Head, neck, and breast disease

Parathyroid disease

What is parathyroid disease?

Despite their similar names, the parathyroid and thyroid glands are not the same. The four parathyroid glands are typically found on the back of the thyroid gland. However, they can also be found near the jaw or in the neck. When your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone in your bloodstream, you have hyperparathyroidism. PHT is a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands.

The PHT controls calcium exchange between the blood and the bones. Too much calcium is drawn out of the bones when the parathyroid gland is overactive. Hyperparathyroidism, also known as parathyroid illness, is when the thyroid gland produces too much parathormone.

Types of parathyroid diseases

There are two forms of hyperparathyroidism: primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

  • Primary hyperparathyroidism: An expansion of one or more parathyroid glands produces overproduction of the hormone. This results in elevated calcium levels in the blood, leading to a range of health issues. The most common treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism is surgery.
  • Secondary hyperthyroidism: Secondary hyperparathyroidism develops due to another illness that produces low calcium levels in the body to begin with. Increased parathyroid hormone levels develop over time.

Treatment for parathyroid disease

There are various treatment approaches for hyperparathyroidism, and these include:

  • Conservative management – this may require no further treatment. Monitoring includes physical exams, blood tests, and bone density measurements. This is appropriate if:
    • No symptoms present themselves
    • Lightly elevated calcium levels
    • Normal kidney function
    • Normal bone density
    • Secondary hyperparathyroidism is suspected
  • Surgery
    • Parathyroidectomy: The removal of one or more of the four parathyroid glands in the neck is known as a parathyroidectomy. People who have had their parathyroid tissue surgically removed will need to take calcium supplements for the rest of their lives. Calcium is given intravenously to people who have life-threatening low calcium levels or prolonged muscle spasms. Vitamin D supplements may be prescribed to some persons with primary HPT.
  • Medications: Calcimimetics are medications that reduce the quantity of PTH produced by the parathyroid glands. Cinacalcet, a medicine, has been licensed to treat secondary and primary HPT induced by dialysis and parathyroid malignancy. Cinacalcet is also approved for the treatment of hypercalcemia caused by primary HPT.
  • In frail patients, bisphosphonates might also be helpful in controlling hypercalcaemia.


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FAQ

1When is a parathyroidectomy indicated?
If your blood has too much calcium, this operation may be suggested.
2How long does recovery take?
After parathyroid surgery, it is important to monitor serum calcium levels. Hospitalisation is usually 2 to 3 days until the serum calcium levels have normalised. Recovery typically takes up to three weeks.
3How long does a parathyroidectomy take?
The procedure can take between 60 minutes and three hours.