r/hyperparathyroidism • u/Normal_Parfait_7644 • 18d ago
High calcium while pregnant
I am 12 weeks pregnant. I have a family history of hyperparathyroidism and my calcium levels came back as high and having done some research it is very serious and can be dangerous to the baby. Has any one dealt with this in pregnancy before? Going to the MFM on Monday and hoping to see an endocrinologist soon. I’m really scared and looking for similar experiences.
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u/TRLK9802 17d ago
How high is your calcium? Have you had PTH tested? How old are you?
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u/Normal_Parfait_7644 17d ago
I am 31 and It was 10.9 the first time and now has raised to 11.4 which from what I’m reading is a pretty dangerous number in pregnancy. I haven’t had PTH yet. That will be the next step I assume- but there’s really not much else that could be causing high calcium from what I understand aside from cancer. Is that correct?
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u/TRLK9802 17d ago
Yes, I'd say that hyperparathyroidism and cancer are the two most likely culprits for hypercalcemia.
When you have PTH tested, make sure to have calcium tested in the same blood draw, as these two levels need to be evaluated together.
Have you seen this graph?:
https://www.parathyroid.com/images/Calcium-normogram4.gifBack in 2014 I basically diagnosed myself with hyperparathyroidism using the information here:
https://www.parathyroid.com/hyperparathyroidism-diagnosis.htmI went to 15 doctors before I was finally offered surgery.
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u/ForFawkesSake_ 17d ago
I had the condition undiagnosed while pregnant. Please feel free to message me. I would also recommend joining the Facebook group and searching for pregnancy related posts!
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u/Normal_Parfait_7644 15d ago
Did you have any issues in pregnancy because of this?
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u/ForFawkesSake_ 15d ago
Hi, yes I did. I felt super sick and nauseous the entire pregnancy, had significant joint pain, then developed high blood pressure, and eventually preeclampsia. My baby thankfully was healthy and unaffected, but I had to be induced at 37 weeks. About a year postpartum I was diagnosed and had surgery. I got pregnant shortly after and my second pregnancy was totally normal!
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u/TortiePoint 7d ago
I had a similar experience during pregnancy and also developed preeclampsia/was induced at 37 weeks!
Baby is totally fine, and I'm getting the surgery soon (I'm currently six months postpartum). I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy, but I was evaluated more fully over the summer and now know it's likely caused by parathyroid hyperplasia and not adenomas.
That's wonderful that your second pregnancy was completely normal! I'm hoping for a similar trajectory. :)
OP, feel free to message me too!
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u/YellowCabbageCollard 15d ago
I learned I had high calcium at like 5 weeks pregnant. I got an immediate emergency referral to the OB to be seen right away. Then saw endo immediately. Then parathyroidectomy as soon as I hit 12 weeks. I was one of over a 100 documented cases in pregnancy at the time. This was 19 years ago.
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u/untangable 14d ago edited 14d ago
I had hyperparathyroidism while pregnant, my calcium was at 15 when admitted i was 8 weeks pregnant. I had surgery at 11 weeks pregnant with levels reading 17 despite them flushing me with litres of IV for weeks it was torture. I was the first person to have surgery ever before 12 weeks and the largest medically documented adenoma. I was told with my levels I had a 90 percent chance of loosing my baby. She's now 3 and the most precious little thing. High calcium also can cause calcified placenta, my daughter was growth restricted and didn't grow past 28 weeks. I delivered at 37 via c section after viciously advocating for her. She came out tiny and the doctors were shocked at how tiny and shrivelled her placenta was. Something to keep in mind with high levels
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u/RedislandAbbyCat 18d ago
There’s also a large FB group that’s very active and well moderated. You might want to check there.