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Uncommon Parathyroid Symptoms

There are four little glands – roughly the size of a pea – located in the neck. These are the parathyroid glands. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which these glands – part of the endocrine system – overproduce the its hormone which creates a number of parathyroid symptoms. Together with vitamin D, the parathyroid hormone is the primary regulator of the calcium level within the blood. In addition, it affects bone cell activity, bone growth, and blood phosphorus levels.

About Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism causes the level of calcium in the blood to be abnormally high. The sharp increase is due to the fact that this condition extracts calcium from the bones like a leech. This is bad for the body in two major ways.

First, without the calcium they need, bones become brittle and break easily. Second, calcium is used by every organ and cell in the body to regulate their function. Thus, when the calcium levels are out of control so are the other functions of the body. The flood of calcium in the blood will gradually damage every organ in the body.

The kidneys and skeleton are the areas mainly affected by hyperparathyroidism. However, the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and heart may also be affected.

Common Symptoms

For generations, doctors learned that the symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism follow the saying “bones, stones, and groans.” This represented the most common complaints of weak bones, stones in the kidneys, and abdominal pain.

However, the most commonly found form of this condition is asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms of the elevated calcium levels. This will eventually progress into the classic form of primary hyperparathyroidism. The development of calcium stones inside the kidneys – also known as nephrolithiasis – is the characteristic symptom of classic primary hyperparathyroidism. In addition, many demonstrate neuropsychiatric symptoms such as irritability, depression, problems with concentration, forgetfulness, and “brain fog” – a general lack of mental clarity.

Yet these are not the only symptoms of this dangerous condition. There are other, less common signs that should be considered.

Uncommon Signs & Symptoms

Cardiovascular disease can be caused by primary hyperparathyroidism and thus, is also a symptom of the condition. Generally speaking, this is often a sign of a more severe stage of hyperparathyroidism but there is still much about the relationship between these two conditions that remains to be discovered. Research continues to search for a better understanding of how they influence and interact with one another. Still, a list of cardiovascular symptoms has been compiled that includes:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)

• irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

• enlargement and thickening of the left lower chamber of the heart (ventricular hypertrophy)

• hardening of the valves and blood vessels (calcification)

Another uncommon sign of primary hyperparathyroidism is the bone disease osteitis fibrosa cystica. This condition is only caused by hyperparathyroidism. It is exceedingly rare and occurs in less than two percent of people in the United States. Osteitis fibrosa cystica causes:

• fragility leading to frequent fractures

• skeletal abnormalities

• tenderness and pain in the bones of the affected areas

Finally, Hypercalcemic Crisis is an exceptionally rare indication of primary hyperparathyroidism. This severe form of hypercalcemia can be deadly and includes symptoms such as:

• otherwise unexplainable changes in mental state

• dehydration

• bone disease

• nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain

• kidney stones

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Common Parathyroid Symptoms

The parathyroid glands, which are located behind the thyroid glands can either become overactive or underactive. These conditions are known as hyperparathyroidism and hypo-parathyroidism respectively. Of the two conditions, hyperparathyroidism is the most common and affects about one percent of women above the age of fifty.

In primary hyperparathyroidism, an enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands causes an overproduction of the hormone, which in turn results in high levels of calcium in the blood. Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs as a result of another disease, which initially causes low levels of calcium in the body over a period of time.

Most patients do not show any parathyroid symptoms even at the time of diagnosis. When they do, the symptoms may be mild or non-specific.

Atrial fibrillation

This occurs when the upper heart muscles known as the atria don’t work together with the lower muscles (ventricles). This occurs because the electrical impulses, which control this movement of the atria and ventricles are disrupted. This leads to an irregular heartbeat, which may, in turn cause heart failure.

Osteoporosis

This is a condition, which causes bones to become weak and brittle. It occurs when the creation of new bone material in the body doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone material. It affects both genders in all races but older white and Asian women are at the highest risk. If it is left untreated, it can cause bones to fracture easily under minimal stress such as a minor fall or even coughing.

