Carol A

Lisa,

In 1993 I was diagnosed with hperparathyroidism. Actually my GP was the one who found it during a yearly physical. After running a blood test for serum calcium, he sent me to an endocrinologist. There I did a 48 hour urnine collection test and was officially diagnosed with have hyperparathyoidism. I was placed on phosphorous treatment until they could operate, about two weeks. The low phophorous causes muscle weakness and extreme tiredness. I was told my phophorous was to the point that I probably would have collapsed in a week and not been able to get up. I had a wonderful woman surgeon who performed the para********ctomy. They found that my right lower parathryoid gland have a benign growth in it and the gland was removed. Before I had the surgery I was not allowed to have any dairy products at all. Believe they said there was a risk for kidney stones and gall bladder stones to form. After the surgery I was able to and encouraged to have all the dairy I wanted. I went through what they call Starved Bone Syndrome for a week or so, but that was normal. My bones were taking all the calcium that was leaching out of them into my blood and bringing it back into the bone. My major complaint during this time was that my fingers would go straight and my thumb would curl toward my palm. That was typical of the Syndrome. The only lasting side effects that I have from the surgery are that I do not have complete feeling in the area from my chin to the V in my collarbone. Again this is not unusual. There are a lot of nerves in that area and it is hard not get a few of them. I also, about 5 years later, developed hyperthyroidism. Again this is not uncommon. I was told by my endocrinologist that it was because of the surgery. The parathyroids are so small and tucked in behind the thyroid and there is bound to be some damage done. Usually does not show up right away. I am now on Synthroid 75 and feeling fine.

Hope this information was of help to you. Good luck.