First of all, a calcium blood level of 10.5 is within the normal range of 9.0 to 10.5, normal PTH levels range from 10-55, and 90-95% of us are deficient in magnesium, so I would not be too hasty to jump to a hyperparathryoid diagnosis and I dang sure would not be jumping into surgery. Even if your high normal levels indicate the beginning stages of hyperparathyroid problems, I strongly disagree that the only treatment for hyperparathryoid condition is surgery and I personally would never recommend surgery as a first option any more than I would recommend a woman have her breast removed after detecting a small lump, benign or not.
People with mild hyperparathyroid conditions have used the following:
- Chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus) standardized extract, 20 - 40 mg daily before breakfast, for support of the parathyroid gland.
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf tincture, 5 - 10 mL two to three times a day, for its high mineral content. You can also prepare teas from the leaf.
- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) standardized extract, 300 mg three times daily for support of healthy bones and for its high mineral content.
Source: University of Maryland
Dietary/nutritional suggestions:
Foods that depress the thyroid include broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, turnips, soy, beans, and mustard greens. Avoid refined foods, dairy products, wheat, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help your immune system function properly.
- Bromelain (250 to 500 mg three times per day between meals) reduces swelling.
- L-Tyrosine - promotes the healthy functioning of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.
- Iodine - is vital for good thyroid function
- Vitamin C (250 to 500 mg twice a day) supports immune function and decreases inflammation.
- Calcium (1,000 mg per day) and magnesium (200 to 600 mg per day) are cofactors for many metabolic processes.
- Vitamin E (400 IU twice a day) can help protect the heart.
- Coenzyme Q10 (50 mg twice a day) can help protect the heart.
- Saw palmetto - strengthens the thyroid, which controls overall gland function.
Other herbs which may be helpful:
- Bugleweed (Lycopus virginica) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) help to normalize the overactive thyroid. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) may relieve heart palpitations and passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) reduces anxiety. Combine two parts of bugleweed with one part each of lemon balm, motherwort, and passionflower and take in tincture form, 30 to 60 drops three to four times per day.
- Quercetin (250 to 500 mg three times per day) is an anti-inflammatory.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) makes the effects of bromelain stronger and should be taken between meals, 500 mg three times per day.
- Milk thistle (Silibum marianum) helps the liver provide proper binding proteins, 300 to 600 mg three times a day.
- Hawthorn berry (Crataegus laevigata) helps protect the heart. Take ¼ tsp. of the solid extract, or 1,000 mg of the herb, three times a day.
- Lemon balm inhibits the binding of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) receptors.
- Anti-inflammatory herbs such as Chinese foxglove (Rehmania glutinosa) support the adrenals as well.
In addition, you can find some good suggestions to help with concerns about boneloss in this article on natural help for osteoporosis and bones loss:
http://www.tbyil.com/Osteoporosis.htm
In the event of an immune disorder, oleander extract, magnesium (look at your low levels!), curcumin, and blackseed oil are all wonderful immune modulators. Magnesium defeciencies have been linked to both immune disorders and hyperparathyroid condition as has inadequate intake of iodine.
All the best,
DQ