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Hyperparathyroidism

By

James L. Lewis III

, MD, Brookwood Baptist Health and Saint Vincent’s Ascension Health, Birmingham

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
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Hyperparathyroidism occurs when overactive parathyroid glands cause levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood to become elevated. An elevated PTH level then leads to a high level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).

  • Symptoms are due to the high level of calcium in the blood and include weakness and fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, memory loss, poor concentration, confusion, and increased urination.

  • Diagnosis is by measuring levels of parathyroid hormone and calcium in the blood.

  • Surgery may be done to remove one or more overactive glands.

The parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland. Their exact location, and even the total number of glands, is quite variable. These glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood and tissues through its effects on bones, the kidneys, and the intestine. (See also Overview of Parathyroid Function. Overview of Parathyroid Function (See also Overview of the Thyroid Gland; Hypercalcemia; and Hypocalcemia.) The thyroid is a small gland, measuring about 2 inches (5 centimeters) across, that lies just under the skin below... read more )

Hyperparathyroidism can also be the result of hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Hyperplasia is when there is an overall increase in size of an organ or tissue. In parathyroid hyperplasia, each parathyroid gland is enlarged. The cells of the gland appear normal when examined under a microscope, so it is not considered a type of cancer, but medical treatment or surgery is needed to reduce the amount of parathyroid tissue and restore the overactive parathyroid to normal.

The Parathyroid Glands

The Parathyroid Glands

There are three types of hyperparathyroidism:

  • Primary hyperparathyroidism, due to a disorder of one or more parathyroid glands

  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism, due to a disorder elsewhere in the body that decreases the level of calcium in the blood (which makes the parathyroid gland increase PTH secretion in order to raise the calcium level)

  • Tertiary hyperparathyroidism, due to oversecretion of PTH that is not related to the level of calcium in the blood and is not caused by a parathyroid adenoma

Primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism results from excessive secretion of PTH due to a disorder of one or more parathyroid glands. About 85% of people with primary hyperparathyroidism have a parathyroid adenoma Parathyroid Adenoma The parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland. Their exact location, and even the total number of glands, is quite variable. These glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which... read more (a noncancerous tumor) involving just one parathyroid gland. About 15% of cases are due to hyperplasia or enlargement of all the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid cancer Parathyroid Cancer The parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland. Their exact location, and even the total number of glands, is quite variable. These glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which... read more , which usually involves just one parathyroid gland, occurs in less than 1% of cases.

The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism increases with age and is higher in postmenopausal women. It also frequently occurs three or more decades after receiving radiation to the neck.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism results when PTH is secreted regardless of the calcium level in the blood. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism generally occurs in people with long-standing secondary hyperparathyroidism and in those who have had chronic kidney disease Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic kidney disease is a slowly progressive (months to years) decline in the kidneys’ ability to filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure... read more for several years.

Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism often has no symptoms. Symptoms, when they occur, are due to hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and include weakness and fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, poor concentration, memory loss, confusion, and increased urination.

Complications

Hypercalcemia frequently causes high levels of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria), which can lead to kidney stones Stones in the Urinary Tract Stones (calculi) are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, or an infection or block of the flow of urine. Tiny stones may cause no symptoms, but larger stones... read more Stones in the Urinary Tract . Chronic hypercalcemia may also cause weakness and wasting of muscles.

Excess PTH stimulates activity in bone cells (osteoclasts), which over time can cause the bones to weaken from loss of calcium.

Diagnosis of Hyperparathyroidism

  • Blood tests

It is common for a person with hyperparathyroidism to have no symptoms. Doctors often first recognize that hyperparathyroidism may be a problem when a blood test, usually done for another reason, shows an elevated level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).

Once hypercalcemia is confirmed, doctors usually then check the PTH level in the blood. The test is frequently repeated. The finding of a persistently elevated PTH level in a person with hypercalcemia confirms hyperparathyroidism. Normally, PTH regulates calcium in the blood. When calcium is low, the parathyroid glands secrete more PTH to increase calcium in the blood. When calcium in the blood is high, the parathyroid glands slow PTH secretion. Thus, having a high or even high normal PTH level at the same time as a high calcium level, is not normal.

Sometimes imaging tests of the neck (for example,ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography) are done to pinpoint the location of an abnormal parathyroid gland.

Treatment of Hyperparathyroidism

  • Measures to lower blood calcium level

  • Often surgery

Treatment for hyperparathyroidism depends on its severity.

For people with primary hyperparathyroidism who have no symptoms and for whom surgery is not indicated, the underlying hypercalcemia may be treated with measures designed to lower the level of calcium in the blood.

