Thursday 30 December 2010

minimal access parathyroid surgery

minimal access parathyroid surgery is available in the UK

It is crucial to identify the correct surgeon - who should work in a unit where a significant number of cases are performed each year.

Most surgeons in the UK submit data to the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons.  This is a National Audit with results published every other year.

Minimal access parathyroid surgery is the ideal way to cure primary hyperparathyroidism.

Small incisions mean the operation can be done as a daycase procedure.

http://www.bucksendocrine.com/

http://www.thyroidsurgeon.org.uk/

Thursday 23 December 2010

High Calcium

It is important to remember that high calcium levels are never normal.

The first thing to check is that the patient is not taking any medication or additional calcium in the diet that might alter the results.

After this testing PTH levels is vital.

PTH - parathyroid hormone - levels should be essentially zero if the calcium is high.  Normal (or better termed 'inappropriately high') PTH levels and high PTH levels both are indicators of parathyroid disease.

Patients should be seen by an endocrinologist or experienced parathyroid surgeon to sort out this condition.

Most but not all patients should be offered surgery as this is the only permanent cure.


www.bucksendocrine.com

www.thyroidsurgeon.org.uk