Dangers of High Calcium: Hyperparathyroidism

TAMPA, Fla. (KFSN) -- If you know your cholesterol numbers and your blood pressure levels, that's good, but if you don't know your calcium level, you may want to ask your doctor. High calcium could cause major problems and you'd never know.

Kristie Rowe thrives on visiting her family. But during the last couple of years, "One day I'd be fine with energy, and the next day I'd be totally spent."

Besides energy, she started losing her hair. Kristie knew she had high calcium levels, but didn't know if that meant trouble for her body.

Kristie continued, "It got to the point when I asked my physician, so when do I need to have this addressed. And, his answer was, you're there."

Doctors discovered a tumor on one of Kristie's four parathyroid glands.

Dr. Jim Norman explained, "High calcium levels are more deadly and cause more health problems than high cholesterol. So everybody really should know what their calcium level is."

Also known as hyperparathyroidism, the hormone the tumor produces makes people feel tired as well as causing osteoporosis, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, kidney stones and kidney failure.

Dr. Norman continued, "A little over 75% are women. And, interestingly, it's women in the ages around menopause, so it's primarily between the ages of 45 and 60 is when most women get this."

The good news is, a 20-minute procedure and the tumor was gone.

"Came in for surgery that morning and by 11 am, I was on the road heading home," smiled Kristie.

"Sometimes within a day or two, sometimes a week or two, but life changes dramatically," stated Dr. Norman.

While Rowe's tumor was the size of a golf ball, she only has a faint scar.

"The next day that I started realizing some bone issues that I kind of chalked up to old age, I wasn't having any more. So, it really was such a pleasant relief," Kristie said.

"There are no stitches to take out, they peel off the bandaid, and they go out about their life expecting great things to happen," Dr. Norman said.

Dr. Norman advises you should always get a copy of your blood test and look at your calcium levels. If they're above ten, it's almost always a problem.

For More Information, Contact:
Julie Keith, Norman Parathyroid Center
julie@parathyroid.com

Ellen Fiss, Public Relations
efiss@tgh.org
(813) 844-6397