High levels of calcium in your blood is caused by a tumor on one of your parathyroid glands. There are 4 parathyroid glands behind the thyroid. They control the calcium levels in your body.
If you have a tumor it needs to be removed. Otherwise, there can be a lot of issues in your body.
Make sure your doctor stays on top of this with you. When it’s time to get the surgery, do your research and find a surgeon who does more than 10 parathyroidectomies a year! My surgeon, Dr Norman was doing 10 each day when I saw him in Tampa in 2008.
Thanks so much for posting your calcium number. So when you had your surgery in 2008, was one of your symptoms osteoporosis? If so, how bad were your numbers and how are you doing with bone health now. If indeed you had osteoporosis, did you take bone meds before and after surgery? If so, could you please share what medication you took. Be well and thanks.
Thanks so much for posting your calcium number. So when you had your surgery in 2008, was one of your symptoms osteoporosis? If so, how bad were your numbers and how are you doing with bone health now. If indeed you had osteoporosis, did you take bone meds before and after surgery? If so, could you please share what medication you took. Be well and thanks.
That would have been 15-16 years ago. I don’t have any idea what my numbers were back then. I’m sorry.
I did have osteoporosis.
However, that turned out to be the least of the problems I had because of the parathyroid tumor. My brain was “frying” because of the calcium.
But here I am doing ok now at almost 73 years old. 👍🏼
Yes, if you have high calcium levels do not hesitate to get your parathyroid glands checked. My doctors let me go too long and I ended up having a small stroke!
I had a parathyroidectomy by Dr Norman in Tampa, Florida in 2008 and immediately felt better.
Thanks for the information. I meet with my surgeon October 25. I’ll let you know what I decide and what my numbers are from new blood work. It would be nice to just feel better. I’m glad it worked well for you.
That would have been 15-16 years ago. I don’t have any idea what my numbers were back then. I’m sorry.
I did have osteoporosis.
However, that turned out to be the least of the problems I had because of the parathyroid tumor. My brain was “frying” because of the calcium.
But here I am doing ok now at almost 73 years old. 👍🏼
Thank you for confirming that you did have osteoporosis. I'm sorry there were worse problems, but as you said, you're now doing ok at almost 73 and that is good thing. Best wishes for your continued good health.
My high level of calcium in the blood was discovered when I was going through some tests before a bone marrow donation in 2009, in my early 40s. I followed up at Mayo in Rochester and had 2 noncancerous parathyroid tumors removed there, although I had no symptoms I didn't want it to progress to a bigger problem. A bone density scan showed I was in osteopenia. I followed up with diet and exercise recommendations fairly well over the following decade. Just had another bone density scan in 2021 and I had progressed to osteoporosis in my lower spine. My doctor started me on Fosamax (oral tablet, once a week). I do worry a bit about the side effects, but as an active person who loves to ride horses, I was more concerned with the prospect of weak bones. So far so good, and I am happy with the choices I've made.
Thanks for the information. I meet with my surgeon October 25. I’ll let you know what I decide and what my numbers are from new blood work. It would be nice to just feel better. I’m glad it worked well for you.
After talking with the surgeon, I have decided to go ahead with surgery. A CT scan showed an abnormality in my left node. The surgery isn’t until after the holidays. I’ll let you know how everything works out.
My high level of calcium in the blood was discovered when I was going through some tests before a bone marrow donation in 2009, in my early 40s. I followed up at Mayo in Rochester and had 2 noncancerous parathyroid tumors removed there, although I had no symptoms I didn't want it to progress to a bigger problem. A bone density scan showed I was in osteopenia. I followed up with diet and exercise recommendations fairly well over the following decade. Just had another bone density scan in 2021 and I had progressed to osteoporosis in my lower spine. My doctor started me on Fosamax (oral tablet, once a week). I do worry a bit about the side effects, but as an active person who loves to ride horses, I was more concerned with the prospect of weak bones. So far so good, and I am happy with the choices I've made.
