Parathyroid hormone levels?

Hi everyone! I just heard back about my 9 month post-op bloodwork and apparently my Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) levels were out of the normal range. I had no idea what this was so I looked on the web and now I'm a bit apprehensive. Has anyone has problems with this? They said they would send me my lab results and then I need to make an appointment with my primary care doctor to discuss it. They didn't think it was a problem but worth getting checked out. This has me all freaked out! Deanna

Hey girl.. u didnt say if they were high or low so It is kind of hard to give you an answer. this is what I found. A parathyroid hormone (PTH) blood test measures the level of parathyroid hormone to help diagnose hyperparathyroidism or to determine the cause of abnormal calcium levels in the blood. PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands, which are four pea-sized glands embedded in the thyroid gland. PTH regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. If the blood calcium level is too low, the parathyroid glands release more PTH. This causes the bones to release more calcium into the blood and reduces the amount of calcium released by the kidneys into the urine. In addition, vitamin D is converted to a more active form, causing the intestines to absorb more calcium and phosphorus. If the calcium level is too high, the parathyroid glands release less PTH, and the whole process is reversed. Abnormally high or low levels of PTH can affect kidney function, bone integrity, and calcium and vitamin D levels. Tests for calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood may be done at the same time. Since we dont know what the deficit is it is hard to say what is going on. If it is low it basically means that it will steal calicium from the bones to replace it in the body. If it is to high it could be an absorption issue which transpires in the small intestine. There are reasons for concern but I think that seeing your doctor and getting the right course of treatment is advised. It could be nothing at all.. many labs can be like that.. if it is high u may just need to take more calium. So dont get yourself all freaked out til you know the answer. ok.. and please let us know what your doc says.. ok..

Carla, do you know cool you are?! You are such a sweetheart! I don't know if the levels were high or low either. She just said "not in the normal range" but she is mailing me the paperwork and then I'll be able to see. I was really glad all my other levels were great though! Deanna

mine is high they told me to take additional calcium, since the round 2 blood tests came back high as well i'm not sure what they are going to do for me (us) but i see the surgeon again in March so he'll give me a plan of action then i suppose. Hugs, ANDI

Hi Andi! Wow, we both have elevated PTH! I found out my level was 81, and the normal range is 15-65. At 6 months post-op, my level was 63. I already take a double dose of calcium each day so now I wonder what they'll do?! Glad we can go through this together! Deanna

I'm at 96.9 but they didn't seem to freak out although now i feel like i'm going to 'have a moment" hugs, ANDI

Hi Deanna There is no point in worrying until you know more once you've seen your doctor. Then you are not shooting in the dark at 'demons' that may not even be there. Once you have more information, you can deal with it appropriately. By the way, I read the title of your post as Paranoid hormone levels!!! Made me laugh when I realised my mistake, sorry, but I had visions of your hormone levels going crazy and making you paranoid about nothing (like hormones do sometimes) Anyway, I hope it's something that is easily fixed. Keep us posted

mine is high too, what does it mean? ANDI

If they are high it basically means that you are not absorbing enough calcium in your small intestine so it is stealing it from other places. The correction would be to take more calcium. you doc may also prescribe a prescription calcium pill as appose to the supplimental ones we buy now. It is not a hugh problem but one we might expect to see because of our our small intestines have been rewired and we may not be absorbing enough of the vitamins that we are taking. thats what I expect your doc to tell you anyway. Hope that helps... Carla

Mine is off as well as my iron and I have to take extra B12 not including my monthly injection. I have to take bonevia and calcium every day...