If you've been told you have the diagnosis of elevated calcium, hypercalcemia or likely have hyperparathyroidism, but you haven't been provided with a clear road forward, then this book is speaking to you.
The Patient's Guide to Hyperparathyroidism written by Dr. Lawrence Gordon, provides a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the decisions influencing your care when you have been diagnosed with hypercalcemia or hyperparathyroidism.
I have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, can I just wait to see what happens?
No. There is uniform agreement in the medical profession that persons with diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism require surgery for removal of the abnormal parathyroid adenoma. You may not be experiencing any of the common signs or symptoms such as bone pain, kidney stones, or abdominal discomfort; nevertheless, the constantly elevated parathyroid hormone level is causing thinning of your bones and abnormally elevated calcium. Ultimately this leads to osteoporosis which may result in bone fractures in later years of life. The “wait” strategy is no longer considered a reasonable option for most people.
What are the fees to have my surgery at Advanced Parathyroid Surgery of New York?
We accept and work with most major United States insurance plans including Medicare to cover your surgery.
Office Visit: Patients can contact the office and schedule an appointment with our doctor to review and/or order labs and diagnostic imaging. Patients will be responsible for co-pays and/or any insurance deductibles at the time of visit.
Surgery Fee: We will obtain approval for surgery from your insurance company and discuss any out of pocket costs with you, dependent on your insurance plan prior to the surgery.
Can surgery be done on an ambulatory or “same day” basis?
Yes. In most cases of minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, the patient is able to leave the hospital on the same day. Typically most patients stay for several hours after the procedure and, after being observed, return home.
My sestamibi scan was negative, am I eligible for minimally invasive parathyroid surgery?
Yes, the majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are eligible for minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. Many hospitals that do not perform sestamibi scans on a regular basis have false-negative scans. We recommend facilities that have extensive experience with parathyroid scanning. Combining a properly performed sestamibi scan with high sensitivity performed ultrasound enables us to localize the parathyroid adenoma in the majority of cases. The localization of the parathyroid adenoma preoperatively is what enables us to perform minimally invasive parathyroid surgery on an ambulatory basis.
Can a large parathyroid tumor be removed with mini-incision parathyroidectomy?
Yes. All that is required is that the incision be long enough to accomodate the short-axis of the parathyroid adenoma. Even very large parathyroid tumors can be removed through a small incision
