My Husband Is Thought To Have A Parathyroid Problem. He

Posted on Mon, 26 Nov 2018

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Mon, 26 Nov 2018 Answered on

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Question : My husband is thought to have a Parathyroid problem. He is to have a nuclear test for a tumor. Is this a normal test for this problem?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
About high calcium levels;

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I can understand your concern regarding to your husband's health.
High calcium levels with an elevated parathyroid hormone is suggestive for parathyroid adenoma.
The ultrasound can help to detect the adenoma but scintiscan with sestamibi is more sensitive to help the surgeon to localize better the enlarged parathyroid gland.
Once the gland is localized, surgical removal is suggestive if he has long term complications of persisting high calcium levels or if calcium level is over 12 mg/ dl.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad