Just wondering if those RNY'ers out there get this checked regularly because it will tell if your body is utilizing calcium and Vit D properly.

The further out we get, the chances for mal-absorption of our vitamins and minerals increases and we also tend to get lax about taking them.  Winter is coming and the grey skies will take over and also deplete us more of our Vit D. 

The PTH test is the parathyroid gland test and is separate from the regular thyroid gland.  It is also in the neck but a different gland.  

My husband and I both have had RNY are both tested as having elevated PTH levels meaning hyperparathyroid  disease...we both have to monitor our Vit D levels closely and take additional tablets of it...we also have to take our calcium daily and our vitamins...The weird thing is, we've both been so very compliant in taking our vitamins and our levels went haywire anyways...In the long run, our bodies will start to leech calcium and vites out of our bones if not taken control of now with supplements.  It'll probably be a life long thing now...

Another thing that some doctors with the Federal Gov have found is that my husband's seizure 24 mos ago that curtailed his air traffic control career may have been caused by this mal-absorption of vitamins and high PTH.  He was stripped of his medical clearance for 24 mos due to this issue and finally, after a long 24 mos, was granted permission to work planes again, only if he has his levels checked by blood test every 3 mos and keep up with the supplementation.  There's no real "proof" as to what caused the seizure, our brain's don't have a hard drive that we can go back to to check the real cause, but, his docs at the Neurological center at Columbia Presbyterian Hosp. in NYC (one of the best on the East coast) and the FAA docs (some from DC, some special consultants at the Mayo clinic) and  others have all concluded the same thing...

If this post can prevent one more RNY'er from having this happen, I've done my job in getting the word out.  I'd hate to see someone have a seizure over this.  Our doc's don't always want to admit that RNY is the cause of such events..they're quick to sell us the surgery, but not so quick to admit that such things are due to the surgery.  At least that's what we've found in Bob's situation. Maybe this is why I didn't go back for my check up for so long...My regular doc was taking care of my levels for me...but I did go back...I see the APRN

Maybe it's time for someone/place to do an analysis of RNY patients to see how many have high PTH and mal-absorption and have had seizures (un-provoked ones and no history of epilepsy prior to surgery)...maybe the surgeons will then recognize this condition more carefully.

ONE LAST THING....

KEEP TAKING ALL OF YOUR VITAMINS..DAILY...IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT...THE BLOOD TESTS MAY SHOW YOU'RE OK NOW (EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT TAKING THEM) BUT IN THE LONG RUN, YOUR LEVELS WILL GO HAYWIRE...DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR NOW...

MULTI VITAMIN, B-12, CALCIUM AND VIT D AND WHATEVER YOUR DOC WANTS YOU TO TAKE.

Good luck all!

Paula