Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is an increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the blood. This occurs from a disorder either within the parathyroid glands (primary hyperparathyroidism) or as response to external stimuli (secondary hyperparathyroidism).
| Hyperparathyroidism | |
|---|---|
| Thyroid and parathyroid | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Symptoms | None, kidney stones, weakness, depression, bone pains, confusion, increased urination |
| Complications | Osteoporosis |
| Usual onset | 50 to 60 |
| Types | Primary, secondary |
| Causes | Primary: parathyroid adenoma, multiple benign tumors, parathyroid cancer Secondary: vitamin D deficiency, chronic kidney disease, low blood calcium |
| Diagnostic method | High blood calcium and high PTH levels |
| Treatment | Monitoring, surgery, intravenous normal saline, cinacalcet |
| Frequency | ~2 per 1,000 |
Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism are caused by inappropriately normal or elevated blood calcium excreted from the bones and flowing into the blood stream in response to increased production of parathyroid hormone.
In healthy people, when blood calcium levels are high, parathyroid hormone levels should be low. With long-standing hyperparathyroidism, the most common symptom is kidney stones. Other symptoms may include bone pain, weakness, depression, confusion, and increased urination.
Both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism may result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones).