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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Woman's Recurrent Kidney Stones Linked to Parathyroid Tumor, Resolved by Neck Surgery

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 65-year-old woman experienced recurrent kidney stones, which were initially treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
  • Doctors discovered her parathyroid gland had a tumor causing hyperparathyroidism, leading to excessive calcium loss and kidney stone formation.
  • Surgical removal of the tumor resolved the condition, normalizing her calcium levels and preventing further kidney stones.

A 65-year-old woman sought treatment in Taiwan for recurrent kidney stones that caused swelling, after facing long waits for surgery abroad. She underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, but within three months, severe back and abdominal pain signaled a return of kidney stones, baffling her.

Originally, I thought it was just hitting stones, but I never expected it to turn into neck surgery.

— WangThe patient described her surprise at the diagnosis and subsequent surgery.

Doctors at Changhua Hospital suspected an underlying issue beyond the kidneys due to the rapid recurrence. Blood tests revealed dangerously high calcium levels (12 mg/dL, normal 8.4-10.6) and significantly elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (298 pg/mL, normal under 65). Further scans identified a 1.4 cm adenoma on her parathyroid gland, diagnosing "primary hyperparathyroidism."

Physicians explained that the parathyroid glands, located behind the thyroid, regulate calcium and phosphorus. An adenoma can cause overproduction of PTH, leading to excessive calcium release from bones into the blood. This hypercalcemia increases osteoporosis and fracture risks and elevates urinary calcium, forming kidney stones.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is common in women aged 50 to 60, especially after menopause, with an incidence about three times higher than in men.

— Su MeixuA general surgeon at Changhua Hospital explained the demographic and risk factors for the condition.

Following surgery to remove the affected parathyroid gland, the woman's calcium and PTH levels quickly normalized. She wryly noted the unexpected shift from "hitting stones to neck surgery." Doctors advise that women aged 50-60, especially post-menopausal, should be aware of hyperparathyroidism symptoms like recurrent kidney stones, high calcium, osteoporosis, frequent urination, fatigue, or muscle aches, and seek further parathyroid evaluation if these occur.

If symptoms like recurrent kidney stones, hypercalcemia, osteoporosis, frequent urination, fatigue, or muscle aches appear in a short period, further examination of parathyroid function is recommended to avoid delaying treatment.

— Su MeixuThe surgeon advised on symptoms that warrant further investigation into parathyroid function.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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