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What Causes High Calcium Levels In Blood?
Question: I've been diagnosed with PTH tumors back in 2010. eventhough my urine calcium wasn't abnormal, they decided to do an exploratory surgery because despite being on a healthy diet, exercising daily i had been continuously gaining an average of 30lbs a month! I even when to the mayo clinic in Minnesota. They couldn't find anything wrong either. THAT night in my hotel room, XXXXXXX shudder i read file after file to see if i could find something and i did! MY PTH levels were at 72! they sent me home with a letter to a general surgeon suggesting an operation to rule out PTH tumors. instead each tumor was the size of Lima beans! they removed all 4 tumors. my problem is the medication they have me on. It doesn't feel like it's working anymore. she has me on levothyroxin 50mg.
Brief Answer:
Maybe you need a dose adjustment of levothyroxine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question carefully.
I can understand your concern.
The normal range for PTH is 10-65 pg/mL.Your PTH level was above the normal range but it was not too high.
Your test results were atypical because Parathyroid cancer is almost always associated with extremely high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (typically in the thousands) as usually is associated with extremely high blood calcium levels (over 14 or 15).In your case the calcium was normal.
A parathyroid tumor is very rare. It is often mild and not very aggressive.
The treatment depends on the size of the tumor, its location, and whether or not it has spread to other tissues.
The parathyroid gland and the half of the thyroid on the same side as cancer (thyroid lobectomy) is typically removed.
For the follow-up, the amount of parathyroid hormone and calcium in the blood should be tested regularly for years to determine if the parathyroid cancer is recurring (coming back).
From your weight gain and the treatment with levothyroxine, i can deduct that you may have hypothyroidism.
As an endocrinologist, I need to know if you have done the thyroid function tests (TSH,freeT3, and freeT4) after the surgery? (these elements are important to understand your actual condition and if you need a dose adjustment of your levothyroxine.
Waiting for your response.
Regards
Maybe you need a dose adjustment of levothyroxine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question carefully.
I can understand your concern.
The normal range for PTH is 10-65 pg/mL.Your PTH level was above the normal range but it was not too high.
Your test results were atypical because Parathyroid cancer is almost always associated with extremely high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (typically in the thousands) as usually is associated with extremely high blood calcium levels (over 14 or 15).In your case the calcium was normal.
A parathyroid tumor is very rare. It is often mild and not very aggressive.
The treatment depends on the size of the tumor, its location, and whether or not it has spread to other tissues.
The parathyroid gland and the half of the thyroid on the same side as cancer (thyroid lobectomy) is typically removed.
For the follow-up, the amount of parathyroid hormone and calcium in the blood should be tested regularly for years to determine if the parathyroid cancer is recurring (coming back).
From your weight gain and the treatment with levothyroxine, i can deduct that you may have hypothyroidism.
As an endocrinologist, I need to know if you have done the thyroid function tests (TSH,freeT3, and freeT4) after the surgery? (these elements are important to understand your actual condition and if you need a dose adjustment of your levothyroxine.
Waiting for your response.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Yes i have done all of these twice a year at least, or more frequently if my meds needed to be adjusted. but when i moved cities, my new doctor wouldn't prescribe me my levothyroxin. she said it was because my T3 and T4 were within normal range. because of my insurance I couldn't change primary doctors or go to an endocrinologist without a referral. I gained an additional 110lbs! So my start weight was 105lbs at 5'5". Now i weigh 279lbs!!! I'm on a strict diet because my husband had celiac disease so we both eat gluten free, exercise daily because of his heart issues yet nothing is helping me lose the weight gained...i have 3 incisional abdominal hernias now that need surgery, but the 2 surgeons I've gone to say i have to lose at least another 100lbs before the will touch me! i was at 298 before they increased my levothyroxin. is there any other medications for hypothyroidism that can help me lose weight a little more quickly?
Brief Answer:
Levothyroxine is not used for weight loss.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear
I appologise for the late reply.
Levothyroxine is a thyroid medicine that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.
I have not understand why you use levothyroxine and please attach the report of you last thyroid function tests.These elements are important for me,to clarifie your actual problem and treatement.
Important note for you:
Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.
Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of levothyroxine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss medications or appetite suppressants.So,be careful.
My advice for you ,if you want to lose weight is to insist on diet and exercise and if this is not enough,you can try with the weight loss pills.
The recommendations suggest to prescribe these drugs only if your BMI is 30 or higher, or if it's at least 27 and you have a condition that may be related to your weight, like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Can you tell me your actual BMI?(I can calculate it if you give me your actual weight in kg and height in metres.)And you haven't mention in your medical history if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Hope this is helpful.
Regards.
Levothyroxine is not used for weight loss.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear
I appologise for the late reply.
Levothyroxine is a thyroid medicine that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.
I have not understand why you use levothyroxine and please attach the report of you last thyroid function tests.These elements are important for me,to clarifie your actual problem and treatement.
Important note for you:
Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity or weight problems.
Dangerous side effects or death can occur from the misuse of levothyroxine, especially if you are taking any other weight-loss medications or appetite suppressants.So,be careful.
My advice for you ,if you want to lose weight is to insist on diet and exercise and if this is not enough,you can try with the weight loss pills.
The recommendations suggest to prescribe these drugs only if your BMI is 30 or higher, or if it's at least 27 and you have a condition that may be related to your weight, like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Can you tell me your actual BMI?(I can calculate it if you give me your actual weight in kg and height in metres.)And you haven't mention in your medical history if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Hope this is helpful.
Regards.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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