Health Anxiety over likely HPTH
Hi, this is my first post on Reddit, so please bear with me.
I am a 34 y/o F. I am still relatively early in my journey with this illness. I have had around 4 blood tests over the past little over a month, between the ER (caused by a panic attack), my PCP, and my cardiologist. I do not yet have an endocrinologist yet, but will most likely make an appointment for one soon.
We noticed my calcium levels were elevated at 10.3-10.4 at the highest. My adjusted calcium levels with my albumin were 9.6 and 9.8. On Monday I had my most recent blood draw to check my PTH hormone with calcium as well as some thyroid levels, due to them being slightly off last time. Thyroid levels are all in the normal range now, but my PTH hormone was high at 93 and my calcium was 9.7. According to the lab it says that this points towards secondary hyperthyroidism, but considering my labs with calcium in the 10s last month I am quite worried. Even 9.7 is the higher end of normal calcium… so shouldn’t my PTH be lower?
I read that commonly vitamin d is looked at in these situations, and it is true that my vitamin d levels (last checked a month ago) were 26… so low but not deficient. I find it hard to believe a vitamin d level of 26 would cause my PTH to go so high, especially with the high normal calcium level, but I’m also not a doctor.
My next appointment to go over labs with my dr is on Monday. I assume they will put me on vitamin d, but that makes me worry it will only cause my calcium levels to go up again… possibly higher than before. I guess if my vitamin d levels are fixed and I still have high PTH with high or high normal calcium I will know for sure what’s going on and can continue looking for a surgeon etc…
I should mention, I don’t really notice any symptoms of HPTH, but I have struggled with anxiety almost my entire life, so it’s possible that it’s making my anxiety more severe. I also noticed high blood pressure is a possible symptom. I struggle A LOT with severe white coat syndrome… To the point that I am taking 5mg amlodipine just to control spikes due to my anxiety. At home my blood pressure typically is anywhere from 98/60-115/75 when im calm (cuff has been validated with drs office) but at the doctor it can be literally stroke level sometimes depending on how stressed I am.
This also is causing me a lot of anticipatory anxiety about possible surgery. I’d hate for my surgery to be canceled due to my high blood pressure readings before surgery… I know this is ridiculous but I have massive anxiety over my blood pressure that started due to a traumatic ER visit. I’ve also never had surgery so I’m sure I’ll be very scared when or if the time comes even with it being a fairly simple procedure. I’m probably jumping the gun already worrying about this, but it’s definitely been something that’s been occupying my mind lately.
Thank you for any help or advice 🙏