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primary hyperparathyroidism

What does it mean when your Calcium is 10.7 mg/dL and your Albumin is 4.9 g/dL?

There are two main issues here. First, what does a calcium of 10.7 mg/dl mean? And second, does the albumin change that? Let's address the calcium first. If you are over the age of 30, then that calcium level is high. The most common cause of high calcium is primary hyperparathyroidism. To make that diagnosis, we first have to look at a calcium and PTH level together. If your calcium is hig...

Diagnosis primary hyperparathyroidism Vitamin D Albumin

I am 69. My calcium levels have run consistently 10.8 range for the past 2 years. It has been 11.9 and 11 as recently as a few days ago. My PTH was 86 in September 2021 but is normal range now. However I feel really bad. Fatigue, difficult concentration, tingling lips, constipation, absolutely no appetite with weight loss, nervous internally and eye sight changes. Could I have parathyroid issues even with a normal PTH? I have seen doctors but they just say they don't know why my calcium is high or what is causing my symptoms. My whole life has changed. I'm desperate for answers and where to find them. Please help.

Your lab results indicate primary hyperparathyroidism. You are experiencing the classic symptoms of the disease, which should improve once you get it treated. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is based mostly on calcium and PTH levels, but you do not need to have a "high" PTH to make the diagnosis. The important thing is the calcium and whether the PTH is appropriate given the ca...

Diagnosis Hypercalcemia primary hyperparathyroidism

Can excess parathyroid hormone cause loss of energy?

Yes! One of the most common symptoms of parathyroid disease is low energy. Excess parathyroid hormone (PTH) usually causes elevated calcium levels. Both the elevated PTH and elevated calcium levels cause problems throughout the body. The most common symptoms are often non-specific: fatigue, low energy, insomnia, aches and pains. These symptoms can be debilitating. Excess PTH can also lead t...

Symptoms primary hyperparathyroidism

My blood report reads: Calcium 10.4, PTH 85.3, Vitamin D is 58.5, Albumin 5, Calcium Ionized 5.19. I am 58 years old. I have stopped taking 5000mg of Vitamin D, tho my doctor said I should have an MRI to see which thyroid needs to be removed. Does this make sense? Thank you very much.

Thanks for writing. Your blood tests indicate that you have primary hyperparathyroidism. You have a calcium level that is high for your age, with a high PTH. Most of the time, primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by a benign parathyroid tumor, or adenoma. The treatment for this is removal of the parathyroid tumor. Sometimes, imaging can show which parathyroid gland is diseased. Your doctor...

Diagnosis Imaging Hypercalcemia primary hyperparathyroidism

I'm an adult female and have had elevated serum calcium for a few years ranging from 10.4 - 10.8 (mg/dl), however my ionized calcium from the same blood draws has been either normal or only the slightest bit above normal. My PTH ranges from normal to in the 80s (pg/ml). Which calcium is more accurate in my case - the serum total or the ionized? All other serum values are normal (metabolic, phosphorus, D.) Thank you!

Great question! Usually when we check calcium levels, we are checking the total serum calcium. This is the level that is included in a metabolic panel (basic or comprehensive), one of the standard lab tests that you will have if you are simply getting "routine labs." Calcium is present in your blood in two forms: 1. Ionized, or "free" calcium, that is floating around as a calcium ion. 2. Bo...

Diagnosis Hypercalcemia primary hyperparathyroidism

My calcium is 10.5 mg/dl, my PTH is 53 pg/ml, my Vit D 25-hydroxy is 21 ng/ml. My doctor wants to start me on Vitamin D daily. Everything I’ve read says not to treat the low Vitamin D, if this could be primary hyperparathyroidism. Not sure what to do! How is taking Vit D going to lower my calcium level? I am 47 years old.

Let's summarize your results: Calcium at 10.5 mg/dl is elevated for your age. PTH at 53 pg/ml is not suppressed, which is inappropriate for the elevated calcium level. Vit D 25-hydroxy at 21 ng/ml is on the lower side. These numbers strongly suggest primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). In the context of pHPT, taking Vitamin D supplements is not the recommended course of action. Why? Bec...

Hypercalcemia primary hyperparathyroidism Diagnosis Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency