Re: parathyroid lab results

[Guest guest]

Generally, parathyroid hormone (PTH) mobilizes the demineralization

of bone to release calcium in order to maintain a sufficient

concentration of calcium in the bloodstream. So, if you are not

absorbing enough calcium from food (requires BOTH calcium AND Vitamin

D, plenty of the latter, either vitamin intake or sunlight exposure

to let your body manufacture its own Vitamin D), your bones will

supply it, and they can become weaker in the process, leading to

osteoporosis if this goes on too long unchecked. To learn more, see

the **excellent** article " Restoring Aging Bones " in the March 2003

issue of Scientific American at

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006 & articleID=000E5452-A1AB-1E41-89E08\

09EC588EEDF.

Before you get too scared, some elevation of PTH (mine was in the

80's for several months; for my age and gender, 72 is the high end of

normal) is to be expected in the first 12-18 months of a

malabsorptive surgery. But, it should resolve itself. If it does

not, then increased calcium (citrate preferably) and Vitamin D should

be discussed with a health care provider familiar with nutrition and

malabsorption.

Last October, my PTH dropped back to 25. I had switched to taking 12

Vita4Life (http://www.vita4life.net) daily about six weeks previous

to the lab work. Was it coincidence (my body righting itself on its

own), or was it the Vita4Life supplements? I HAVE NO IDEA! And, I

have no formal ties with Vita4Life other than being a customer.

--Steve

At 11:06 PM -0500 2/18/03, GayleneCo@... wrote:

>my parathyroid

>level is elevated. Can anyone tell me what the parathyroid does and what does

>an elevated level means?

[Guest guest]

Generally, parathyroid hormone (PTH) mobilizes the demineralization

of bone to release calcium in order to maintain a sufficient

concentration of calcium in the bloodstream. So, if you are not

absorbing enough calcium from food (requires BOTH calcium AND Vitamin

D, plenty of the latter, either vitamin intake or sunlight exposure

to let your body manufacture its own Vitamin D), your bones will

supply it, and they can become weaker in the process, leading to

osteoporosis if this goes on too long unchecked. To learn more, see

the **excellent** article " Restoring Aging Bones " in the March 2003

issue of Scientific American at

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006 & articleID=000E5452-A1AB-1E41-89E08\

09EC588EEDF.

Before you get too scared, some elevation of PTH (mine was in the

80's for several months; for my age and gender, 72 is the high end of

normal) is to be expected in the first 12-18 months of a

malabsorptive surgery. But, it should resolve itself. If it does

not, then increased calcium (citrate preferably) and Vitamin D should

be discussed with a health care provider familiar with nutrition and

malabsorption.

Last October, my PTH dropped back to 25. I had switched to taking 12

Vita4Life (http://www.vita4life.net) daily about six weeks previous

to the lab work. Was it coincidence (my body righting itself on its

own), or was it the Vita4Life supplements? I HAVE NO IDEA! And, I

have no formal ties with Vita4Life other than being a customer.

--Steve

At 11:06 PM -0500 2/18/03, GayleneCo@... wrote:

>my parathyroid

>level is elevated. Can anyone tell me what the parathyroid does and what does

>an elevated level means?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 02/19/2003 9:42:04 AM Pacific Standard Time, sng@...

writes:

> Before you get too scared, some elevation of PTH (mine was in the

> 80's for several months; for my age and gender, 72 is the high end of

> normal) is to be expected in the first 12-18 months of a

> malabsorptive surgery. But, it should resolve itself. If it does

> not, then increased calcium (citrate preferably) and Vitamin D should

> be discussed with a health care provider familiar with nutrition and

> malabsorption.

>

Thank you so much Steve. That was extremely helpful.

Gaylene

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 02/19/2003 9:42:04 AM Pacific Standard Time, sng@...

writes:

> Before you get too scared, some elevation of PTH (mine was in the

> 80's for several months; for my age and gender, 72 is the high end of

> normal) is to be expected in the first 12-18 months of a

> malabsorptive surgery. But, it should resolve itself. If it does

> not, then increased calcium (citrate preferably) and Vitamin D should

> be discussed with a health care provider familiar with nutrition and

> malabsorption.

>

Thank you so much Steve. That was extremely helpful.

Gaylene