Low levels of Vitamin D

Hyperparathyroidism is often associated with low levels of vitamin D in the body. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is produced by the body in response to the skin being exposed to sunlight. It is also found in some foods such as fish and in fortified dairy and grain products. It performs various functions in the body such as absorbing calcium from the blood, maintaining strong bones, reduce inflammation and improves the body’s immune system. Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children and an increased chance of contracting cancer.

Kidney stones

Another common presentation for persistently elevated calcium levels due to parathyroid disease is the development of kidney stones. Since the main job of the kidney is to filter and clean blood, they will be constantly exposed to high levels of calcium and uric acid in patients with hyperparathyroidism. The constant filtering of these substances causes their collection within the renal tubes leading to kidney stones. The presence of these stones may cause pain and are usually removed surgically.

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms that can be associated with hyperparathyroidism. Patients often complain about the lack of energy to perform simple daily tasks even after having a good sleep the night before. This has been known to cause depression and inability to function. Even though hyperparathyroidism causes fatigue, patients often have poor sleep quality and pattern because of the discomfort due to pain from the other symptoms. Patients may also suffer from memory loss.

If you have parathyroid symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get the necessary treatment.

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Parathyroid Symptoms: What Are the Risk Factors of Parathyroid Disease?

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when there is an excess of parathyroid hormone in the bloodstream due to overactivity of at least one of the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands are so tiny and are strategically located in the neck region. The glands produce parathyroid hormone whose primary function is to help maintain a healthy balance of calcium levels in your bloodstream.

Hyperparathyroidism is mainly caused by any factor that triggers increased production of the PTH. The parathyroid glands will only secrete the PTH when the levels of calcium in your blood fall too low. The PTH raises the calcium levels in your bloodstream by releasing more calcium from the bones or increasing the amount of calcium that is absorbed by the small intestines. Away from the other causes of this condition, there are also other risk factors that can lead to hyperthyroidism. Here are some of them.

Gender

Typically, women are more prone to hyperthyroidism compared to men. Statistics show that women are twice more likely to develop primary hyperthyroidism compared to men. The risk age is between 45 and 65 years. Research shows that most patients are over 45 years old, but the reasons aren't well understood. Primary hyperparathyroidism is more prevalent in older women than their male counterparts.

Family History

Individuals who come from families with a history of parathyroid tumors are more likely to suffer from hyperparathyroidism. An inherited condition commonly known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) may arise in individuals from such families, which result in parathyroid tumors.

Primary hyperthyroidism is common among individuals with MEN with patients commonly being affected in their early 20s or 30s. Apart from parathyroid symptoms, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia is also associated with pancreas tumors and a wide range of other health complications.

Radiation Therapy to the Neck, Head, or Chest

Any exposure to ionizing radiation as in the case of radiation therapy can be a significant risk factor for both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Typically, the doses that cause hyperparathyroidism are much higher compared to those we encounter in our day-to-day lives or with routine X-rays.

In most cases, individuals who suffer from radiation-induced hyperparathyroidism may have been exposed to radiation to the chest, neck, or head regions for another medical condition such as breast cancer or lymphoma. Others may have been exposed to radioactive materials from nuclear testing or an unintended nuclear disaster. Typically, the radiations emitted by devices such as mobile phones, microwave ovens and x-rays are too low to cause hyperparathyroidism.

Use of Lithium

Lastly, the use of lithium is another significant risk factor for hyperparathyroidism. Lithium is a drug that is often used to treat the bipolar disorder, and if it isn't administered in the right quantities, it might leave the patient with another health complication.

Patients who suffer from bipolar disorder and have been exposed to lithium need to go for regular blood tests to determine whether their parathyroid glands have been affected by the medication. If high levels of calcium are detected in their blood sample, then it means that they might have developed primary hyperparathyroidism.

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Is Weight Gain One of Parathyroid Symptoms?

