The parathyroid glands control the body’s calcium levels. Parathyroid disease can disrupt the balance of calcium levels in the body, causing unpleasant and debilitating symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 of the most commonly asked questions about the parathyroid.
1. What is the Parathyroid?
The parathyroid glands are pea-sized glands that sit behind each wing of the thyroid gland. There are normally four- parathyroid glands, but some people may have more or fewer. Sometimes, these glands can even be located in other locations, such as the esophagus or chest.
2. What Does the Parathyroid Do?
The parathyroid glands function as one and produce the parathyroid hormone (PTH) that controls blood calcium levels. Parathyroid hormone has various functions, including:
Calcium Regulation
Parathyroid hormone works constantly to keep calcium levels in your blood within a safe range. Precise calcium levels are vital because even minor changes can lead to nerve and muscle problems.
Most of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, and only one percent of it circulates in the bloodstream. Although the amount of calcium in your blood is small, it’s crucial and helps:
- Maintain bone strength
- Ensure blood clots as it should
- Help muscles contract for mobility
- Keep your heart and nerves functioning properly
- Vitamin D Regulation
Vitamin D maintains optimal calcium levels in the body by helping the intestines absorb calcium. Parathyroid hormone prompts cells in the kidney to convert inactive vitamin D into an active form that can absorb calcium from the small intestines.
It also instructs the kidneys to hold back more calcium rather than eliminating it from the body through urine.
3. What are the Common Types of Parathyroid Disease?
The most common diseases involving the parathyroid glands include:
Hyperparathyroidism
In some people, the parathyroid can create too much parathyroid hormone. When that occurs, it’s known as hyperparathyroidism.
There are three forms of hyperparathyroidism, including:
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism
With primary hyperparathyroidism, an enlargement of one or more parathyroid glands leads to the overproduction of the parathyroid hormone. Because of this, calcium levels in the blood increase, causing various health problems.
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
In secondary hyperparathyroidism, certain conditions cause low calcium levels in the blood. Low calcium levels trigger the parathyroid glands to release more parathyroid hormone which causes bone erosion and other problems.
This can happen if you have kidney disease, calcium deficiency, or vitamin D deficiency.
- Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism occurs when the parathyroid glands have overgrown and can’t stop making the parathyroid hormone. As a result, calcium levels remain high persistently.
The common causes of tertiary hyperparathyroidism include untreated secondary hyperparathyroidism and chronic kidney disease.
Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism
Most people with hyperparathyroidism don’t experience symptoms. Those who do may experience the following:
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Depression
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Kidney stones
- Increased thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Excessive urination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Joint and bone pain
- Forgetfulness or memory issues
- Regularly feeling ill with no apparent cause
- Weak, fragile bones that break easily (osteoporosis)
People with tertiary hyperparathyroidism may also have:
- Itchiness
- Kidney disease
- Calcium deposits in the blood vessels and soft tissue
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism happens when the parathyroid glands don’t create enough parathyroid hormone. The low production of parathyroid hormone leads to low calcium levels in the blood and increases phosphorus levels.
The various causes of hypoparathyroidism include:
- Genetic disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Low magnesium levels
- Surgical removal of the glands
- Radiation therapy to the head or neck
- Accidental damage during thyroid or neck surgery
Symptoms of Hypoparathyroidism
Some of the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism are:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Heart failure
- Abdominal pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Weakness or fatigue
- Anxiety or depression
- Painful menstrual periods
- Tingling in the toes, lips, or fingers
- Muscle spasms or cramps in the face, lower back, legs, or feet
- Long-term, low calcium levels may cause:
- Hair loss
- Cataracts
- Brittle nails
- Bone disease
- Dental issues
- Dry, scaly skin
- Movement disorders such as tremors
Parathyroid Cancer
Parathyroid cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the tissue of the parathyroid glands. Often, parathyroid cancer causes the parathyroid glands to become overactive and produce too much parathyroid hormone, which results in elevated calcium levels in the blood.
4. What are the Treatment Options for Parathyroid Disease?
Treatment will depend on several factors, including the type of parathyroid disease, and they may include:
Hyperparathyroidism Treatment
Your ENT specialist at Chicago ENT may recommend surgery to stop overactive glands, where they will only remove enlarged glands. If all of your parathyroid glands are enlarged, your ENT specialist will remove three enlarged glands and a portion of the fourth one.
If you can’t have surgery, your ENT specialist may prescribe:
- Calcimimetics, which imitates the calcium in the blood and tells the parathyroid glands to create less parathyroid hormone
- Bisphosphonates to improve bone density and prevent the loss of calcium from your bones, decreasing the risk of osteoporosis
Hypoparathyroidism Treatment
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and correct the amount of calcium and phosphorous in your body. Your treatment options can include:
- Oral calcium supplements to boost calcium levels in your blood
- Magnesium supplements to increase the levels of magnesium if they’re low
- Vitamin D, usually in the form of calcitriol, to remove phosphorous and aid your body in absorbing calcium
- Parathyroid hormone replacement, which your ENT specialist may prescribe as daily injections of vitamin D and calcium supplements, can’t effectively control your calcium levels
Parathyroid Cancer Treatment
The primary treatment for parathyroid cancer is the surgical removal of the overactive parathyroid. Before surgery, you might require treatment to regulate the amount of calcium in your blood.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to eradicate the cancer cells and prevent them from growing and spreading.
World-Class Parathyroid Care at Chicago ENT
Dr. Michael Friedman at Chicago ENT is one of the world’s top parathyroid experts and surgeons. Dr. Friedman will accurately diagnose your condition and tailor an individualized treatment plan to eliminate your symptoms and help you feel like yourself again.
Do you think you could have a parathyroid problem? Schedule your appointment today at Chicago ENT at one of our six convenient locations to start your journey to finding long-lasting relief.
