Persistent Elevation of Parathormone Levels after Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Background: Persistent elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) despite normocalcemia have been documented in 8- 40% of patients after parathyroidectomy. We hereby report our experience from different centers across India to determine clinical significance of postoperatively elevated PTH levels and review relevant literature.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series study and reviewed all the patients who underwent surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from April 2010 to January 2020.

Results: Total of 201 patients was diagnosed as PHPT. Out of available follow-up data of 180 patients, a total of 54 patients (30%) had persistently elevated PTH (PePTH) at 1 month. Patients with PePTH were older with higher preoperative serum calcium, iPTH, alkaline phosphatase and lower serum phosphate and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels. Creatinine clearance was found to be significantly lower in patients with PePTH. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative 25-OH D3 concentration, creatinine clearance and iPTH are the factors influencing persistent elevation of PTH levels. Significantly lower serum calcium and higher alkaline phosphatase levels were observed in PePTH patients with preoperative 25-OH D3 levels <20 ng/mL. Thirty patients at 6 months, 24 patients at 1 year, 18 patients at 2 years and 9 patients at 3 years had eucalcemic PTH elevation. Nine out of 126 (7%) patients with normal initial postoperative calcium and iPTH levels developed PePTH, with none culminating into recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

Conclusion: Though the pathogenesis of such a phenomenon still remains to be elucidated, a multifactorial mechanism appears to play a role.