Question:
Elevated PTH

I posted today on the VSG and the main board a question about elevated PTH levels. Can the elevated level be explained as a long-term complication of WLS?    — Jesse50 (posted on March 11, 2009)

March 11, 2009
I had elevated PTH levels (Parathyroid Hormone levels) as well... It is a sign that you are either calcium, phosphorous, Vit D or magnesium deficient (calcium related vits) and since vitamin deficiencies are considered a complication to some it depends on how you look at it...Vitamin deficiencies are preventable and maintainable AS LONG AS YOU GET LABS and take your vitamins! You have to know what your levels are and stay on top of them (keep copies and compare year to year)...The parathyroid hormone becomes elevated (hyperparathyroidism) when the body is lacking those calcium related vitamins. My PTH Intact was high and yet my calcium and phosphorous were fine...My vit D was a little low/deficient borderline and I was magnesium deficient...So I got on 50,000 iu of Vit D3 for 6 mos... Then lowered the dose after I reached high normals of vit D and take 800mg of magnesium daily and my PTH levels took almost a year to come down... Mal-absorption one of the reasons for GB surgery as well as is a complication if you are not managing your health by getting yearly vitamin labs and taking vitamins daily! I don't know if that answered your question...That's just my take on it
   — .Anita R.

March 12, 2009
Anita makes a good point. I too have Thyroid issues and recently had to have my dose of meds increased. I too am Vit D deficient and need to take calcium every day (I take Viactive chew ables) and a RX 1 time a week. This was all in play PRIOR to my surgery and I was told that since I am not a RNYer that it is related to the fact a lot of folks in the Northern states do not get enough natural sunlit daily so we must take Vit's. I had VSG done 10/27/08 so I could avoid the mal-absorption caused by RNY. So it would seem that your best answer will come form your doctor.
   — chell1957