Most people that suffer from parathyroid disease have a few symptoms. The disease affects blood vessels, the heart, kidneys, and brain. It is, therefore, impossible to miss the symptoms. If left untreated, parathyroid disease may increase the chances of getting certain types of cancer. It may lead to high blood pressure, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and many other serious conditions. Since the symptoms are not specific, it is possible to confuse them for other illnesses. Some people can go for up to eight years with parathyroid disease without experiencing any extreme symptoms. Even though it starts slowly, it may eventually affect the quality of your life. It is, therefore, important to consult your physician as soon as you suspect to be suffering from parathyroid disease. Do not ignore

Signs and Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism

•Chronic fatigue

•Heart palpitations

•Thinning hair (especially for women)

•Kidney stones

•High blood pressure

•Reduced sex drive

•Heartburn

•Insomnia

•Depression

•Loss of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed

Parathyroid Disease and Weight Gain

One of the most noticeable parathyroid symptoms is weight gain. This is because parathyroid disease is a hormone problem. This increases the chances of getting hypertension, cardiovascular mortality, insulin resistance, and more. If the fat cells in your body are exposed to high levels of PTH, they may be unable to break down. It is, therefore, safe to say that high levels of PTH not only cause weight gain but also make it difficult for patients to lose the weight.

One of the symptoms of parathyroid surgery is chronic fatigue and the need to take a nap frequently. This may make it difficult for patients to exercise or go about with their normal activities. This inactivity may be a cause for the unexplained weight gain that most patients experience.

It is common or most patients to lose some weight after they receive treatment. Does Parathyroid Surgery Cause Weight Gain?

It is, however, important to note that contrary to what many people may think, parathyroid surgery does not cause you to gain weight. You may, however, gain weight due to unrelated factors. If, for example, you suffer from type II diabetes or obesity, the surgery may make it easier for you to manage the disease. It, however, does not cure the disease. You may continue to gain weight. Most people with parathyroid disease weigh more than others of the same age. They are, therefore, likely to gain weight for other reasons.

Who Can Get Parathyroid Disease?

Parathyroid disease can affect anyone regardless of their age or gender. It is, however, most common to people over the age of 40. Parathyroid symptoms may vary according to age. Women are three times more likely to get the disease than men. For children and teenagers, the diagnosis may be made before they start to experience any symptoms. It is, therefore, important for parents to be on the lookout for subtle symptoms such as loss of interest in some activities, fatigue, weight gain, frequent headaches, and a decline in grades.

If you are diagnosed with the disease, your physician will perform a minor surgery that takes a few minutes. You may be discharged a few hours later.

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All You Need to Know About Parathyroid Surgery

Parathyroid surgery can be performed in many ways depending on your specific needs and your surgeon. Bilateral neck exploration is one of the earliest methods of surgery. In this procedure, a surgeon would take a close look at the parathyroid glands to determine the ones that may have a problem. They would then focus their treatment on the affected glands. Surgeons have moved from this form of treatment because it may be difficult to identify the diseased gland which makes it difficult to treat it.

 The most common form of parathyroid surgery is parathyroidectomy. A surgeon makes an incision under the Adam’s apple and tries to find the diseased parathyroid gland (s). They can implement certain tests and scanning to locate the glands without much surgical exploration. They then take out the ailing glands. It is, however, important to leave some parathyroid tissue in place. This helps to prevent hypoparathyroidism. This condition occurs when there is insufficient secretion of parathyroid hormone.

Parathyroidectomy

This is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of diseased parathyroid glands. It is used to treat primary hyperparathyroidism. This is a condition where the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormones. It is, however, important to note that primary hyperparathyroidism is not always treated with this surgery. This method of treatment is only suggested when the condition affects your bone health or kidneys.

The surgery is beneficial to people on dialysis. After treatment, the levels of the parathyroid hormone may go back to normal after ten to 15 minutes.

Who Needs Parathyroid Surgery?

If you have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, you may need surgery. The major causes of primary hyperparathyroidism include an enlargement of the glands and a growth of cancerous or non-cancerous tumors on the glands. This causes the overproduction of parathyroid hormone. This condition may also be genetic. It is best to treat it as soon as possible.

