Hyperparathyroidism: An Often Overlooked Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

The symptoms of hyperparathyroidism include weakness and fatigue, depression, bone pain/osteoporosis, muscle soreness (myalgias), nausea/vomiting, constipation, headaches, frequent urination (polyuria) and kidney stones.
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Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and chief of the UCSD division of dermatology and dermatology section of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, and colleagues found that, when levels of dietary vitamin D are low, production of the PTH is increased. More PTH, or a related peptide called PHTrP, results in an increased expression of AMPs, such as cathelicidin, which destroy a broad spectrum of harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses.

“No one suspected a role for PTH or the PTH-related peptide in immunity,” explains Dr. Gallo. “This may help resolve some of the controversy surrounding vitamin D. It fills in the blanks.”

“PTH goes up when levels of vitamin D from diet and sun exposure are low. PTH may be what permits us to have low D in the diet and not kill ourselves with too much UV radiation.”
[link to www.the-dermatologist.com]

Tx

High blood calcium due to hyperparathyroidism is well known to cause “psychiatric” problems. It’s part of the classic “Bones, Stones, Groans, and Psychic Overtones” that was coined in the 1950’s. Fatigue (chronic fatigue) is the most common symptom of hyperparathyroidism. But depression is the most common psychiatric symptom and it is caused by high blood calcium (calcium over 10.0 mg/dl; 2.49 mmol/l in an adult). Read this amazing case where illustrating that anger and fits of rage can be caused by hyperparathyroidism. Have anger management problems? Depression? Chronic fatigue? Better check your blood calcium levels!

Today we operated on a 40 year old man from New Jersey. Although Robert is only 40 years old, he had open heart surgery last year with coronary bypass because his heart arteries are prematurely plugged (by calcium deposits!). He has been treated for chronic fatigue and depression on and off for the past 10 years, but not in the past 2 years. Robert’s current problem is that he is having increasing troubles at work, with frequent bouts of anger and occasional rage directed towards other co-workers and sometimes clients. His wife left him 2 years ago because of his anger problem. During the divorce she told him “You’ve changed! You are not the loving man I married 14 years ago. You are angry, crazy, depressed, and mad all at the same time!”.
[link to blog.parathyroid.com]

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is due to physiological (i.e. appropriate) secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid glands in response to hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels). The most common causes are vitamin D deficiency (caused by lack of sunlight, diet or malabsorption) and chronic kidney failure.

Lack of vitamin D leads to reduced calcium absorption by the intestine leading to hypocalcemia and increased parathyroid hormone secretion. This increases bone resorption.
[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]

Hyperparathyroidism was first described in 1925 and the symptoms have collectively become known as "moans, groans, stones, and bones." By far, the most common symptom is fatigue, but depression, memory loss, and bone aches are also very common. Primary hyperparathyroidism is relatively more common in postmenopausal women. The primary treatment for this disease is the surgical removal of the faulty gland.
[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]


Research published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics found that the parathyroid glands glow under near-infrared light, a luminescence that can be caught using special sensors.

The parathyroid glands are four small bits of tissue hardly larger than grains of rice. Unlike the thyroid, which controls the body's metabolism, hormone production and calcitonin levels, the parathyroid glands exclusively regulate calcium levels. In fact, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin counteract one another.
[link to www.endocrineweb.com]

Smoking is associated with hyperparathyroidism in the elderly general population and nicotine, the main component of tobacco smoke, stimulates PTH release in experimental models.
Heavy smokers had higher intact PTH (median: 280 pg/mL) and PTH1-84 (188 pg/mL) than light smokers (180 pg/mL and 95 pg/mL) and nonsmokers (169 pg/mL and 95 pg/mL).

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Inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion by caffeine in human parathyroid cells.

50 μm caffeine caused a significant decrease of PTH secretion and PTH gene expression.
CONCLUSION: A physiological high dose of caffeine inhibits PTH secretion in human parathyroid cells, possibly due to a decrease of the intracellular level of cAMP. The observation demonstrates a functional link between caffeine and parathyroid cell function.
[link to www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

how does one test for this? would this condition show up on normal blood tests for thyroid function?

Interesting information..... While I have the opposite of hyperparathyroid, (I had my thyroid removed last year and they'd intended to "auto-transplant" at least 2 of the parathyroid nodules (that are connected-usually right in back of the thyroid), they could only find ONE nodule. Another "connection" seemed to be going into my arm, another around the back of my neck-shoulder. They decided to try auto-transplanting the one & hoping for the best with the others.
But, I haven't been able to get my Ca levels up, can't seem to metabolize the synthroid, and now am having some other strange blood chemistries they can't yet explain-on top of the fatigue, N & V, pain, etc.
I'm actually being admitted this afternoon and we're hoping my doc can get an endocrinologist to at LEAST consult-if not come & see me. (I'm in a very small town, no endo's here, plus I don't drive-the nearest Endo is 62 miles away)
I'm going to look into this more to see if maybe some of what I'm going through could be parathyroid related-THANKS!!

I can assure you any of these glands the thyroid the parathyroid gets off high or low you get all kinds of problem. Mental and physical you can be in so much pain with them being one way or the other, out to space in mind. Be there done that. It is not fun. I a rare case, they kill my thyroid and can not get anything right since. Sure would be nice if I could find one doctor who has the same problems.

Believe you me, that the kind you what, they are going to find a fix. Empathy for the patients then.

Got a double post on hit it one time.

Last Edited by hankie on 07/21/2015 07:31 AM

I can assure you any of these glands the thyroid the parathyroid gets off high or low you get all kinds of problem. Mental and physical you can be in so much pain with them being one way or the other, out to space in mind. Be there done that. It is not fun. I a rare case, they kill my thyroid and can not get anything right since. Sure would be nice if I could find one doctor who has the same problems.

Believe you me, that the kind you what, they are going to find a fix. Empathy for the patients then.

Sunbathing lowers parathyroid hormone

Sun exposure score was significantly associated with higher 25(OH)D levels and by trend with lower PTH levels.
Red or blond scalp hair as a child, memory of sunburns, preferring sunbathing, frequent stays on the beach or in open-air pools, and solarium use were associated with lower PTH levels ( for all).
[link to www.hindawi.com]

Calm the heck down and let the D flow.

Sun exposure and meditation.

Forget ... "meditation" - do pray!
Meditation is waiting for something... usually the demons "inspire" ideas to the mind.
You should know that the Lord is the Doctor of your soul and body so you do not need to .... wait, to use your poor logic and "admire" the material understanding of the Science.
You are above the dead realm and dry man-made fantasy of his knowledge, you know Who is repairing, healing any soul, body - the Lord Jesus Christ.