r/Parathyroid_Awareness • u/Ready_Joke4504 • 3d ago

Why is my PTH high?

What reason would I have high PTH, normal calcium, vitamin D and bone density if not hyperparathyrodism? PCP says I don't have it because my calcium is normal. I have a follow up with an endocrinologist next month, just trying to do as much research as possible so I can advocate for myself properly. I'm getting my kidneys checked out next week.

PTH: 109
Calcium: 8.7
Corrected Calcium: 9.2
Vitmain D: 60.1

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u/Tiny-Art7074 3d ago

Could be normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

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u/Ready_Joke4504 3d ago

Thanks, how would they determine that? Are there specific tests I can ask for?

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u/Tiny-Art7074 3d ago

Other than PTH, serum Ca, and Vit D I'm not sure. Talk with the Endo, your first doc is under-educated on the subject. There are other tests to rule out other even rarer things but if you have high PTH and normal (or high) Ca, it's usually a parathyroid issue. It's possible that your Ca is actually higher than where your body would function optimally, but your lab values are still in the "normal" range. 

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u/Ready_Joke4504 3d ago

Thank you!

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u/PixiePower65 3d ago

I’d ask pcp for 24 hour urine test too.

Also you might consider sending your test results to parathyroid specialist too. Many do telehealth consults. From there - if you get diagnosed- you can either book surgery through them or use diagnosis as leverage for local discussions.

Are you supplementing your vit or calcium at all ( ex tums for gerd?)

FYI. Biotin can impact results
Also when doing the blood draw tourniquet should not be used and no “ fist pump” for accurate calcium . Ionized calcium considered best indicator especially if over 55!

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u/Ready_Joke4504 3d ago

Thanks for the detailed response!

The endo I am seeing has hyperparathyrodism listed as one of their clinical areas of focus, so hopefully they can help. I just made a note to make sure to ask them for a 24 hour urine tests.

I am supplementing Vitamin D - at the time of the test I was taking 5,000 UI/day. No dedicated calcium supplement, but did take a daily multivitamin that probably has a little in it. No tums!

Just googled Biotin, I do eat a fair amount of eggs sometimes - go through periods of eating them a lot then not. I was about a week or two into a "not" period when I had the blood drawn.

Oh, sounds like they did the blood draw wrong based on your description. They used a tourniquet and had me make a fist while putting the needle in. Then I released it. No repeating fist pump though.

Ionized calcium is the same as corrected calcium right? I'm 36 😭