Parathyroid Glands and Hyperparathyroidism: Amazing Animation.

[yvettelantz]

I had parathyroid disease for over 11 years before I was diagnosed. The doctors saw the calcium in my blood but did nothing and said nothing and did not know what it meant. I finally went to a doctor who praticed integrated medicine and he put me through a series of tests and came up with the diagnosis. Because of the type of treatment offered to me here in Canada I decided to go to Tampa and have Dr. Norman remove the tumour. He saved my life and I will be forever gratefull.

[lynnelarson]

I had this done in 2016 with Dr Norman. My tumor had been growing over 10 years. New doctor discovered the high calcium. Awesome place to have this surgery. Have felt so much better. I was diagnosed with ostiopenia and given fosamax for years. My tumor was the size of a date. So thankful I changed doctors and was sent to the Norman Parathyroid center.

[singatune]

My husband had doctor after doctor for over decade see his high calcium. Finally he saw a doctor who saw high calcium and told him.about Dr. Norman. At surgery the PTH was 4000. Before the diagnosis he had prostrate cancer. The surgery was done by Norman in 13 minutes. His health, disposition and cognitive skills improved but finally stomach cancer with kidney failure and sepsis ended his life. Cause of death in my opinion was complications of parathyroid tumors not heart attack. High calcium is a killer just like diabetes with high sugar. Every blood test should check calcium and PTH.

[melanieoliver]

Great video. Just have to tell folks that a LOT of doctors will ignore blood tests results, especially in the elderly, where there is a Sodium deficiency and a Calcium excess. Their sage advice:- Take in more salt. My mom had this via several doctors over a few years and I would like to sue the lot of them for gross negligence. I closed my business to take ft care of my mom in 2015 because I thought she had symptoms of dementia. However, it was ALL due to the cognitive impairment caused by the calcification, ie calcium deposits in her brain. Do not let doctors get away with it! I feel hellava guilty because I was so busy being the solo carer and trying to start a new business, that I lost focus on those blood test results, but it was not MY job!

[catemerrittmurphy]

My HMO missed my high blood calcium and accompanying debilitating symptoms for more than 10 years. Then their surgeon misread the sestamibi scan and wanted to do major surgery on my neck ("looking for a needle in a haystack"). Thank goodness I found Dr. Norman, read the info, and got his accurate opinion. I flew to Tampa in 2007, paid cash for the brief MIRP surgery, and changed my life. My HMO refused reimbursement, but the low cost was worth every centavo. Thank you, Dr. Norman and Dr. Politz.

[elizabethcurtis]

From a nursing student: fantastic video! Straightforward explanation of the effects of hyperparathyroidism, and the animation is really helpful. Thank you!

[Trittihn]

I come from Germany and I traveled around the world for my surgery in the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa. I am really very, very happy that I made this decision. I had my surgery in may 2013 and now I am feeling so much better. I would advise everybody with parathyroid problem to go for surgery to Dr. Norman and his great team. My surgery took 14 minutes and I was cured.

[sandralewers]

This operation dramatically changed my life for the better! AMAZING. The day of the surgery (which is a breeze!), my acute bone pain CEASED. I don't have enough room in the comment space provided to express my gratitude to these doctors. Don't go anywhere else! Don't let any other endocrinologist treat you! Norman Parathyroid Center and the doctors associated with the center are the best. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm a new person!

[Brineytoes]

