10 years ago I had surgery at the Norman Parathyro...

10 years ago I had surgery at the Norman Parathyroid Center (NPC) that removed three hyperplastic parathyroids. This was after many frustrating months seeing a board-certified endocrinologist who despite head-scratching and "hmmm-ing" plus $1500 worth of inept "tests" was unable to make a diagnosis. So... I sent the labs from the endocrine-guy to Tampa where NPC immediately diagnosed hyperparathyroidism and set up a surgical appointment.

After the surgery in Tampa I felt better than I had for many years...until, that is, last June when I began experiencing constant pain as well as ankle swelling and increasing hypertension. The local doctors once again seemed bored by it. However, lab tests came in showing 10.4 serum calcium - and I immediately recognized that my last lonely parathyroid gland was misbehaving (even if the local docs couldn't figure it out, by golly I could! ) Because I had only one parathyroid, I contacted Doug Politz MD at NPC; and eventually (3 months later) he agreed to schedule surgery in Tampa. Since I am 83 and traveling alone from California, it was a challenge, but within hours after this surgery the pain and ankle swelling were gone. What did they find? The remaining parathyroid had developed an adenoma (benign tumor), and was putting out PTH in very large inappropriate amounts! The NPC surgeons were able to separate the gland itself (still normal) from the adenoma, and now all parts are working once again while excised adenoma is being chopped up and examined microscopically by some pathologists, in Tampa I presume!

I cannot imagine more accurate diagnosis or better care for parathyroid disease than the Norman Parathyroid Clinic. Outstanding doctors, outstanding nursing staff, and a caring support staff in every way! They have given me back my life. In Tampa, even all the taxi Drivers know you are there for parathyroid surgery and where they need to take you - how about THAT? There is no better parathyroid clinic anywhere.

Elaine Jeter, San Diego, CA