Types of Parathyroid Disorders
Your parathyroid glands are four tiny glands located at the four corners of your thyroid gland. They are about the size of a pea and produce hormones to regulate the calcium levels in your blood and urine. Parathyroid disorders occur when parathyroid glands don't function properly.
There are two main types of parathyroid disorders:
- ±á²â±è±ð°ù±è²¹°ù²¹³Ù³ó²â°ù´Ç¾±»å¾±²õ³¾â€”Overactive parathyroid glands that can cause bone thinning, fractures, or kidney stones
- ±Ê°ù¾±³¾²¹°ù²â—Occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands enlarge, which causes high blood calcium
- ³§±ð³¦´Ç²Ô»å²¹°ù²â—Occurs when you have low blood calcium due to other diseases, and all your parathyroid glands must overwork to maintain normal levels of blood calcium.
- ±á²â±è´Ç±è²¹°ù²¹³Ù³ó²â°ù´Ç¾±»å¾±²õ³¾â€”Underactive parathyroid glands that can cause low blood calcium
Parathyroid Symptoms
You may experience no symptoms or the following symptoms if you have primary hyperparathyroidism:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Bone and joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression or poor concentration
- Kidney stones
- Fractures
These symptoms typically occur when your blood calcium levels are high.
People with secondary hyperparathyroidism typically don't have symptoms.
If you have hypoparathyroidism, you may have some of these symptoms due to low calcium:
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms, aches, or cramps
- Tingling or burning in your lips, around your mouth, fingertips, or toes
When to See an Endocrinologist
Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you notice symptoms of a parathyroid problem. Your primary care provider will evaluate you with blood tests to find the cause of your symptoms. They may treat you or refer you to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in parathyroid disorders.
Find an Endocrinology Specialist
Parathyroid Tests for Diagnosis
Your endocrinologist will use several tests to diagnose a parathyroid disorder:
- Blood tests—Your endocrinologist may order blood tests that check your calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D levels and kidney function.
- Parathyroid localization scan—You will need to have a neck ultrasound, nuclear medicine sestamibi scan, or a 4D CT scan of your neck to determine which parathyroid glands are enlarged.
What Causes Parathyroid Disease?
There are several causes of parathyroid disorders.
- Primary hyperparathyroidism: Overactivity of one or more parathyroid glands
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism:
- Chronic kidney disesase
- Low intake or absorption of calcium
- Low intake or absorption of vitamin D
- Hypoparathyroidism:
- Damage to your parathyroid glands during surgery
- Certain medical conditions
Parathyroid Treatment
Treatment for parathyroid disorders varies depending on the condition you have. Our endocrinologists will put together comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to help manage your symptoms.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
We will recommend the following treatments for primary hyperparathyroidism:
- Monitor your symptoms and condition
- Overactive parathyroid gland removal surgery
- Prescribe cinacalcet (Sensipar®), a medicine used to reduce the blood calcium levels in patients who can't undergo or don't prefer surgery
Calcium & Vitamin D Supplements
You may take calcium and vitamin D supplements to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. Your endocrinologist may also prescribe a special active form of vitamin D called calcitriol.
Refer a Patient to the Thyroid & Parathyroid Clinic
You will need a provider referral to schedule an appointment at the Thyroid & Parathyroid Clinic. Referring providers may call 801-581-7761.
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