Parathyroid glands
The parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland and are normally about the size of a grain of wheat.
Their primary function is to maintain calcium levels within a narrow range, which is essential for the proper functioning of many body functions, including heart activity, muscle function, nerve signaling, and hormone secretion.
Hyperparathyroidism - elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more parathyroid glands secrete excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH) uncontrollably.
The most common cause is a benign tumor (adenoma) of a single parathyroid gland.
Prolonged elevated calcium levels can lead to a variety of health problems, including:
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Kidney stones
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Osteoporosis
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Heart rhythm disturbances
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High blood pressure
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Heart failure
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Depression
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Chronic fatigue
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Insomnia
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Muscle weakness
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Bone and joint pain
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Pancreatitis
Patients with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism live on average nearly six years less than the general population.
Since symptoms develop gradually, about 70% of patients are unaware they have the disease. Often, elevated calcium levels are found in routine lab tests, but these results are frequently overlooked for a long time.
Diagnosis is based on laboratory findings. When both PTH and calcium levels are elevated simultaneously (even if within the upper range of normal), primary hyperparathyroidism is almost certainly present.
Vitamin D levels in these patients are always low; this is a consequence, not a cause of the disease. After parathyroid surgery, vitamin D levels usually return to normal in most patients.
Treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is surgical. For patients with contraindications to surgery, thermal ablation may be an alternative.
The success rate of surgery is very high, and most patients experience significant improvement of symptoms within a few weeks after the procedure.