Hyperparathyroidism means that your parathyroid glands are too active. These are tiny glands in the neck. They sit behind the thyroid gland. They make a hormone that helps control how much calcium is in the blood. When these glands make too much hormone, the amount of calcium in the blood goes up.
Most people with this problem have no symptoms. But it can cause constipation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and depression. It also can lead to high blood pressure, ulcers, kidney stones, and weak bones.
This problem often is caused by a tumor on the parathyroid glands. The tumor usually is not cancer. You may need surgery to take out one or more of the glands.
Hyperparathyroidism is overactivity of the tiny glands in the neck that are next to the thyroid gland (parathyroid glands). The parathyroid glands release a substance called parathyroid hormone that helps control the amount of calcium in the bloodstream.
When the parathyroid glands produce too much hormone, the amount of calcium in the blood increases. The body removes calcium from the bones, absorbs more calcium from the intestines, and releases less calcium into the urine. This can result in constipation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and other symptoms. It can also lead to kidney stones and weakening of the bones (osteoporosis).
Hyperparathyroidism may develop because of a tumor on the parathyroid gland, as a side effect of treatment for other conditions (such as Paget's disease), or for unknown reasons. Surgery may be needed to remove part or all of the parathyroid glands.
Most people with hyperparathyroidism have no symptoms when they're diagnosed. But when it does cause symptoms, they can include:
Treatment for hyperparathyroidism depends on how mild or severe it is. It also depends on what you and your doctor decide is right for you.
Treatment options include:
In mild cases, when there are no symptoms from high calcium and the calcium level is not very high, a doctor may suggest watchful waiting. That means doing regular tests to look for signs that hyperparathyroidism is getting worse or causing other health problems and needs more treatment.
When hyperparathyroidism is causing health problems from high calcium levels, doctors usually recommend surgery. Removing the problem parathyroid gland(s) is the only treatment that can cure this condition. Surgery can also be an option for people who don't yet have symptoms but are concerned about possible bone or kidney problems in the future.
While medicine can't cure hyperparathyroidism, it may help with symptoms from high calcium or with bone strength. If you can't have surgery for a medical reason, talk to your doctor about medicine for better bone strength or for lowering your calcium levels.
Each treatment choice has its own risks and benefits. Make sure you understand the possible benefits, along with which risks are greatest for you. Find out how each treatment choice may affect your long-term health.
When talking about the risks and benefits of a treatment option, ask your doctor:
Your doctor does a blood test to check your parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. A high level of PTH is the main sign of this condition.
A routine blood test showing a high calcium level is often the first sign of hyperparathyroidism.
When you have hyperparathyroidism, it's important to have regular checkups. Tests can include:
If you have hyperparathyroidism, use these healthy tips.
Hyperparathyroidism often is caused by a growth on one or more parathyroid glands, or by enlarged glands. In some cases, it runs in families. It can also be caused by certain health conditions or medicines. For example, it can be caused by chronic kidney disease or the medicine lithium.
Hyperparathyroidism means that one or more of your four parathyroid glands may be too active. These are tiny glands in the neck, behind the thyroid gland. When they're too active, they make too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone helps control how much calcium is in your blood.
When a parathyroid gland makes too much PTH, the amount of calcium in your blood goes up. Some of this calcium comes from your bones. That means that hyperparathyroidism can lead to weak bones and a greater risk of broken bones. The extra calcium in the blood can also lead to kidney stones and other health problems.
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Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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