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Hyperparathyroidism

What is hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when 1 or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive. You have 4 of these tiny glands. Each one is about the size of a grain of rice. They are found in your neck, next to the thyroid gland. They keep the amount of calcium in your blood in a normal range. If these glands are overactive, they make too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). That raises the level of calcium in your blood.

PTH causes calcium to be released from your bones. This loss of calcium from the bones can lead to weak, brittle bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis), and bone fractures. When the blood with this high calcium goes through the kidneys, the calcium may be filtered into the urine. That can lead to kidney stones.

Treatments

How is hyperparathyroidism treated?

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:

  • Your age, overall health, and past health/li>
  • How sick you are/li>
  • How well you can handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies/li>
  • How long the condition is expected to last/li>
  • Your opinion or preference

Treatment options include:

Surgery. If your case is more severe, your parathyroid gland may need to be removed. Before surgery, you may have an imaging test to find out which gland is abnormal. You may have an ultrasound of the neck. Knowing which gland is abnormal will shorten the surgery. It will also allow the surgeon to make a smaller cut (incision) right over the abnormal gland.

No surgery.

Medicines. Ask your healthcare provider about new medicines that may be available.

Living with hyperparathyroidism

You will likely need to have your calcium levels and bone density checked from time to time. Your healthcare provider will then be able to make sure your problem is under control.

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Treatments for Hyperparathyroidism

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Symptoms and Screenings for Hyperparathyroidism

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What are the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?

Each person may have symptoms in a different way. But these are the most common symptoms and signs:

  • Joint aches and pains
  • Depression
  • Belly (abdominal) pain
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Tiredness
  • Urinating more than normal
  • Confusion
  • Muscle weakness
  • Osteoporosis
  • Kidney stones

These symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is hyperparathyroidism diagnosed?

A blood test can often find hyperparathyroidism. It can spot high levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone. You may also need a urine test. This can measure the calcium in your urine over 24 hours.

Causes and Preventions for Hyperparathyroidism

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What causes hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism most often happens when one of your parathyroid glands gets larger or has a tumor on it. The gland then makes too much parathyroid hormone. Most people with this problem have 1 abnormal gland. Some people may have 2 abnormal glands. A small number of people have 4 abnormal glands. Having 4 abnormal glands is rare. It is often a genetic problem.

Who is at risk for hyperparathyroidism?

You may be more likely to have hyperparathyroidism if:

  • You are a woman who has already gone through menopause
  • You have a family history of related conditions
  • You have had radiation therapy on your head and neck
  • You have taken lithium, a medicine used to treat bipolar disorder

Education and Resources for Hyperparathyroidism

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Support groups for Hyperparathyroidism

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Learn More about Hyperparathyroidism

Vidant Health can connect you to health care professionals to help you understand your condition and guide you through the treatment process. Let’s chat.

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