Good evening @terrimalloy and welcome to Connect. Our mission is to help folks share their experiences and learn from each other on this forum. And I have learned something from you....so thank you. I also am now happy with my choices. My Mayo endocrinologist also prescribed Fosamax for me and I have no side effects.
And I also love horses although I cannot ride anymore. How about puppies? Do you love them too?
Keep posting and helping others with their decision-making.
Chris
My new doctor did a parathyroid test on me and I did have hyperparathyroidism. This was after I had already been on prolia for a good 5 years. Thank you to this new doctor, I had one parathyroid removed at Stanford with Dr Lisa Orloff. It's been about 6 months and I'm hoping for some definitive reduction in my calcium levels and then to hopefully wean off of prolia to something else though I have had no side effects from the prolia other than it has helped build bone in my body. I am afraid to give up the prolia and transition as the alternatives seem to have too many unknowns. Suggestions?
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I think my calcium was 11.2
I do remember feeling awful most of the time. It was like having the flu…
High levels of calcium in your blood is caused by a tumor on one of your parathyroid glands. There are 4 parathyroid glands behind the thyroid. They control the calcium levels in your body.
If you have a tumor it needs to be removed. Otherwise, there can be a lot of issues in your body.
Make sure your doctor stays on top of this with you. When it’s time to get the surgery, do your research and find a surgeon who does more than 10 parathyroidectomies a year! My surgeon, Dr Norman was doing 10 each day when I saw him in Tampa in 2008.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks so much for posting your calcium number. So when you had your surgery in 2008, was one of your symptoms osteoporosis? If so, how bad were your numbers and how are you doing with bone health now. If indeed you had osteoporosis, did you take bone meds before and after surgery? If so, could you please share what medication you took. Be well and thanks.
That would have been 15-16 years ago. I don’t have any idea what my numbers were back then. I’m sorry.
I did have osteoporosis.
However, that turned out to be the least of the problems I had because of the parathyroid tumor. My brain was “frying” because of the calcium.
But here I am doing ok now at almost 73 years old. 👍🏼
Have a blessed day 🌻
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks for the information. I meet with my surgeon October 25. I’ll let you know what I decide and what my numbers are from new blood work. It would be nice to just feel better. I’m glad it worked well for you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you for confirming that you did have osteoporosis. I'm sorry there were worse problems, but as you said, you're now doing ok at almost 73 and that is good thing. Best wishes for your continued good health.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy high level of calcium in the blood was discovered when I was going through some tests before a bone marrow donation in 2009, in my early 40s. I followed up at Mayo in Rochester and had 2 noncancerous parathyroid tumors removed there, although I had no symptoms I didn't want it to progress to a bigger problem. A bone density scan showed I was in osteopenia. I followed up with diet and exercise recommendations fairly well over the following decade. Just had another bone density scan in 2021 and I had progressed to osteoporosis in my lower spine. My doctor started me on Fosamax (oral tablet, once a week). I do worry a bit about the side effects, but as an active person who loves to ride horses, I was more concerned with the prospect of weak bones. So far so good, and I am happy with the choices I've made.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsAfter talking with the surgeon, I have decided to go ahead with surgery. A CT scan showed an abnormality in my left node. The surgery isn’t until after the holidays. I’ll let you know how everything works out.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGood evening @terrimalloy and welcome to Connect. Our mission is to help folks share their experiences and learn from each other on this forum. And I have learned something from you....so thank you. I also am now happy with my choices. My Mayo endocrinologist also prescribed Fosamax for me and I have no side effects.
And I also love horses although I cannot ride anymore. How about puppies? Do you love them too?
Keep posting and helping others with their decision-making.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy new doctor did a parathyroid test on me and I did have hyperparathyroidism. This was after I had already been on prolia for a good 5 years. Thank you to this new doctor, I had one parathyroid removed at Stanford with Dr Lisa Orloff. It's been about 6 months and I'm hoping for some definitive reduction in my calcium levels and then to hopefully wean off of prolia to something else though I have had no side effects from the prolia other than it has helped build bone in my body. I am afraid to give up the prolia and transition as the alternatives seem to have too many unknowns. Suggestions?