Many of you may have already heard the news that comedian Garry Shandling passed away suddenly on March 24, 2016. We  want to extend our condolences to his family and friends. We will all miss the humor of this legendary entertainer. Learn more about Garry Shandling’s career here: http://www.npr.org/2016/03/25/471795179/how-heartbreak-helped-garry-shandling-find-his-comedic-voice

It is reported that Garry referred to having hyperparathyroidism and described some of the symptoms of pHPT in recent clips and conversation, so there is speculation that he suffered from the disease.

http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/garry-shandling-dead-secret-sickness-clues/

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/garry-shandling-revealed-health-issue-during-final-appearance-watch-w200206

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/garry-shandling-acclaimed-comic-actor-dead-66-article-1.2576782

What we do know based on information received from the LA coroners office this morning by fellow Health Advocate, Heather Fraser is that…

1. They are still investigating Mr. Shandling’s cause of death.
2. They are aware that he suffered from parathyroid disease.
3. They are waiting on toxicology reports.
4. They have his medical file and are in communication with his doctors.
5. When they finish their investigation they will release an official cause of death.

As it has yet to be determined whether his heart attack was directly related to pHPT we must await forthcoming reports.

However, we do know that untreated pHPT and the “wait and see” model of care that many doctors ascribe to can lead to many serious health problems including heart attacks. Learn more here: http://www.parathyroid.com/parathyroid-symptoms.htm

Patients with primary hyperparathyroid disease have a shortened life expectancy. According to the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons

Large population-based studies show that patients with primary hyperparathyroidism appear to be at risk for premature death. Most of these deaths were due to cardiovascular disease or cancer. This data included both patients with and without symptoms. For example, in a study of 33,346 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism over an 11 year period, there was between a 20% and 58% higher mortality (chance of dying), often of cardiovascular disease, in primary hyperparathyroidism patients compared to patients with normal calcium levels.

Read full text here: http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/symptoms_life_expectancy.shtml

As patients who have been effected by this disease, we are working to educate the public so that..

• Patients as well as medical and mental healthcare professionals understand the symptoms and biochemical presentations of the disease so that diagnosis is timely.
• Medical professionals understand that the “wait and see” model of care is inadequate and leads to more serious health issues.
• Patients understand that currently surgical techniques vary dramatically. Change is needed to ensure the most advanced techniques are the standard of care.

The good news is that conditions that effect the heart that result from high calcium and parathyroid hormone levels can significantly, if not completely improve, once a patient is surgically cured by the removal of their non-cancerous adenoma(s) .  Read more here: http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/symptoms_cardiovascular.shtml

We will keep you posted as additional information becomes available.