parathyroid adenoma

[MarciaR]

I'm a 67 year old woman with hyperparathyroidism for which I've been treated for the last 10 years in the metabolic dept. of a hospital.  Actually after several staff meetings, it was decided not to operate, but that I should just take fosamax for osteoperosis, and do blood workup and 24 hour urine collection twice a year to make sure that the calcium in blood as well as PTH stay in normal range, and the creatinine, calcium, and phosporus in urine are normal.
I also do an annual ultrasound of the neck, which shows that I have an adenoma of 0.3x1.  So far the doctor says not to operate on parathyroid .  Could you please comment on this.  Do you think I should do something further re. the adenoma?  Is there a danger that it will become cancerous if not removed.  I actually feel fine, exercise and walk regularly, and am healthy otherwise.

[MarciaR]

Thanks for the info.  The doctor I've been seeing is an expert at the hospital--head of the metabloic dept.  Actually I've just read on the web that when it's borderline, the doctor can opt in fact to do what my doctor is recommending--keeping a check on blood, etc.
Since my PTH is normal, and calcium in blood & urine is  within the range, I guess the treatment is conservative but okay.  I'm probably borderline.  I will try to post in "Doctors" category.  

[Barb135]

In order to get a doctor to answer, you have to post your question in the expert forum.  At the top of your screen, there is the category that says "Doctors" - you can get to it through there...............

I always thought that the only way to treat hyperparathyroidism was to remove the offending parathyroid gland.  Hm - guess we learn something new every day, huh?  

Is this a primary care doctor you see or a specialist?  I also agree with Laura - I'd get a second opinion.  

[MarciaR]

Does anyone know how to get a doctor on this website to answer?  I've noticed that doctors many times do give opinions here.

[laura1967]

Wow that is a question only for a dr. Have you gone for a second opinion?
If it was me i would seek a second opinion and do as much research as possible online.