Top 8 common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism to watch out for.

There are many potential health problems that people need to watch out for as they age, and hyperparathyroidism is one of them. In particular, women between the ages of 30 and 60 need to be alert for signs of hyperparathyroidism. Before patients understand what symptoms of hyperparathyroidism to look out for, it is helpful to know what hyperparathyroidism is and what the risk factors are.

What is hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when one of the four parathyroid glands in the neck becomes overactive. This causes a gland, or sometimes multiple glands, to produce too much parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) helps regulate calcium levels in the body. While calcium is best known for its role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, the mineral also aids in muscle contraction, regulates heart rhythm, supports nerve function, and facilitates proper blood clotting.

To prevent calcium in the bloodstream from falling too low, parathyroid hormone releases calcium from the bones into the bloodstream, maximizes the absorption of calcium from food, and helps the kidneys retain calcium and return it to the bloodstream instead of flushing it out in the urine.

If the parathyroid glands fail to make too much PTH, this means too much calcium is being released from the bones. There are three types of hyperparathyroidism.

Primary HPT: A noncancerous tumor (adenoma) grows on one or more of the four rice-sized parathyroid glands in the neck, causing an overproduction of PTH.

Secondary HPT: Disease outside the parathyroid glands, such as kidney disease or vitamin D deficiency, causes enlargement of all four parathyroid glands.

Tertiary HPT: This type of HPT occurs when secondary HPT persists after a kidney transplant or dialysis.

If left untreated, hyperparathyroidism can result in several complications, including osteoporosis and kidney stones.

Complications of untreated hyperparathyroidism. 

Calcium is essential for building healthy bones. However, overproduction of PTH means that calcium is constantly being pulled from the bones. This weakens them and can lead to fragility, fractures and osteoporosis.

Too much calcium in the blood can also cause the urine to carry too much calcium, resulting in kidney stones – small, hard deposits of calcium in your kidneys that must pass through the urinary tract to leave the body. This often leads to intense pain. If the stone is too large to pass through the urinary tract, medical intervention may be necessary to break up the stone, so it can pass through the body.

While these are the more common risks of untreated hyperparathyroidism, other complications can occur. Hyperparathyroidism is associated with heart disease. And while primary hyperparathyroidism is not common in women of childbearing age, untreated primary hyperparathyroidism in the mother can cause dangerously low calcium levels in newborns. Understanding the causes of the condition and the risk factors can help a person assess whether they might be at risk of developing the disease.

Hyperparathyroidism Risk factors and causes. 

Women in general, and women in their 50s and 60s in particular, are most at risk of developing hyperparathyroidism. While hyperparathyroidism can develop in menstruating women, it is less common. Men can get hyperparathyroidism too.

Anyone who has had radiation therapy or other cancer treatment aimed at the neck area is also at risk of developing hyperparathyroidism, as are those taking medications that can alter calcium levels. If hyperparathyroidism runs in a person's family, that person may be more likely to develop the condition due to heredity.

As with the risk factors for hyperparathyroidism, the causes of HPT can vary. In primary hyperparathyroidism, causes may include:

Parathyroid adenomas, which are benign tumors of the parathyroid glands

Hyperplasia or enlargement of all four parathyroid glands

Cancerous tumors on the parathyroid glands, which tend to be rare

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is most often caused by severe calcium deficiency, severe vitamin D deficiency, or chronic kidney failure. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism occurs after long-term secondary HPT, especially if HPT does not improve in a patient with kidney disease after treatment for kidney disease.

Top 8 Most common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. 

Hyperparathyroidism is known for its non-specific symptoms. People suffering from this condition may complain of depression and joint pain, only for the provider to shrug off symptoms like stress or aging. However, blood tests to measure PTH and calcium should be done if a person has one or more of the symptoms listed below.

The 8 most common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism are. 

Kidney stones

Abdominal pain

Bone and joint pain

Increased need to urinate

He gets tired too easily

Feeling weak

Depression

Nausea and vomiting

If you have any risk factors for hyperparathyroidism and are experiencing these symptoms, or even if you have no known risk factor for HPT, consulting with a parathyroid specialist is an important step toward finding treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of hyperparathyroidism. 

Hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed using blood tests that measure PTH and calcium levels in the blood. Computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, X-rays, and sestamibi scans can also help diagnose hyperparathyroidism. Additionally, these scans will help an experienced parathyroid surgeon identify where the problem gland is and map out a treatment plan.

Treatment may vary depending on whether the patient has primary, secondary, or tertiary HPT. Primary HPT requires surgery to remove the parathyroid glands that are causing the problem. Because secondary HPT is often caused by kidney problems, treatment for kidney disease, medications, and calcium and vitamin D supplements are common treatments. For tertiary HPT, both options are medication and surgery.

An experienced parathyroid surgeon can perform a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy to treat hyperparathyroidism. This operation does not require general anesthesia or an extended hospital stay. Additionally, the incision is small, and a good surgeon will take care to help the incision blend with the natural folds of the neck. Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism should begin to decrease in the days, weeks, and months following a parathyroidectomy.

Schedule a consultation. 

The CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery is directed by board-certified head and neck surgeon Babak Larian, MD, FACS. Dr. Larian uses state-of-the-art techniques, including intraoperative PTH testing and intraoperative pathology testing, to help ensure the success of every parathyroid surgery he performs. Dr. Larian values ​​every patient who walks through his doors and will work with the patient to create a treatment plan that takes into account the patient's symptoms, concerns and questions.

If you are concerned you may be experiencing one or more of the common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, schedule an appointment with a trusted surgeon or call Dr. Larian.