Thanks for posting to this site Dr. Norman. Both myself and my daughter had MIRP surgery performed by Dr. Norman in Tampa. Six months following my daughter's initial MIRP surgery with Dr. Norman, her calcium levels were elevated and she had Dr. Norman redo her surgery when Dr. Norman found a second "bad" parathyroid gland that was somehow missed during the first surgery. Yes, even the best can make a mistake, but Dr. Norman did not charge her for the second surgery, although charges were incurred for the hospital, anesteologist and all other fees associated with the hospital. She is 100% cured now and speaks very highly of Dr. Norman and his staff.
Immediately following my surgery by Dr. Norman, my levels were all normal but about 5 weeks following the surgery my calcium level was elevated to 10.4. During my surgery, I had 3 of my parathyroid glands removed and the 4th one was biopsied and shown to be normal.
Approximately 4 months following the surgery, I spoke with Dr. Politz on the phone and discussed my issues and concern. He was very professional and offered his medical opinion and advice while he took his time to go over everything with me.
I have since been thru a battery of tests from my area doctors and no one can figure out why my calcium levels are still elevated (with normal PTH). I am continuing conversations in the future with Dr. Norman's office staff and they have requested copies of my blood work and tests as they are being done. Although my calcium levels are elevated, I do feel much better than I did before the surgery and am thankful for Dr. Norman and his great team. From the time of my initial consultation thru my last phone conversation with Dr. Norman's staff, I have been very pleased with the level of care and professionalism. Although Dr. Norman may seem to come across quite cockey and arrogant, that is sometimes to be expected when you are dealing with a self-confident professional who is the best in his field. I found Dr. Norman to be very caring and I actually loved his blunt comments and quirky personality. In my opinion, Dr. Norman and his staff really do treat you like family and I felt so comfortable in my decision to have my surgery done by him.
If you are looking for a Doctor who sugarcoats every sentence he speaks, then Dr. Norman is not for you, but if you want a surgeon who is the best of the best in his field, then I recommend you have your surgery with Dr. Norman. I found him and all of the staff to be amazing! The surgical team at the hospital was like a well oiled machine, with everyone knowing their job and doing it very well with no waste of time. I was totally impressed and couldn't have been more pleased with my experience. Now, I just hope and pray my calcium levels get better or someone can find out why they are still elevated.
At the very least, I urge any who are seeking surgery to consult the AAES web site to begin their search there as the best possible place to find an experienced Endocrine surgeon.
Like so many of us, it sounds as if you've had a hard time getting someone to truly pay attention and do I feel your disappointment. Even though I know it's hard, please don't lose hope and keep advocating for yourself, and if you can, enlist the aid of a trusted family member/friend to assist you. (No one knows more than a PHPT sufferer just exactly how much it knocks the wind out of your sails & it's important to ask for help--never mind we don't "look" sick).
If you are asking for input.... I did note w/interest you did not mention your ionized Ca #'s. Having this tested simultaneously w/serum Ca and PTH is of importance.
I don't know if you've been to the AAES website, but it's a terrific place to turn. You will be able to obtain names of many reputable endocrine surgeons who are well versed in this disease. Might I suggest contacting as many of those surgeons' offices on the list who are in relatively close proximity to you, explain your dilemma to the appropriate staff member & at least first determine if the particular surgeon will diagnose you him/herself...or if not, will s/he refer you to an Endo experienced in PHPT, who will.
Thoughts are with you and much luck.
I just read an article on Vanderbilt's web site about "glowing" glands that is very interesting, and apparently a new discovery. I am also researching what sort of help I need for a goiter and grateful to see these postings.
very interesting comment about the atlas bone at the top of the spine. Did the lab tests after this adjustment show calciium and Parathyroid hormone in the normal range?
I need the name of a doctor in the San Antonio area who refers to Dr. Norman. My 79 year old father has an adenoma, high calcium and high parathyroid hormone. His endocrinologist says, because of his age, he could be treated with a drug (Sensipar) to reduce calcium in the blood. His cardiologist says his calcium is in the normal range. I need to take him to a doctor who is knowledgable about this disease.
Call the Norman parathyroid center and ask them if the have referring doctors in San Antonio. I just had two tumors removed 4/9/13 and am doing steadily better. If you know your dad has an adenoma you need to make the call immediately and schedule surgery.
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You do not need a referring doctor. All insurances pay for parathyroid surgery without referrals (unless it is an HMO, but even Medicare does not require a doctor referral for parathyroid surgery because removing parathyroid tumors makes people healthier and costs less to take care of them in the long term. Just call Dr Norman's office and they will get things going. :-|
Please DO NOT go to the Cleveland clinic. I had my surgery for parathyroid done april 2013, the doctor did not know what she was doing and took out 2 and half glands she said they looked normal in surgery but after lab tested said they had tumors. I don't believe this a good knowledgeable doctor could tell this during surgery. she could not find my 4th gland so I am still sick. Now I am looking for a specialist who will locate the 4th gland and have this surgery done again. I was in surgery for 8 hrs. she did not know what she was doing. Please find a specialist. God bless You.
Can I just add.... your magnesium may be low. After my parathyroid surgery I was having issues and they ran some blood test and noticed my magnesium was low. I added that supplement-actually I get the Calcium Citrate with vitamin d and magnesium- and it has worked wonders!. the magnesium helps me sleep and also helps with the bowels. My surgeon said sometimes it's hard to even get the calcium regulated if your magnesium is low, not that that is your problem but, it might help you with the IBS issues. Just a thought.
Paul-The sestamibi scan is expensive. I just had one and it was almost $3000. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost if your labs do not match the diagnosis and from what you have written it looks like you are in the "normal" ranges. Also, understand most surgeons would not recommend to operate on a patient with a history of heart problems. They do not consider Hyperparathyroidism a terminal illness and therefore an emergency. Although yes, if left untreated HPT will kill you, it just takes decades to do so. I had all of the same issues as you only trade the osteo for the heart surgeries. I lived with a ever present migraine, fatigue, depression, body aches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. My calcium was 12.6 and my PTH was 289! 2 days before my scheduled surgery, the doctor did an EKG and it came back abnormal, off to a nuclear stress test I went, man! I thought I was going to die right there on the treadmill!! the tech said my results showed signs of cardiac stress but, in the end my surgeon decided to go ahead with the surgery. I have never felt better and since my surgery in September I have only had maybe 4 mild headaches. He is also the one who told me they take into account health, age and fitness level before they will recommend surgery.