Most parathyroid tumors cause symptoms - many of which are vague and often attributed to other problems. Many patients tolerate their symptoms, thinking that they are something they simply "have to live with." Parathyroid tumors, however, will cause a shortened life-expectancy in all patients by 5 or more years! The good news is that parathyroid tumors can be removed by a quick surgery with only a short, mild recovery.
Vague Symptoms
- Fatigue
- poor concentration, hard to focus for more than a few minutes
- poor memory, more forgetful than normal
- lack of interest in things that used to stir interest
- poor sleep, trouble falling asleep, frequent awakenings
- daytime fatigue, often without relief even from naps
- irritability, moodiness
- decrease in sex drive, libido
- recurrent headaches
Specific Symptoms
- joint aches and pains
- bone pain - arms and legs most common, but can be any bone
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- depression
- thinning hair
- heart palpitations
Consequences
- osteoporosis or osteopenia (loss of bone density)
- kidney stones
- kidney failure
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- high liver function tests
- Afib (atrial fibrillation, need for blood thinners, pacemakers, etc)
- higher rates of stroke
- higher rates of heart failure
- diminished life expectancy
If you get the idea that elevated calcium levels can effect a lot of things, you're getting the right idea! While you may expect that mild elevations in calcium lead to mild symptoms, this is actually not the case! The incidence of symptoms increases the longer you have elevated calcium, regardless of how high the calcium actually is! So, even a slightly high level will take it's toll on the body!