high calcium in blood

[giraffesCantZumba]

in hosp for asthma and been told bloods have shown this. Now am getting lots of bloods done and no idea whats going on!

[giraffesCantZumba]

now calcium come back better. She wondering if nebs affected it! Now testing parathyroid hormone or something. God fed up!!!

[DaisySteiner]

Hi, I had exactly the same thing happen when I was admitted with asthma a few years ago. It was actually completely unrelated to my asthma (I've never heard that it can be related to asthma medication) and I did have a problem with my parathyroid gland. Not a big deal at all, it's not that uncommon to get a benign tumour on a parathyroid gland which can cause an increase in calcium levels. Sometimes they do a quick operation to remove it, other times they just monitor it.

[giraffesCantZumba]

what happened in your case daisy?

[DaisySteiner]

Well my case is quite unusual because although they thought initially that it was just down to a parathyroid tumour, an operation to find the affected gland was unsuccessful. Occasionally parathyroid glands can be overactive without there being a tumour because of a few very rare genetic conditions. It turned out that I do have one of these, but in addition I also appear to have a parathyroid tumour in a gland that is in the wrong place! I'm currently waiting for another operation to try and find and remove it.

I've never had any symptoms which is apparently very common, and would never have known a thing about it if I hadn't been admitted with my asthma.

[giraffesCantZumba]

Well results werent back in time for discharge so will find out later in week. Worried now!

[DaisySteiner]

No, please don't worry. As I said it's usually no big deal at all. Parathyroid tumours are almost always benign. My problem's a bit of a pain because I have to go for blood tests every so often, but honestly it's not something to worry about. I was totally freaked out when I found out my calcium was high but it's never caused me any problems.

[DaisySteiner]

How's your asthma by the way?

[giraffesCantZumba]

The idea of needing another operation, more time off work etc! Minds racing ahead and not even had pth results. Going to google calcium and athsthma and see if I can find myself a nice wee reason to keep myself convinced with for a few days! Its ok. Peak flow down and still coughing and wheezey olaugh but not breathless anymore thanks.

[DaisySteiner]

I think most people don't bother with an operation though unless they're calcium is really high. I actually quite enjoyed my operation, it's normally done as a day case and then I just had a day or two lazing around being waited on Didn't even have any pain. Sorry if I'd made you more anxious Glad your asthma has improved.

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

I have had this and the condition is called hyperparathyroidism. The use of the word tumour whilst possibly accurate is unnecessarily scary. You have four parathyroid glands in your neck and what has most likely happened is one has gone into overdrive. It can cause health problems in the long term but they can investigate in a number of ways (monitoring calcium in your urine, a straightforward scan) and can then you can decide if you need it removed. Simple non painful surgery, day case. Not cancer, nothing to be worried about.

But if you've been feeling under par, you may find a miracle once it's removed as having high calcium can make you feel veery tired and irritable. Lots of people have this and it's rarely diagnosed so you are so lucky you have had it caught!!!!

[DaisySteiner]

Well that's me told off. Sorry if I've worried you more giraffes. Hope you feel better soon.

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

Daisy, sorry didn't mean to come across telling off! Was just trying to reassure Giraffes. There are lots of things which are technically tumours but aren't cancerous and people hear the word and get all worried when they don't need to. My son had something which was technically a tumour and we and the doctor all agreed we would never mention that word, to have my scientifically minded son ask all sorts of questions and then say oh I see, a tumour!!!!

[giraffesCantZumba]

google has given me same conclusions! Oh well will wait for test results. Really hope dont need an op. Thanks for info.

[giraffesCantZumba]

ok I know I am an idiot and people have huge things to deal with but I am in tears over this. Health just been a nightmare recently. Want a big cuddle and a cry but dont really have anyone

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

Oh Giraffes have an unmumsnetty hug ((())).

I don't know what other health problems you have had but it may be that a lot of them are caused by this...it can make you feel rotten. So this tiny op may make all the difference for you?

[giraffesCantZumba]

Thanks. Need to phone hosp tomo morning to get pth results.

[lisad123]

hope you get some good news today