having her sugery there.
We still talk about it how whimpy this surgery was. Hopefully you don't get a general surgeon.You don't want them exploring your neck looking for these rice size glands. If you can afford to fly to Tampa that's where I go in a second if I needed surgery. My wife's pth and calcium are normal now. Good luck! Ask me anything you want about this.

My wife had no complications from this surgery only a little bit of a sore throat which she ate ice cream for. All the hotels on the website for the Norman Parathyroid Center have special rates and arrange travel to the hospital and back to the hotel. AAA+++ experience!

I'm glad things went well for your wife. Did she notice any difference in how she felt after the surgery? I have also read about the Norman Parathyroid Center in Florida and it sounds great. I know I would feel less nervous going there, but unfortunately I can't afford the online consult and I can't afford to make 2 trips to Florida.

My wife had severe fatigue, her bones were starting to thin, brain fog, bone pain. She feels great now and can eat all the calcium she wants. We did't pay a consult fee because they waived it due to COVID. It's only 1 trip to Florida. We stayed 4 nights and flew back on the fifth day. I'd ask them if their still waiving the consult fee. I have 100% confidence in the Dr.s at Norman Parathyroid Center. Two Dr.s due your surgery there. Good Luck and ask your Dr. how many have they done.

If you’re on fixed income or just can’t afford the phone consultation tell them you can’t afford it and they might lower it or eliminate it for you.