high calcium level and removing parathyroid?

Question

my dad has been having a high calcium level and today they suggested he go see a surgeon about removing his parathyroid.. has anybody ever had this done and what are the risks?
he is always extremely tired/sleepy . that is the only symptom he's had and they said it also has to do with this.. any info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Your dad seems to have a hyperactive parathyroid gland/s. The main cause of high calcium level (called hypercalcemia) is overactivity in one or more of the FOUR glands that regulate calcium in your body (called the parathyroid glands). Fatigue and muscle weakness are among the manifestations of that. However, your dad still needs investigations to check out what is wrong.

Surgery is not the only option to treat such problem, treatment will be based on the underlying cause. Depending on his situation, he may be tried with medications. But ifever his condition has severed and had already lost bone mass or developed kidney stones for example, he may be required to have surgery to remove the affected parathyroid glands.

Anyway, supposing he indeed requires surgery, the procedure is no longer that risky as compared to the past. An option of a newer method -a minimally invasive radioguided is now in use. A small dose of a radioactive material will be given which is only absorbed by the overactive parathyroid gland and NOT by healthy ones.

The abnormal glands will be removed by surgery. The operation is usually performed in less than an hour through a 1-inch incision in the neck, often using local anesthesia. Depending on his general condition,he may be able to go home a few hours after surgery.

About your concern over the risks of surgery: "All surgery poses some risks". Parathyroid surgery imposes some risk of damages to the nerves controlling the vocal cords. It may also result to development of having low calcium levels which will later require treatment with calcium and vitamin D.

Though the surgery cannot guarantee curing the problem in every case, it would be best to see a doctor to find out what is wrong with your father as soon as possible.