Transplantation from a daughter with an overactive parathyroid gland to a mother without parathyroid glands became successful. After the successful operation, both mother and daughter regained their health. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Endocrine Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan, who performed the transplant, emphasized that as a Turkish physician, he is proud to realize this first and that the successful result can set a precedent and that satisfactory results can be obtained in similar cases. He said that this transplant, which was performed for the first time between first-degree relatives, would enter the literature. 

Hülya Ataoğlu, 54, living in Trabzon, developed parathyroid hormone deficiency after thyroid surgery performed 15 years ago due to damage to her parathyroid glands. For this reason, she had to undergo intensive drug therapy for many years. In addition to this, Hülya Ataoğlu, who had different problems in her body, had difficult times due to her illness that made her life difficult. Her 27-year-old daughter, Belemir, who would heal her, had been suffering from kidney stone problems for years, and it was determined that the reason for this was an overactive parathyroid gland. With the operation performed for the first time in the world, the overactive parathyroid gland in her daughter was transplanted to the mother and both mother and daughter regained their health. 

Stating that she experienced constant numbness, tingling, and sweating in her body after the removal of the parathyroid glands, Hülya Ataoğlu said, “I had to live under the doctor's control for years. I had to eat a calcium-rich diet and take calcium medications. But these were always insufficient, and my blood values, which I had to have constantly checked, were also low.” Belemir Ataoğlu, who stated that she had three operations due to kidney stones, said that they did a lot of research to find a cure for the conditions she experienced simultaneously with her mother and that they finally contacted Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan and received treatment.

“Possibility of My Mother's Recovery Made Me Stronger”

Belemir Ataoğlu, who explained that she had been experiencing constant pain and ache due to the stones in her kidneys for ten years, and that she had undergone surgeries, stated, “As a result of our research, it was a great chance to reach here and encounter such a solution. Knowing that excess tissue in my body would heal my mother while I was going into surgery made me stronger. It is very nice to be a first in the world achieved in Turkey and to be a part of it.”

“We Became Closer with My Daughter”

Saying “Before the transplant, I was more worried about my daughter than myself. Because I could not help her. However, after the treatment, we both did very well. We don't have problems anymore”, mother Hülya Ataoğlu continued her words as follows:

“I no longer have any numbness. My parathyroid hormone levels and calcium levels have also increased. I left all my medications. We are very happy. Knowing that I carry my daughter's tissue in my body makes me feel young and alive. It is like I was reborn. We were already very close with my daughter, now we became one.”

“We Took from the Rich and Gave to the Poor”

Stating that the parathyroid glands, located just behind the thyroid gland, are the smallest organs of the human body, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Endocrine Surgery specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said, “Since the parathyroid glands are quite small, they can be overlooked and damaged during thyroid surgeries, and as a result, the patient may experience lifelong calcium deficiency problems.”

Prof. Ayşan made the following statements on the subject:

“During the mother, Hülya Ataoğlu's thyroid surgery performed 15 years ago, her parathyroid glands were damaged and it started to function less. In such cases, if the patient is not transplanted, he/she has to use medications for life. On the other hand, we found an overactivity in one of the parathyroid glands of Ms. Hülya's daughter, Belemir. This was the cause of kidney stones. This was a very good coincidence that resulted in the well-being of both patients. Because the genetic structures of the mother and daughter are similar, the success of the transplant would be very high. As a result, we took the excess tissue from Belemir and filled the deficiency in Ms. Hülya. So to speak, we took from the rich and gave to the poor by acting as Robin Hood in the medical sense.”

“Our Case Will Enter the International Literature”

Underlining that parathyroid transplantation can only be done in a few centers in the world, Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said that this requires serious laboratory infrastructure and trained personnel. Prof. Ayşan continued his words as follows:

“We have done many parathyroid transplants before, but this is the first time we are performing this transplant between first-degree relatives. No such transplant has ever been carried out in the world. Thus, we have taken the first step to answer the question of what would be the success rate in transplantation between relatives and we have shown that the first transplant became successful. Now, we will write this transplant as a scientific article and ensure that it enters the international literature.”

“The Only Transplant in which Both the Recipient and the Donor Regained Their Health”

Stating that he was happy as a scientist after this successful transplant between mother and daughter, Prof. Ayşan said, “Many organs are transplanted in the world, but parathyroid transplantation is the only type of transplantation in which both the organ recipient and the organ donor regain their health by transplanting an excess organ in a person's body to another person.”

Those Who Pass Kidney Stones Frequently, Beware!

Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Endocrine Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said that the reason for the overactivity of the parathyroid glands is not known, and stated, “People who frequently drop kidney stones and people who have calcification problems in their veins should have their calcium levels in the blood checked. These measurements can be made free of charge even at family health centers. People with blood calcium above 11 will most likely have overactive parathyroid glands. These patients should immediately consult an Endocrinology or Endocrine Surgery Specialist. After the diagnosis, which is confirmed by detailed tests, a surgical intervention without delay can prevent vascular and kidney problems before they begin.”

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