Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism:

Parathyroid is four glands behind the thyroid gland of the neck. Hormones are made by this parathyroid. The right levels of calcium in bones and blood are kept by parathyroid hormone.

The work of parathyroid hormone is losing calcium through urine and absorbing calcium from foods. Sometimes, parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone. This condition is known as Hyperparathyroidism. It is often affected the nervous system, teeth, muscles and bones.

Causes of hyperparathyroidism:

Calcium is very important mineral in the body and keeping bones and teeth healthy. Levels of Phosphorus and calcium are maintained by parathyroid glands by producing the parathyroid hormone. Sometimes the level of calcium also maintain by vitamin D in blood. The main cause of hyperparathyroidism is production of excess parathyroid hormone in body.

Types of hyperparathyroidism:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism

• Secondary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism: This type of hyperparathyroidism is mostly caused by production of excess hormone in the body. Sometimes, it can be caused by enlarged size of two or more parathyroid glands. It also can be caused by cancer or tumor of glands in rare cases.

Secondary hyper parathyroidism: This type of hyperthyroidism is occurred less in human body. It can be caused by excess production of parathyroid hormone by parathyroid glands due to other medical problems. This type of hyperparathyroidism is caused by problems of deficiency of vitamin D such as malabsorption problems, kidney failure and rickets.

Signs and symptoms of hyperparathyroidism:

• Feeling of fatigue
• Severe pain in neck
• Kidney stone
• Vomiting and nausea
• Poor memory
• Pancreatitis or heartburn
• Abdominal pain and thinning bones
• Weakness of muscle
• Hypercalciuria and increased thirst
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Pain in other parts of the body

Diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism:

Blood tests and screening tests will be recommended by the health care providers to check the high levels of calcium in blood.

Urine test: Urine test is preferred by the health care providers to examine the amount of calcium in urine. This test is very effective to diagnose the hyperparathyroidism.

Bone mineral density test: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry test is the best screening test to diagnose the weakness of bone. This test is very effective and gives rapidly accurate results. Sometimes, quantitative computerized tomography scanning and ultrasound are also recommended by the doctor to check the density of bones.

Treatment:

The types of treatment depend on the signs and symptoms of hyperparathyroidism.

Surgery: Surgery is the best treatment to remove the affected parathyroid glands. There are four small glands behind the thyroid of your neck. If all glands are enlarged, only three of them and some parts of the fourth glands can be removed by the surgeon. Now, radioguided parathyroidectomy can be used by the doctor.

Medications: Medications are used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism. Sometimes, replacement of vitamin D is used to reduce the excess production of parathyroid hormones.

Hormone replacement therapy: sometimes of hormone replacement therapy may be used to reduce the problems. But taking progestin and oral estrogen can be increased the risk of stroke, breast cancer and dementia. You should converse with your doctor about the types of treatment, risks and decide what the best treatment for you is.

Prevention:

• You should drinks lots of water.
• You should do exercise such as walking, running, skipping rope and weight bearing exercise regularly.
• You should avoid smoking.
• You should get adequate amount of vitamin D.