My hyperparathyroidism went undiagnosed for many years, so I am severely osteoporotic as a result.  Because of the bone pain and fatigue, I didn't exercise for years and gained a lot of weight.  10 months ago tomorrow, Drs. Norman and Politz removed my parathyroid tumor, my bone pain ceased immediately, and I began an exercise program.  I feel better than I have in many years, and have lost 20 pounds since surgery.  As an R.N., and an extremely picky one when it comes to physicians,  I assure you that there is no finer facility in the world than the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa General Hospital.  My surgery took 17 minutes, and I was home in 3 hours, one of which was driving time.  I am so lucky to be so close to this exceptional center!   It's already difficult to even find the scar!   They use plastic surgery technique to close the incision - who else takes that much care?  No one I know of!   It may be a fast surgery, but it is done perfectly and with tremendous care.  Dr. Norman takes the time to explain everything a patient needs to know and then some.  I am one very happy, very grateful lady, thanks to Drs. Norman and Politz!  This video is just GORGEOUS!  The graphics compare so favorably to the Ciba Collection of Medical Images, and it is breathtaking!  Congratulations to all who contributed, and most of all to Dr. Jim Norman for developing this world-class mini-surgical technique!  (Keep on racing, doc!) 

P. S.  Ask your doctor to do a blood test for PTH along with all the others when you have your periodic physical.  It's good insurance.

[gillbeswick]

I had my operation performed at the Norman Parathyroid Center, Tampa, just over two weeks ago. Dr Politz, Dr Lopez and the whole team were so impressive and I now feel great. If you need this operation don't think of going elsewhere, they are the best. I am so thankful I found them.

[pattiebravata]

The Norman Parathyroid Center was a good experience. So glad I finally decided to have the surgery. Feeling much better.

[brz]

They forgot to mention---Dr Jim Norman is the best surgeon for this procedure----I had it done in early 2013 & feel 100% better.

[TheWallyCarroll]

My endocrinologist was totally incorrect in diagnosing my high calcium as a result of low Vitamin D. If you have high calcium and high PTH, I urge you to contact Dr. Norman (I believe his contact details are given at the end of the video). I live in Cincinnati Ohio and made the trip to Doctor Norman's practice in Tampa Florida and had the procedure performed. Parathyroid surgery is all he does! His website, given at the end of the video, is full of great info. Thanks Dr. Norman!

[charlottediggs]

I had my operation on September 20th. I had extremely bad GERD. The pain persisted for about a week after the surgery due to the increased amounts of calcium we must take after the surgery until the dormant glands awaken. Now I am feeling great. My appetite is back. Thank you Dr. Norman and Dr. Lopez for my life!!!!

[suzannelacour]

Dr. Norman operated on me AFTER a surgeon in Asheville (Dr. Ted Humble) told me that I DID NOT have a SECOND parathyroid tumor. This condition - which plagued me for nearly 15 years before being properly diagnosed caused SEVERE neurological problems and left me permanently disabled. My osteoporosis has improved, the neurological symptoms are completely gone and I feel better than I have in years! THANK YOU DR. NORMAN AND STAFF!

[jakestockton]

Beautiful presentation. The best I've found thus far.

[DLMinton]

If you can possibly go to Tampa, DO SO. But the real benefit of these multiple videos (and the overwhelming hard physician to physician information at this and the dot com site) is to make your OWN MDs aware of this VERY under-diagnosed disease.

How lucky I was to have met Dr. Norman socially, to have wondered what he "really did", and then to self-diagnose. My "luck" was compounded by a Primary Care MD who saw the hard science, and now knows MUCH more about hyperparathyroidism than he did.

[stevedavis]

I had surgery at norman parathyroid center in 2011. I am very glad I did all my test since then have been normal but I did stop taking the citracal they tell you to take because my body arterial system is overloaded with plaque. I joined a gym to help with this problem. I most definitely recommend this center for your cure to hyperparathyroidism.

[Hayleylou]

Had this surgery done in 2008 by Dr. Norman, after much research and my doctors using a wait and see approach.  Bone pain is gone! My life is forever changed, I also was lucky to not have kidney failure, I never went anywhere without water in hand (luckily).  So if your Calcium is high, just give them a call, you'll be glad you did! 

[TexasMom]

My last to calcium levels were out of range...10.1 and 10.5 and yet my doctor said nothing! I am a thyroid cancer survivor so...it's possible that there could be something going on. I mentioned it to my kidney doctor as I have bilateral kidney stones. He drew a PTH on me today. Love it when the patient has to ask the doctor to look into something they should be trained at doing... Thanks for this video!