What are parathyroid disorders?
Parathyroid disorders can cause abnormally high, or low, levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. These disorders cause several serious health problems including: brittle bones, fatigue, kidney stones, weakness, and other health issues.
What are parathyroid glands?
Your four parathyroid glands are each about the size of a rice grain. Located near the thyroid gland, they are part of the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones into the blood. Hormones control most bodily functions such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
What are the functions of parathyroid glands?
When the parathyroid glands are functioning properly, they sense when calcium and phosphorus levels are too low or too high. When they’re too low, the glands release parathyroid hormone (PTH). This causes the bones to release calcium into the bloodstream. PTH also signals the kidneys to increase vitamin D production to increase calcium absorption in the intestines. If calcium is too high, PTH production and secretion decreases.
Why do we need calcium?
Calcium and phosphorus are important for muscle contractions and to transmit nerve signals. It also keeps bones and teeth healthy.
What causes parathyroid disorders?
In general, parathyroid disorders happen when PTH levels are too high or too low. Specific parathyroid disorders include hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.
What is hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism is an overactive parathyroid gland that produces too much PTH. It is usually caused by an enlargement of one or more parathyroid glands. Too much PTH causes blood calcium to rise (hypercalcemia). Your body releases more calcium into the blood from your bones; intestines absorb more calcium from food sources; and kidneys retain calcium and send it back into your bloodstream instead of secreting it in urine.
There are two types of hyperparathyroidism, primary and secondary.
Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused when your parathyroid glands produce and release too much PTH. Overproduction of PTH is how your body works to keep calcium levels normal.
Causes can include:
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is caused by another condition in the body that lowers calcium levels. This causes the parathyroid to overwork and compensate for calcium loss. Although it initially decreases calcium levels, over time, PTH levels can increase. Conditions causing it include:
Hypoparathyroidism — the opposite of hyperparathyroidism — happens when the parathyroid glands don’t produce enough PTH. It can be caused by:
Who’s at highest risk for parathyroid disorders?
Hypoparathyroidism is much less common than hyperparathyroidism.
You have a higher risk of hyperparathyroidism if you:
What are the symptoms of parathyroid disorders?
Early in the disease, there may be no symptoms. If symptoms occur, it’s because of damage to or dysfunction in other parts of the body, due to the long-term effects of too much calcium in the blood and too little calcium in your bones.
Symptoms of mild hyperparathyroidism can include:
Symptoms of more severe hyperparathyroidism include:
Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism may include:
Some symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, which cannot be reversed with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, include:
How are parathyroid disorders diagnosed?
Symptoms can be absent, or too vague to notice. If symptoms are present, they are common to many other conditions and a parathyroid disorder can be easily missed.
Your doctor will start by taking your health history and symptoms, and doing a physical exam. Additional test include:
How are parathyroid disorders treated?
For milder hyperparathyroidism cases, the only treatment may be:
If your parathyroid gland is enlarged, or your symptoms severe, you may need:
Treatment for hypoparathyroidism is calcium and phosphorus supplements to normalize your levels. Depending on the cause, you may need to take supplements for life.
At Inland Endocrine, we are highly trained specialists who provide the individual care and attention that will speed your recovery from parathyroid disorders. Call today for an appointment with Inland Endocrine’s treatment team.
University of Michigan Health. N.d. Parathyroid Disorders. Retrieved 7-7-21, {https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/endocrinology-diabetes-and-metabolism/parathyroid-disorders}
Cleveland Clinic. N.d. Hyperparathyroidism. Retrieved 7-7-21, {https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14454-hyperparathyroidism}
Michels, TC and Kelly, KM. 2013. Parathyroid Disorders. American Family Physician. Retrieved 7-8-2021, {https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0815/p249.html}
Mayo Clinic. 2020. Hyperparathyroidism. Retrieved 7-8-2021, {https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194}
Mayo Clinic. 2020. Hypoparathyroidism. Retrieved 7-8-2021,
{https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20355375}
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Jodi Nagelberg is an endocrinologist, with board certification in Internal Medicine. She also holds a masters in Health Administration and Policy. She joins TeleMed2U as Endocrinology Director and supports our mission to increase access to healthcare for patients everywhere.
Postgraduate: University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy Los Angeles, CA Masters, Health Administration and Policy, 2011
