Parathyroid disorders

You probably know that calcium is crucial for healthy bones, but it does much more than just protect your bones. Calcium can also be found in every cell of the body, so having too much or too little calcium can significantly impact your physical health as well as your emotions and cognitive function. The body’s calcium levels are regulated by parathyroid hormone and Vitamin D. If you have high calcium levels in the blood because of a parathyroid imbalance, you might develop symptoms of fatigue, joint pain, depression, excessive thirst and excessive urination. Because these symptoms often develop gradually, many people with a parathyroid disorder accept feeling ‘not quite right’ and might go a long time before seeking help.

You have four small, pea-sized glands at each pole of the thyroid gland called the parathyroid glands. They are entirely separate and unrelated to the thyroid gland. Your parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is responsible for keeping blood calcium levels in a set range. They also secrete the hormone calcitonin, which regulates calcium levels by blocking the release of bone calcium and increasing the loss of calcium in the urine.

Most of the body’s calcium is stored in our skeleton, and every day we also acquire calcium from our diet and lose some in our urine. Parathyroid hormone regulates our calcium levels in three interconnected systems:  

• It stimulates our bones to release calcium into the blood.
• It aids our intestines in the absorption of calcium from food.
• It controls the loss of calcium through urine in our kidneys.

Problems can arise if your parathyroid glands become overactive and produce too much parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism) or if they do not produce enough (hypoparathyroidism). 

Hyperparathyroidism is the overproduction of parathyroid hormone, which results in high serum calcium levels. It can happen as a result of one or more of your parathyroid glands becoming enlarged or due to the formation of a small benign tumour called a parathyroid adenoma. 

Although hyperparathyroidism becomes more common with older age, this condition frequently goes undiagnosed. If untreated, high serum calcium levels can cause long-term complications, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and depression. If your calcium levels are very high, treatment becomes urgent because too much calcium can cause abnormalities in heart rhythms and muscle function. 

Hypoparathyroidism is the underproduction of parathyroid hormone, which results in low calcium levels in the blood. It is a rare condition that is easily treated with vitamin D supplements.

Endocrinologists have a higher level of experience and ongoing training that cannot be matched by a general practitioner. Parathyroid disorders should be treated by a consultant endocrinologist who will ensure that you have access to the latest cutting-edge diagnostic investigations and treatments. 

Book a consultation with one of our expert endocrinologists today. 

• Hyperparathyroidism – This condition is when one or more of your parathyroid glands produces too much parathyroid hormone. 
• Hypercalcemia – One of the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia is the presence of abnormally high calcium in the blood. 
• Hypoparathyroidism – Also called hypopara, this rare condition is when your parathyroid glands do not produce enough parathyroid hormone. 
• Parathyroid adenoma – This is a small, benign tumour on the parathyroid gland that causes an overproduction of parathyroid hormone. It is easily removed by a specialist endocrine surgeon.
• Osteoporosis – This disease is characterised by decreased bone mass, making your bones more susceptible to fractures. If you have hyperparathyroidism, you are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.