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Endocrine Disorders
Posted by beaniefiend to Disease/Illness, Mar 17, 2010 9:54pm
Hi my name is Riann. I had two surgeries when I was in my twenties to remove two of my parathyroids because they were producing too much parathyroid hormone which tells the body to release calcium. I also had to take extra calcium following the surgeries in an effort to build my bone density back up. I had osteopenia which is when the bones are not normal density but are not yet osteoporotic. Every six months or so my calcium levels as well as my parathyroid levels are checked to make sure that my hyperparathyroidism does not occur. Currently, I have been taking thyroid medication because my thyroid level is too low.
The parathyroid glands regulate the level of calcium in the body. Not only does calcium provide strength for our skeletal system, it also provides electrical energy for our muscular system and our nervous system. Hyperparathyroidism is when the parathyroids which sit underneath the thyroid gland(four parathyroids) begin to produce too much parathyroid hormone resulting in symptoms such as: heart palpitations, calcium depletion in the bones, depression, headaches, bone pain etc.. The cause of hyperparathyroidism is not known. The only cure for hyperparathyroidism at present is removal of the affected parathyroid gland.
I feel that a show on endocrine disorders(diseases) would be very beneficial because there are many who would not know the symptoms of these types of disorders nor their treatment.
jacastle
Mar 22, 2010 11:53am
I too had this surgery, and have since been diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1), a tumor disorder affecting the entire endocrine system. Many of my family members, including my father and brother, have also had this surgery and been diagnosed with MEN1. My brother and I have also both had thyroid cancer. People who have had their parathyroid glands removed have to take calcium with vitamin D every day for the rest of their lives. When calcium levels get too low tetany occurs, which is a very painful reaction to very low calcium levels, causing the body's muscles to spasm and constrict. Many doctors and paramedics misdiagnose this as hyperventilation. And tetany left untreated can be deadly. A lot of doctors know very little about MEN1. A show on endocrine disorders, other than diabetes, would be extremely helpful and informative.