Help with kidney disease

I don’t know what sensipar is. I have CKD stage 4. My nephrologist monitors my calcium through my labs and makes adjustments to my meds as needed. Are you being cared for by a nephrologist and could you ask that provider for a recommendation regarding your calcium? Also have you considered getting input from a dietary specialist?

@cehunt57 Sensipar, I believe, is an RX drug used to treat parathyroid or hyperparathyroid in the blood. It may be the result of a hormonal imbalance and best solved by a hematologist or someone that deals with Hypercalcemia. This may be a condition for those on dialysis so a nephrologist could help as well.

It's my understanding kidney disease can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism. My PTH is 315. I am concerned about calcium absorption and will discuss it with my neph next week. From the NIH studies I read, it's confusing as to whether I'd need surgery to remove a nodule or can just take Sensipar or vitamin D supplements. It seems I'm not sure, PTH and calcium levels >600 are a real concern. I do not know if I have osteoporosis.

I have CKD. In my view, in addition to a nephrologist, my team of doctors is made up of a endocrinogist for diabetes and thyroid, a functional doctor to look at all the moving parts of CKD including weight loss, a dietitian to assist me with the correct diet and food management, and a PCP to administer labs every 6 weeks. My nephrologist cannot handle all these secondary issues as some specialized docs can, in my opinion. In conjunction with osteoporosis, I believe Mayo offers a calcium disorders specialty group, or perhaps an endocrinologist near you may also give you more definitive answers. For me, I need to depend others for confirmation for my CKD issues. Waiting to see a nephrologist takes time, and relaying to him/her what the others have said, makes a big difference. I wish you the best to find the best answer on the direction you choose, as it is a quite difficult decision. Lastly, I would think that an orthopedic doctor could help with osteoporosis if indeed that is the case.

I had high level of calcium in my blood. I was told it indicated possible problem with para thyroid. I had minimally invasive surgery at Tampa General The Norman Parathyroid Center.Two parathyroid glands were removed. Look up on internet.

Had my Neph appt. yesterday. She put me on Sensipar and said parathyroid levels of 315 are only slightly over 300 but thought I should take it and see if the levels come down. Blood calcium levels are perfect. My parathyroid is overworking because of kidney disease and this is common. I only have to take it 3 times/week and that can be reduced to 1/week. I'm not liking the side effects I see online. Surgery can create secondary hyperparathyroidism as well. I would not rely on the internet regarding this one. There are primary and secondary "hypo"parathyroidism and "hyper"parathyroidism. It is important to understand the distinction. The endocrinologist and Nephrologist should work together on this one.

@mrainne Yes, it is important when we have kidney disease, that all of our medical team is aware of changing situations and medications. Our nephrologists are usually able to interface and communicate with others about how our kidney situation is affected by procedures and medications. And, as patients, we should also be aware to question how a medication [oral or topical] may affect our kidneys.
Ginger