Signs that you may have a parathyroid tumor

Dr. Bui Phuong Thao, Specialist II and Deputy Head of the Endocrinology-Diabetes Department, performs an ultrasound examination of the patient's thyroid gland.

A 61-year-old female patient from Phu Tho province has a history of untreated thyroid nodules. Recently, she experienced epigastric pain, dull aches, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, poor appetite, but no shortness of breath or fever.

The patient presented with recurring symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and frequent urination. After consulting with several doctors, the patient was diagnosed with hypertension, colon polyps, gastric ulcers, urinary tract infections, etc., and received treatment with antihypertensive drugs, antibiotics, and medications to reduce gastric acid secretion. The patient was brought to Bach Mai Hospital by family members due to severe headaches and fatigue.

At the A9 Emergency Center, doctors discovered that the patient's blood calcium levels were very high, so they transferred him to the Endocrinology-Diabetes Department for treatment. Doctors suspected that the patient's hypercalcemia was due to elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

After a series of tests, including neck ultrasound and neck CT scan, the culprit was discovered: two parathyroid tumors on both sides. Due to extremely high blood calcium levels (> 4 mmol/L), which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, altered consciousness, and even death, the patient was scheduled for emergency surgery.

After the surgery, the patient recovered quickly, their vital signs returned to acceptable levels, and they were discharged from the hospital.

According to doctors, parathyroid tumors increase the secretion of the hormone PTH, causing disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, leading to elevated blood calcium levels. Parathyroid glands are usually located behind the thyroid gland and are very small, making them difficult to detect before typical symptoms appear.

Dr. Phuong Thao, a specialist in internal medicine, shared that the disease is easily misdiagnosed because the initial symptoms are very similar to common ailments such as kidney stones, stomach pain, bone and joint pain due to osteoporosis, frequent urination, or simply fatigue. Especially in the elderly, symptoms are often subtle, easily overlooked, or attributed to aging.

Delayed detection of parathyroid tumors can lead to serious consequences such as: recurrent kidney stones, urinary tract infections, kidney failure, osteoporosis, spontaneous fractures, chronic fatigue, mental disorders, and even cardiac arrhythmias when blood calcium levels are high.

Endocrinology experts advise against taking persistent fatigue, bone pain, muscle cramps, and poor appetite lightly. Older adults, especially those with a history of osteoporosis or stomach ulcers, should have their calcium and parathyroid hormone levels checked regularly.

Regular thyroid and parathyroid ultrasounds should be performed, and immediately upon detecting unexplained hypercalcemia. Avoid self-medicating with certain diuretics or calcium supplements, as these can worsen hypercalcemia.

The case of the 61-year-old patient serves as a wake-up call to the community about the insidious dangers of rare endocrine disorders. Early detection and timely treatment can help prevent serious complications and save lives. Don't ignore small signs, because sometimes, they are the first signs of a major disease.

HAI NGO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dau-hieu-nhan-biet-ban-mac-u-tuyen-can-giap-post907502.html