I had two overactive parathyroid glands removed on January 13th, 2026. So far, I’m recovering well. I’m hoping to regain energy and productivity over the next few weeks/months.
Parathyroid glands produce PTH (parathyroid hormone), which controls the levels of calcium in the blood. High levels of calcium can lead to extreme fatigue and brain fog, which I’d been experiencing for a while, but initially attributed to other issues. Between work stress and family stress, covid, the pandemic, et cetera, there was always something–a reason to feel drained and tired.
One of my previous doctors had been monitoring my thyroid since 2018 based on some other health concerns I had (those turned out to be PCOS, which could have been diagnosed in 2010, but nevermind 🙄). My calcium level was 10.1 then, which is just barely within the high end of the “normal” range, and, thus, wasn’t flagged (now numerous studies show that normal adult calcium should be in the 9’s; anything above that indicates a problem, but I digress). In 2023, my numbers went from subclinical hypothyroidism to full hypothyroidism. I also had an ultrasound to confirm PCOS (congratulations, my ovaries looks like Swiss cheese🧀).
I sought treatment for hypothyroidism with my current GP who also noticed that my calcium levels were high (10.4), which could indicate a parathyroid problem. He ran some more tests and we found out my vitamin D was low (21.6), my PTH was higher than average (87), and my calcium levels had gone up (10.8).
Vitamin D levels can affect calcium levels, so we corrected mine by taking vitamin D supplements and retested. My vitamin D was now fine (40), but calcium was still high (10.2) and my PTH was higher (97), so in December 2024, I was referred to an endocrinologist for further testing and treatment.
In March 2025, the endocrinologist office accepted the referral and called to schedule a new patient consult. The first appointment available was September 9th, 2025.
Six months later….
I re-did all the tests I’d done previously since the last results were from 9 months ago (the previous December, recall). My calcium was higher (11.2) as well as my PTH (99). To rule out familial hypocalciuria, a disorder where you excrete too little calcium leading to high calcium blood levels, I did a 24 hr urine collection test (twice, but nevermind that, too 🙄). In November, the results of the 2nd test came back (626; normal range is 0-320), which finally confirmed the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. The only cure is to remove the hyperactive parathyroid glands, so I was referred to General Surgery and scheduled for a consult appointment on February 4th.
From there, things finally started to get rolling.
While I was at my dad’s for Thanksgiving, I received calls scheduling me for a thyroid ultrasound (Dec 17th) and a nuclear scan, also known as a sestamibi scan (Dec 22nd). Both scans were required before my consult in February. The thyroid ultrasound indicated two potential parathyroid nodules–one on the upper right side and one on the upper left. The sestamibi scan involves injecting a radioactive dye that is then radiographed 20 mins after the initial injection then again approximately 2 hours later. The two images are compared to determine if there is any irregular absorption or wash-out of the dye, which could indicate a hyperactive parathyroid gland. My scan showed possible increased uptake on the right side.
There was a cancellation so my February consult appointment got moved to January 7th (hooray!). I met my surgeon, who went over the results of my scans and explained the surgery. Afterwards, I went to the schedulers’ office. The ladies there asked me how soon would I like to the have the surgery? I answered, “As soon as possible.” They said, “How about next Tuesday?” I said, “YES!”
On surgery day, I think I was scheduled to go 2nd, but there was a problem with some of the paperwork on the previous patient, so I got to go 1st. I walked in the door at 7:30am and was in surgery by 8:20am. I came out of surgery around 10:00am, was in recovery until 10:40am, and then I was able to go home.
After visit summary notes indicate my PTH level at time of surgery was 158 (previously 99 in September) and my calcium was 10.6. After surgery, my PTH dropped to 15. Both superior (upper) parathyroid glands were removed. The right one was clearly an adenoma (overgrowth of tissue). The left was smaller than the right but still slightly enlarged.
I have a two-inch scar in the crease of my neck that’s healing nicely. I expect the scar will flatten as the internal stitches dissolve. In a few months, the incision mark should be barely visible.