Parathyroid? Bone/Joint Pain/ High Calcium Blood Level
Comments
-
Anx, I don't remember which came first, but I have not taken an AI so don't know if Anastrozole would affect calcium levels. A quick search showed me a possible correlation between Anastrozole and calcium, so it might be a good question for your doctor or even to start another thread here with that specific question. Some Anastrozole users might have input but are not reading this thread.
Navy, I had not heard of an ionized calcium test before. I don't have a need for it now that my calcium levels have remained normal since my adenoma was removed, but I'm sure others will find that information helpful. Thanks.
0 -
Ceanna, some research indicates that hypercalcemia increase the risk of cancer diagnosis specially in male.
Navy, why different labs have different normal range? If you are 10.4 in one lab, are you also going to have 10.4 I in other lab that has different normal range?
0 -
Lilyishere: Wow thank you for sharing your experience with the thyroid nodule and biopsy. That info is good to know what to look for on the neck.
Anx789: I did have a consult with a rhumatologist. Nothing really showed up at all as I recall. So now I have been referred for my parathyroid to a endo dr. My calcium is high but my albumin is 5.2 too. And protein is on the higher normal side. So not sure what it all means but my onco dr is most concerned with my alk phos level. So will see what the endo dr says. I am in the process of getting the appt. Waiting for them to call me for a appt. But my onco dr isn't really worried about my calcium level even tho it is on the high end of normal, 10.2 I think.
ceanna: Thank you for that info. Interesting. Well I would be happy if my bone density would go up instead of going down. And calcium level used to be in the 9's so maybe this is nothing. But my elevated alk phos is coming from my bones we found out. So could be why my calcium is elevated too? Not sure. Don't know what is causing this. But I think we plan to do a CT if nothing shows up on any tests the endo dr orders.
navy1305: Thank you for the info on the ionized calcium test. I think I had heard about that somewhere but this is good info to know about.
Hopeful to get answers soon. Have a good weekend everyone!
0 -
anx, here is a link that talks about normal range varying by lab. I always came across a similar explanation when trying to review my bloodwork results in detail (before MBC). https://labtestsonline.org/articles/laboratory-test-reference-ranges
0 -
Thanks seeQ, that link is very informative
0 -
I had a endocrinologist appt. just updating here. My calcium appears to have gone down to 9s again. Alk Phos still elevated. Bun is elevated and bun/creatinine is elevated. globulin is elevated now too. He’s ruling out a bunch of stuff. Waiting for more results. But dr doesn’t think it’s my parathyroid looking at bloodwork. Will see what the other tests say.
Hope everyone is having a great week.
0 -
JonsGirl, thanks for the update. Sorry you still have to wait to find out what's happening but glad the doctor could rule out a few things. Hope you are doing well meanwhile. Please keep us updated as you find out more. All the best.
0 -
ceanna:
Thank you for your support. All the other tests seemed ok. This might just be menopause but supposedly memopause bone loss isn’t supposed to be painful. So next test they will be doing a nuclear bone scan study or a pet scan. My onco is checking with my insurance company to see if they will pay for a pet scan. Otherwise will have the other scan. And may have CT of pelvis abdomen chest too. Will see what insurance approves.
0 -
JonsGirl, glad to hear the doctors are willing to follow up with you. All the best to you, and please keep us updated as you can.
0 -
ceanna: thank you for your support. I got a pet scan scheduled for next Tuesday. I think that's even better than a bone scan. Cause it looks at everything so won't need to have bone scan and ct if I have a pet scan because it sees everything.
Hoping the joint painI’m having is just menopause.
0 -
The scans look at things in your body in different ways. I had a CT scan last Friday. Today I had a PET scan to follow up since there were areas of concern on my CT. But there was a non-contrast CT done today as part of the PET scan. When I asked about it, the technician said it's to get a perfect line-up of the body. When I was first diagnosed with two simultaneous cancers in 2018, I had CT and bone scans, each looking for different things.
I'm curious if your insurance covers things like PET scans when it's the patient requesting it? Mine is very strict about medical necessity.
0 -
Hi Alice:💐sorry to hear about all the scans. Not fun. Thanks for sharing that information about ct and bone scan and pet scans. Interesting.
I was told pet scan sees bones and everything a cat sees too. That’s what I think I was told. So I don’t understand all this. Lol.
I’m not the only one requesting the pet scan. Although I asked my dr if we could try to see if insurance would pay for it. Otherwise I’d probably have to have ct and bone scan. So just one scan this way I think.
My doctor referred me for the pet scan. Supposedly my insurance didn’t require authorization for the pet scan. I was surprised but maybe it’s because I had cancer before and never had pet scan? My insurance is pretty good about covering stuff I need done. Ruling out Mets etc for this pain I’ve been having.Hope you get answers with the scans you’ve had too! Have a wonderful weekend!
0 -
Hmm, you must have good insurance. Mine always asks for authorization before paying for scans (or part of, I had a large portion to pay for today's PET scan) even though I've had more than one type of cancer.