Doctors encourage people to remain active because inactivity could worsen hypercalcemia. Doctors may also recommend that people follow a low-calcium diet, drink plenty of fluid to minimize the chance of kidney stones Stones in the Urinary Tract Stones (calculi) are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, or an infection or block of the flow of urine. Tiny stones may cause no symptoms, but larger stones... read more Stones in the Urinary Tract , and avoid medications that can raise the blood calcium level (for example, thiazide diuretics, which may be used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure).

For people with severe hypercalcemia caused by primary hyperparathyroidism who are unable to undergo surgery, doctors sometimes prescribe medications that lower PTH and calcium levels, such as cinacalcet or etelcalcetide.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the parathyroid glands (parathyroidectomy) is indicated for people with symptoms and for those with worsening hyperparathyroidism. Whether people with primary hyperparathyroidism who have no symptoms need surgery is unclear.

Many experts, however, recommend surgery when

  • Laboratory values in the blood and urine (for example, abnormalities in calcium and creatinine) reach certain levels.

  • Bone density at the hip and/or lumbar spine is low.

  • The person is younger than 50 years old.

  • The person may not follow up appropriately with the prescribed treatment.

During surgery, a parathyroid gland that has an adenoma is removed. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) level in the blood is measured before and after removal of the abnormal gland(s). If PTH levels fall by 50% or more 10 minutes after the adenoma is removed, the treatment is considered a success.

In people with hyperplasia of all parathyroid glands, surgery involves removal of each gland. A small portion of a normal-appearing parathyroid gland is reimplanted in one of the sternocleidomastoid muscles on either side of the neck or under the skin in the forearm. Reimplantation is done to prevent hypoparathyroidism Hypoparathyroidism Hypoparathyroidism is a deficiency of parathyroid hormone (PTH) often caused by an autoimmune disorder, treatment-related damage to the parathyroid glands, or removal of the glands during surgery... read more , a deficiency of PTH. Occasionally, parathyroid tissue is set aside and frozen (called cryopreservation) to allow for later transplantation in the same person in case persistent hypoparathyroidism develops.

When hyperparathyroidism has been mild, blood calcium levels drop to just below normal within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. In moderate and severe hyperparathyroidism, calcium levels must be monitored closely for the first several days after surgery to make sure calcium does not go too low.

Hyperparathyroidism in kidney failure

Hyperparathyroidism in people with kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more is due to a complex set of problems involving vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone. Treatment is with active forms of vitamin D, restriction of phosphate in the diet, and the use of oral phosphate binders (medications that reduce the absorption of phosphate from food) and medications that lower PTH and calcium levels, such as cinacalcet or etelcalcetide.

Hyperphosphatemia (excess phosphate in the blood) should be prevented or treated if present in people with kidney failure. Doctors restrict the amount of phosphate in the person's diet and prescribe phosphate-binding agents, such as calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, lanthanum, or sevelamer to be take with each meal. Both approaches are usually needed, especially in patients with kidney failure who are on dialysis.

People with kidney failure frequently need vitamin D supplements to improve calcium absorption, but the improved calcium absorption can increase phosphate absorption too and contribute to hyperparathyroidism. People with advanced kidney disease, especially those with kidney failure, require close monitoring of their calcium and phosphate levels and frequent adjustment of the dosages of the medications they are taking.

Doctors can also give cinacalcet or etelcalcetide to people receiving dialysis to decrease the level of PTH when vitamin D, phosphate restriction, or phosphate binders are ineffective or unable to be used safely.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
NATPARA
Sensipar
PARSABIV
Calcidol, Calciferol, D3 Vitamin, DECARA, Deltalin, Dialyvite Vitamin D, Dialyvite Vitamin D3, Drisdol, D-Vita, Enfamil D-Vi-Sol, Ergo D, Fiber with Vitamin D3 Gummies Gluten-Free, Happy Sunshine Vitamin D3, MAXIMUM D3, PureMark Naturals Vitamin D, Replesta, Replesta Children's, Super Happy SUNSHINE Vitamin D3, Thera-D 2000, Thera-D 4000, Thera-D Rapid Repletion, THERA-D SPORT, UpSpring Baby Vitamin D, UpSpring Baby Vitamin D3, YumVs, YumVs Kids ZERO, YumVs ZERO
AcidFree, Alka-Mints, Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer Heartburn Relief, Alkets , Antacid Fast Dissolve, Calcarb 600, Calci-Chew , Calci-Mix , Calcium Antacid, Cal-Gest , Caltrate, Maalox, Maalox Antacid Barrier, Maalox Quick Dissolve, Mylanta Children's, Nephro-Calci , Pepto-Bismol Children's, Rolaids Extra Strength, Titralac, Titralac Extra Strength, Tums, Tums Chewy Bites , Tums Cool Relief, Tums E-X, Tums Freshers, Tums Kids, Tums Lasting Effects, Tums Smooth Dissolve, Tums Smoothies, Tums Ultra
Calphron, Eliphos, PhosLo, Phoslyra
RenaGel, Renvela
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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