Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is a medical rarity.I have been diagnosed with it. I will be having surgery. The success rate is over 90%. That said, let me explain what it is ( for my family and friends who aren't doctors and nurses) and what it isn't. Although "thyroid" is part of the word, it doesn't have anything to do with the thyroid other than the usual 4 parathyroid glands and the thyroid gland are both part of the endocrine system. These little glands get their name because they are in proximity (para)to the thyroid.The thyroid and parathyroid have very different functions. Here are some facts:"The 10 Parathyroid Rules of Norman" Refer to Parathyroid.com for more info if interested. There are no drugs that will make parathyroid disease better….None. --Read More-- Nearly all parathyroid patients have symptoms; 95% know it--and feel bad. Most of the rest just don’t know it until the disease is fixed. --Read More-- Symptoms of parathyroid disease do NOT correlate with the level of calcium in the blood. Many patients with only slightly elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone will have BAD symptoms and develop severe osteoporosis. --Read More-- All patients with parathyroid disease have calcium levels and PTH levels that go up and down. Fluctuating levels of calcium are typical of parathyroid disease. --Read More-- All patients with hyperparathyroidism will develop osteoporosis.  ALL. --Read more-- Taking Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, or Reclast (etc) will NOT help bones that are being attacked by a bad parathyroid. These osteoporosis drugs have no place in the treatment of parathyroid disease. --Read More-- Parathyroid disease will get worse with time in all patients. It will not stay the same, nor will it get better on its own. --Read More-- There is only one treatment for parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroidism):  Surgery --Read More--   Nearly all parathyroid patients can be cured with a minimal operation. The days of big dangerous parathyroid surgery are gone (so don't let your surgeon perform one on you!). --Read More-- The success rate and complication rate for parathyroid surgery is VERY dependent upon the surgeon’s experience. --Read More-- Symptoms - I have many except kidney stones( thank God for small favors)-Symptoms of Parathyroid Disease (Hyperparathyroidism) Loss of energy. Don't feel like doing much. Tired all the time. Chronic fatigue. Just don't feel well; don't quite feel normal. Hard to explain but just feel kind of bad. Feel old. Don't have the interest in things that you used to. Can't concentrate, or can't keep your concentration like in the past. Depression. Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. Bones hurt; typically it's bones in the legs and arms but can be most bones. Don't sleep like you used to. Wake up in middle of night. Trouble getting to sleep. Tired during the day and frequently feel like you want a nap (but naps don't help). Spouse claims you are more irritable and harder to get along with (cranky, bitchy). Forget simple things that you used to remember very easily (worsening memory). Gastric acid reflux; heartburn; GERD. Decrease in sex drive. Thinning hair (predominately in middle aged females on the front part of the scalp). Kidney Stones (and eventually kidney failure). High Blood Pressure (sometimes mild, sometimes quite severe; up and down a lot). Recurrent Headaches (usually patients under the age of 40). Heart Palpitations (arrhythmias). Typically atrial arrhythmias. Atrial Fibrillation (rapid heart rate, often requiring blood thinners and pacemakers). High liver function tests (liver blood tests). Development of MGUS and abnormal blood protein levels. Most people with hyperparathyroidism will have 5 - 6 of these symptoms. Some will have lots of them. A few people will say they don't have any... but after an operation they will often say otherwise. 95% of people with hyperparathyroidism will have 4 or more of these symptoms. In general, the longer you have hyperparathyroidism, the more symptoms you will develop. Not sure if you have a parathyroid problem? Download the CalciumPro app developed by our expert doctors. This is an app that can save your life, so spend the $5.99 and upgrade to the PRO-version. It will be the best app you ever bought.