0 -
interesting! Thanks for sharing that info. Yes I guess my insurance is good insurance. I have a insurance app that I can search what prices are(my amount I’d have to pay)on a area map. So I chose a cheaper area hospital to have the pet scan at. My cost will be 265 I think. Not too bad I don’t think? I would think a pet scan is expensive but not sure.
Hope you get results soon. I hope all is ok for you.
0 -
Well I had blood work done to prepare for upcoming endocrinologist appointment in August. It's early but i worked it in with other bloodwork I get regularly. Both PTH and calcium are in the normal range somehow. PTH was 80, high end of the range is 88. Last check was 150. Calcium 10.2, shows as within the range, has been as high as 11. Has anyone experienced these wide swings? I was sure I was going to request a referral for a surgeon, or at least scans to look for the problem parathyroid(s). But now I have no real reason to??
0 -
Rosie24 - I think they should look at the history of bloodwork, not just the latest test. I thought I read anything over 10 for serum calcium is high if you're over 50 (not sure if you are). FWIW, my Sestamibi and u/s were negative. I have my phone consult with the parathyroid specialist this afternoon - I guess I'll find out then if we're going to move forward with surgery.
0 -
Rosie, I had wide swings which gradually got higher. Anything over 10 for calcium is a concern to be explored. Like SeeQ, I had normal Sestamibi and ultrasound, but ultimately specialist found an para adenoma. Immediately, actually during surgery when they tested again for blood calcium, it was in the 9s, and has remained there ever since. Endocrinologists tend to want to watch and wait, but you know your levels each test, and if other things point in the direction of less bone density (I had early osteopenia which is reversing) and beginning kidney issues) be sure to force the issue with your docs.
0 -
Well, I just finished my telephone consult with the Pth specialist. We're moving forward with surgery, so now I'm just waiting for the center to call me with scheduling and insurance information. Serum calcium was 10.7 yesterday, had been 10 just two months ago.
Rosie - the surgeon was talking about calcium serum levels and mentioned mine had been over 10 several times in the last year, and had been as high as 11, which was a clear indication of hyperparathyroidism. Each blood test is just a snapshot. I think I'd push for the consult based on history.
0 -
SeeQ, all the best for a successful surgery. I hope your calcium levels drop as quickly as mine did after the removal of one para. Please keep us up to date on your surgery schedule. The surgery procedures take a short time, but they do check calcium levels during surgery to determine how many of your paras they need to remove. Once your level drops, they know they've found all involved, so that takes a little more time in surgery room itself. My recovery from that surgery was very quick.
0 -
ceanna, thank you. I'm looking forward to having this resolved. I'm most concerned about my bones (osteopenia), but I'm hoping for some other improvements. I guess we'll find out.
0 -
Hello Jonsgirl and all the wonderful people posting! I have had parathyroid nodule since about 1994. They tested it and said just monitor it. I have done that with the exception of some years , maybe 5, ( I know waaaaay too long) I have been checking it yearly since 1994. On last visit last year, my endocrinologist said go to every 2 years now. Originally I was told it was a nodule on thyroid not parathyroid, and we had to do this test to see if it was "hot." Supposedly it wasn't and dr said monitoring only. This is JCP from probably a year ago when they did ct scan of lungs after xray showed few things. I was a nervous wreck. I think it was elaktasis with a calcified nodule in the hilar area and possibly something else. They eventually found out that I had the one calcified nodule in hilar area. After going back to compare xrays and CT scan that I forgot I had done in 2013( when I had chest pain while teaching and went via ambulance to ER) fun..fun!
Do I need to checkup labs for the things most are mentioning here due to possibility of ca? Thyroid or breast? I had br ca Oct of 2005 right after I was married and my son and I moved from where I had lived 30 years. All of my family and friends were there, too, that I left . It was especially hard not having Mom so nearby. I could walk to her home! I didnt know a soul except for my new husband and little son! Both were great though! It was tough on both of us being just married only since July, and leaving my family and friends in this situation didn't leave me much support here! Anyway, saying hello to Jonsgirl and all beautiful hearts here! ❤🦋🐞😎 I wanted to also acquire a little background on this topic. I have to remember how to private message someone when needed. I pray 🙏 that everyone of you does well, and some day we won't have to fight this battle anymore due to a CURE!
0 -
RE: It's interesting that I have OSTEOPENIA and my calcium blood level is high. Strange.
NOT that strange...usually means it is not as much in the BONE , but in the bloodstream ( not good) Wish I had known this many yrs ago - I have osteoporosis now. I hope this helps. Knowledge is power!0 -
purple32 - have your docs checked your PTh (parathyroid hormone) levels? I had two bad glands removed last year and my calcium level dropped right back down to where it should be. No more of my body taking unnecessary calcium from my bones. I added calcium supplements, as instructed, and I'm hoping for improvement on my next DEXA scan.
0
