Hacker News Reader

Comment by ambrop7 | Hacker News Reader

I've been trying to diagnose myself for a long time (about a year) before I figured it out. By that time I've been to my doctor multiple times, to two orthopedic doctors, one gastroenterologist, had 3 spine MRIs, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, chest X-ray, a bone scan, lots of lab tests incuding lyme disease, probably other tests and physical therapy. I was to the ER twice where they also had no clue. Someone even advised a psychiatry referral which I did not go for. I got on the right track when I was studying endocrine diseases and happened to include calcium on a panel of blood tests I ordered for myself (presumably because I stumbled upon hyperparathyroidism). Once calcium came back high, it was clear after 2 more blood tests, and the doctors at the Norman Parathyroid Center (where I'm having surgery) confirmed it based on my lab reports. I'm having surgery in 2 days.

View on HN

Thanks. My story sounds very similar to yours. I had a bunch of tests done including x-rays (negative), MRI (negative), an EMG test (negative), and multiple blood drawings. Eventually it came down to a diagnosis of exclusion, and the neurologist said that I had fibromyalgia despite the fact that my primary symptoms are muscle weakness and cognitive issues, with pain being an annoying but very manageable secondary symptom. At times I've wondered if it's all in my head and I'm just going crazy. Best of luck with the surgery!

Good luck. Just wanted to chime in that my Dad had similar (albeit milder than yours) issues and ran across the Norman Parathyroid Center website while researching his problems. He had surgery there about 6 weeks ago and indeed they found and removed a dime sized tumor.

He has high praise for the docs there. And he’s had an excellent recovery. Energy and alertness has returned full force! Hope your results are similar.

Thanks. Indeed I read only praise of this place, and their web site is an excellent source of information. It is now quite certain I have this but until I get the surgery and see the problems resolving I still worry a little bit if we're right :)

Supposedly it is rare in young people (I'm 29), maybe that had something to do with nobody seeing this.

Male friend at 35 also had lots of strange symptoms and figured out on his own that it was also hyperparathyroidism. He also went to Norman and sings their praises. He was eating dinner in Tampa the night after his morning surgery! They removed two para tumors. What's odd and probably why it took so long for his diagnosis is that it's usually a disease in older overweight women. He was the only young skinny man they saw all day.

He now found out he also has pretty severe apnea (been a pretty loud snorer for years) and isn't sure if it's related or not. The surgery did help but didn't solve everything so found the apnea next and is now on CPAP. Always something!

Good luck and feel free to message if you have any questions about the procedure.

Thanks. I'm even younger than your friend (29 male)! Never noticed any apnea myself or any problems that would not be explained by this disease, so I'm hoping for complete resolution of all issues. Maybe even my mild tinnitus (constant high-pitched noise, unconcerning) will get better, I guess it could be due to the ossicles getting demineralized :)

He probably had it for over 15 years with high calcium tests every year on his physical. No doctor ever mentioned it as a problem as his health just degraded year after year. He figured it out himself and called Norman. So at least you'll have your 30s to enjoy!

Let me know how it goes afterwards. I'd love to hear how you recover!

If you have parathyroid issues it could be a boron deficiency.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com