May 21, 2011

Hyperparathyroidism and my concern with IVF

I have a health condition called HYPERPARATHYROIDISM. Only handful of my IRL friends know about it. I know most of you have never heard of such a condition. Calcium glands in my body is overacting and causing it to pump in too much calcium in my blood. Symptoms and complications of hyperparathyroidism includes osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and kidney stones. Hyperparathyroidism is really RARE, happens to 1% of total population, versus 10% for people with THYROID problem. You think lots of calcium is good right? Not for people with parathyroid disease.  Everyone have 4 parathyroid glands in your neck. Each acts like individual thermostats. So when calcium level gets low in your body, the gland detects it and pump more into the body. When the body has enough level of calcium, then it turns off.  For those with Hyperparathyroidism, most of them (over 85%) only have 1 bad gland that turn into tumor. BUT! I had 2 tumors, which is only 10% of all patients. After all, that make me 1/10 of 1% of total population!!
Anyways, I notice the problem 5 years ago, had the 2 tumor removed 1.5 years ago. Post-op blood test showed that I still have high calcium and that wasn't good news. My local Endocrinologist tells me that I need another surgery, but my surgeon in FL worries that it might create HYPO parathyroidism ( will be on meds for the rest of my life) and that will be more dangerous to me and will make my life miserable one. The surgeon said as long as I feel great everyday and have lots of energy, he wouldn't make me go through another unnecessary surgery.  He is a world leading parathyroid surgeon/researcher and I weigh more on his opinion than my local doctor. After my years of researching,  I think I have better knowledge of this parathyroid problem than many endocrinologists. Once time my local doctor was going to prescribe me calcium pills for "testing purpose" when I already have high level, which would have put me in a serious health condition! People can be hospitalized for that.

In Every May, I go to regular blood work as my annual check up. But I am hesitant to do that this month. I assume that calcium level is still slightly high but it might have gone down since last check up in Oct 2010. I really don't want to see the result in the report. I worry because people with hyperparathyroid have high rate of miscarriage rate. And their vitamin D is always LOW (and I am no different). Vit D is important when you are pregnant for baby's development. I can't necessarily take Vit D supplement just because I have Vit D deficiency. Vit D helps absorb calcium into your body, so taking the supplement will increase my calcium level even more to dangerous level.

I know that as we get older, we can't expect to be 100% healthy. All we can do is try to do GOOD to our body. There is no medicine to my hyperparathyroid. Unlike many of people who suffer from this, my symptoms are minimum, almost nothing. I am thankful for that. But as much as I want to get pregnant, and If I do, I will be a "high risk" because of this. I'm just living with it. There are things in life that I have absolutely no control of.  Hyperparathyroidism and Infertility.

2 comments:

Kokoro said...

You just refreshed my memory about you going to FL for the surgery.. I almost forgot about it and was thinking like you are the healthiest person since you are so active! Thank GOD your symptoms are minimum!

>>>I worry because people with hyperparathyroid have high rate of miscarriage rate. And their vitamin D is always LOW (and I am no different). Vit D is important when you are pregnant for baby's development.>>>I still pray you will get pregnant and have a health baby!!!

Love

Unknown said...

Thinking good thoughts for you! xoxo

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