DEAR DR. GOTT: After having a parathyroid gland removed, I was told by an internist to stop taking calcium supplements. My thinking is that since the offending gland was removed and is no longer causing a high blood calcium level (which was 13+), shouldn’t I be back to normal and now able to resume taking the supplements? I am a 71-year-old white female with osteopenia, 10 pounds overweight, in good health. I don’t “work out” but keep fairly active with walking, gardening and housework.
DEAR READER: Based on your brief note, I believe you had hyperparathyroidism. This occurs when at least one of the four parathyroid glands becomes hyperactive and secretes too much parathyroid hormone.
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