Parathyroid Gland Online Support Group

Hi there,

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what this might mean and what should happen next...

A 6 x 11 x 3mm parathyorid adenoma was found during my thyroid ultrasound. I don't see my doctor for a follow-up for another 2 weeks. What does this size of an adenoma mean?

At the time of the ultrasound, he also ordered blood work, but he didn't order a calcium, since we were more focused on thyroid issues. However, I did see that the rheumatologist that I saw did order a PTH-Intact. My results were: 28 (range: 10-65 pg/mL).

What do you make of this? I'm worried. What should happen next? Thanks so much!

Post edited by: zugora, at: 12/30/2011 10:16 PM

My advice is to get a calcium and pth test done at the same time. Repeat a few times over six months or a year. I am not a doctor. If you get high results on both at the same time, you will know your ultrasound really did find an adenoma. Your normal pth makes me wonder if you have a problem at all. But get the calcium test, since that is the critical factor.

Btw, a normal parathyroid gland is the size of a grain of rice.

Steve

Thanks, stevenj. I appreciate it. I was also wondering if the ultrasound was wrong in this "finding". But maybe not. I will get my PTH and calcium done. Thank you!

Hi: I am trying to follow along with you. You said you got a ultrasound and they found a adenoma. The first thing is to get a PTH test, and if you get regular blood work there should be calcium readings to watch to see if they are elevated.

You should have what they call a Sestumibi Scan which is a scan with dye injected into you, and it takes over an hour to complete. Is that what you had, or was it just a ultrasound. They are 2 different things. I also question the adenoma if your PTH was normal.

I have been through PTH testing, the Parathyroid Scan (sestumibi), and my calcium is always a high normal around 9. They found nothing on the scan, but my kidney functions are always off. Now they have decided its a Seconary Hyperparathyroidism which is due to the kidneys. My PTH results run up and down from low 100's up to 2 or 300 at times. I have been having this problem for over 5 years.

The Parathyroid plays different roles in your health. See a Endocrinologist if you did not see one yet, and get a good work-up to see what is actually going on. I hope this helps.

From what your saying, I do not think you have a Parathyroid Problem either.Please let us know how you do, as it could help someone else too.

Suzzie

Thanks, so much Suzzie63 for your input! Yes, you are correct...the adenoma was found by accident, I guess. It was an ultrasound of my neck and thyroid that said, "a hypochoic area measuring 6x11x3mm is present posterior to the lower aspect of the right lobe of the thyroid. No blood flow demonstrated. Finding may represent a parathyroid adenoma".

This ultrasound was done a few weeks ago of my thyroid because I am having front of throat discomfort and I have a laundry-list of hypothyroid-like symptoms that have been going on for years (crushing fatigue, cold intolerance, terrible dry eyes, muscle pain, low blood pressure, depression, anxiety, etc, etc) and plus, I have a very strong family history of hypothyroidism and hashimoto's. In the process of trying to figure out what is wrong with me, about 2 months ago, I had a PTH test done. It was "normal" with a reading of 28 (range: 10-65 pg/mL). My last calcium test was about 2 years ago and it was "normal" with a 9.4 (range: 8.5-10.5).

I'll get my calcium done again since it has been 2 years. If it is normal, I guess what I'm wondering is: can you have a parathyroid adenoma when you have "normal" PTH and calcium levels? And if it is indeed an adenoma with "normal" blood levels, should you have it removed? Should I request a Sestumibi Scan to determine for sure if it is an adenoma?

Post edited by: zugora, at: 01/01/2012 06:23 PM

There is a possibility that the adenoma was big enough to be seen well checking your Thyroid. I would ask for the Parathyroid Scan just as a double check for whatever is going on.

If they feel its a adenoma just from a ultrasound would not be sufficient. They would need to get in there to remove it to check it.

Sounds like you might have a regular Thyroid Issue.

Was it a Endocrinologist who ran these tests?

I would get complete blood work-up and the Scan, and then go from there.

It sounds like whatever it is,its benign. The problem is it can give you all these side effects your getting also.

I am thinking of getting mine further tested also. Does your regular Thyroid blood work show a Thyroid Problem?

Suzzie

Yes, my endo ordered the ultrasound. At my follow-up appt, I'll make sure we do a Parathyroid Scan and do PTH and calcium together.

My thyroid blood-work is somewhat suspicious, but "normal". According to the ranges, I'm "normal", but according to others, including sources like "Stop the Thyroid Madness", my bloodwork is not optimal.

TSH: 2.97 (.450 - 4.5) - New top of range by AACE guidelines is actually 3.0. Mine is slowly creeping up.

Free T4: .9 (.82 - 1.77) On the low side side.

Free T3: 2.6 (2.0 - 4.4) On the low side side.

Reverse T3: 175 (90-350)

Anti-TPO: <10 (<35)

TGAB: <20 (<40)

I also have a very STRONG family history of thyroid problems. Every woman on my mother's side has hypothyroidism or hashimoto's (mom, sister, grandma, aunt, cousins...). I do have an aunt who had her parathyroid glands removed - not sure how many or exactly why.

Thanks so much for your advice. It's very appreciated!

Here are some good charts that can help you interpret your calcium, pth results: http://www.parathyroid.com/hyperparathyroidism- diagnosis.htm

If you continue to get normal results, I would skip the sestamibi scan and save yourself the $$, time, and radiation.

Hi: I would agree with Steven that if your PTH numbers are normal, then look into the regular Thyroid issues and skip the Parathyroid Scan. My numbers were high, so I did the test. I actually went and dug out my report last night after posting to you. It will be 6 years in Feb since I did that scan. I feel my problem is related to my kidneys. As for Calcium like I said its always on your regular blood work to keep an eye on. Glad your seeing a Endocrinologist for your care. Keep us posted on how you do. The family history of Thyroid Problems does sound more like you would be in that category.

I am still curious about the fact that they saw a Adenoma on the Parathyroid.

When I first started with all this. I read Dr. Norman's website info, as he is the doctor who invented the minimally invasive thyroid surgery. I was ready to go to Tampa where he is located if I had to have the Parathyroid removed. They say to only get that surgery if needed by a doctor who does thouands of Parathyroid Surgery a year, as it is a delicate surgery. Type in Dr. Norman Parathyroid, and you can read everything about him.

Thanks for the info, suzzie63. I went back to some recent bloodwork and it turns out that my calcium WAS normal (about 5 months ago) . It was 9.4 (range: 8.3-10.8) and PTH was 28 (range 10-65). I'm wondering then if it's not a parathyroid adenoma at all, but something else. Or, if someone can even have an adenoma with "normal" PTH and calcium? So strange...All I know is that I feel like I've been hit by a truck with this fatigue and crazy symptoms. Thanks again.

Post edited by: zugora, at: 01/04/2012 12:44 PM