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Parathyroid Disorders

Most people have four pea-sized glands, called parathyroid glands, on the thyroid gland in the neck. Though their names are similar, the thyroid and parathyroid glands are completely different. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps your body keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorous.

If your parathyroid glands make too much or too little hormone, it disrupts this balance. If they secrete extra PTH, you have hyperparathyroidism, and your blood calcium rises. In many cases, a benign tumor on a parathyroid gland makes it overactive. Or, the extra hormones can come from enlarged parathyroid glands. Very rarely, the cause is cancer.

If you do not have enough PTH, you have hypoparathyroidism. Your blood will have too little calcium and too much phosphorous. Causes include injury to the glands, endocrine disorders, or genetic conditions. Treatment is aimed at restoring the balance of calcium and phosphorous.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Symptoms of Parathyroid Disorders

The following features are indicative of Parathyroid Disorders:
  • osteoporosis
  • kidney stones
  • excessive urination
  • abdominal pain
  • tiring easily or weakness
  • depression or forgetfulness
  • bone and joint pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
It is possible that Parathyroid Disorders shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Parathyroid Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Parathyroid Disorders:
  • noncancerous growth on a gland
  • enlargement of two or more parathyroid glands
  • severe calcium deficiency
  • severe vitamin D deficiency
  • chronic kidney failure

Risk Factors for Parathyroid Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Parathyroid Disorders:
  • woman who has gone through menopause
  • severe calcium or vitamin D deficiency
  • multiple endocrine neoplasia
  • radiation treatment for cancer

Prevention of Parathyroid Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Parathyroid Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • monitor calcium and vitamin D levels
  • drink plenty of fluids
  • exercise regularly
  • avoid smoking

Occurrence of Parathyroid Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Parathyroid Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Widely occurring between 500K - 1 Million cases

Common Age Group

Parathyroid Disorders most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged > 50 years

Common Gender

Parathyroid Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Parathyroid Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Parathyroid Disorders:
  • Blood tests: To confirm the elevated calcium in the blood
  • Bone mineral density test: To measure the bone mineral density
  • Urine test: To check how well the kidneys function
  • Imaging tests of kidneys: To determine if you have kidney stones or other kidney abnormalitie
  • Computerized tomography scanning: To improve detection of an abnormality
  • Ultrasound: To create images of the parathyroid glands and surrounding tissue

Doctor for Diagnosis of Parathyroid Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Parathyroid Disorders:
  • Endocrinologist
  • Nephrologists

Complications of Parathyroid Disorders if untreated

Yes, Parathyroid Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Parathyroid Disorders is left untreated:
  • osteoporosis
  • kidney stones
  • cardiovascular disease
  • neonatal hypoparathyroidism

Procedures for Treatment of Parathyroid Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Parathyroid Disorders:
  • Surgery: Removal of enlarged gland that have tumor

Self-care for Parathyroid Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Parathyroid Disorders:
  • Monitor calcium and vitamin D levels: Restrict the dietary calcium intake
  • Drink plenty of fluids: Clear urine to lessen the risk of kidney stones
  • Exercise regularly: Helps in maintaining strong bones
  • Don't smoke: Decreases the chances of bone loss

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Parathyroid Disorders.

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