After several months of muscle weakness and two episodes of kidney stones, Glori
ID: 3473507 • Letter: A
Question
After several months of muscle weakness and two episodes of kidney stones, Gloria's doctor ordered blood work and a hip x-ray to find out what was causing the stones. It was determined that Gloria was suffering from an excess secretion of PTH, possibly due to a parathyroid gland tumor. Amazingly the surgeon was not able to locate the parathyroid glands on the posterior surface of the thyroid. a) Is it still possible that Gloria has a parathyroid tumor? Why/Why not? b) Which blood tests should be ordered to determine if it is a tumor of the parathyroid gland? c) Why was an x-ray ordered?Explanation / Answer
Yes, Gloria has a parathyroid tumor. During the parathyroid tumor secretion of parathyroid hormone become excess and the calcium level in the blood increases. As the calcium level in the blood are high these are reabsorbed by the renal tubule which ultimately leads to kidney stone (hard deposits made from the precipitation of mineral and salts)
B) For determining the parathyroid tumor blood test are done. If the calcium level and the blood are unexpectedly high then but as then the test are repeated again after fasting if the calcium level are still high then this confirms the parathyroid tumor.
C) X-rays was ordered for the imaging of the abdomen for the kidney stones and other problem related to kidneys submit.