It may also be used when treating secondary hyperparathyroidism. This condition is caused by conditions that lower the levels of calcium into the blood and trigger the thyroid glands to produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormones to compensate for it. Such conditions may include severe deficiency of calcium, severe deficiency of vitamin D, and chronic kidney disease.

Benefits of Parathyroid Surgery

After a successful surgery, the levels of calcium and PTH in your blood will be optimal. This will help you to have improved bone density, a reduced chance of getting kidney stones, and a better quality of life. If you experienced any negative symptoms associated with parathyroid disease, they will improve. If you notice that some of the symptoms do not go away, it may be helpful to seek medical help because they may be caused by unrelated conditions.

On the Day of the Surgery

Your surgeon will advise you to stop taking blood thinners before the surgery. Your surgeon may perform your surgery under either local or specialized anesthesia. The length of the surgery varies from one patient to another. It may be anything between 30 minutes to three hours. If all goes well, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day.

Parathyroid surgery has helped plenty of people to deal with parathyroid disease. It may be the right solution for you too.

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Common Parathyroid Symptoms Signaling Possible Infections

The parathyroid glands, which are located behind the thyroid glands can either become overactive or underactive. These conditions are known as hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism respectively. Of the two conditions, hyperparathyroidism is the most common and affects about one percent of women above the age of fifty.

In primary hyperparathyroidism, an enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands causes an overproduction of the hormone which in turn results in high levels of calcium in the blood. Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs as a result of another disease which initially causes low levels of calcium in the body over a period of time.

Most patients do not show any parathyroid symptoms even at the time of diagnosis. When they do, the symptoms may be mild or non-specific.

Atrial     fibrillation

This occurs when the upper heart muscles known as the atria don’t work together with the lower muscles (ventricles). This occurs because the electrical impulses which control this movement of the atria and ventricles are disrupted. This leads to an irregular heartbeat which may, in turn, cause heart failure.

Osteoporosis

This is a condition which causes bones to become weak and brittle. It occurs when the creation of new bone material in the body doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone material. It affects both genders in all races but older white and Asian women are at the highest risk. If it is left untreated, it can cause bones to fracture easily under minimal stress such as a minor fall or even coughing.

Low levels of     Vitamin D.

Hyperparathyroidism is often associated with low levels of vitamin D in the body. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is produced by the body in response to the skin being exposed to sunlight. It is also found in some foods such as fish and in fortified dairy and grain products. It performs various functions in the body such as absorbing calcium from the blood, maintaining strong bones, reduce inflammation and improves the body’s immune system. Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children and an increased chance of contracting cancer.

Kidney stones

Another common presentation for persistently elevated calcium levels due to parathyroid disease is the development of kidney stones. Since the main job of the kidney is to filter and clean blood, they will be constantly exposed to high levels of calcium and uric acid in patients with hyperparathyroidism. The constant filtering of these substances causes their collection within the renal tubes leading to kidney stones. The presence of these stones may cause pain and are usually removed surgically. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms that can be associated with hyperparathyroidism. Patients often complain about the lack of energy to perform simple daily tasks even after having a good sleep the night before. This has been known to cause depression and inability to function. Even though hyperparathyroidism causes fatigue, patients often have poor sleep quality and pattern because of the discomfort due to pain from the other symptoms. Patients may also suffer from memory loss.

If you have parathyroid symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get the necessary treatment.

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Here Is What You Need to Know About Parathyroid Symptoms and Hyperparathyroidism

It is true that our bodies require calcium from head to toe to function properly. Human beings usually have four parathyroid glands that are located on the thyroid gland in your neck. The primary function of these glands is to produce the parathyroid hormone that regulates the balance of calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. The level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the body needs to be kept in check all the time.

Too much PTH in the body can lead to a condition known as hyperparathyroidism, which is commonly referred to as the parathyroid disease. Hyperparathyroidism leads to a situation where the levels of calcium in your tissues and blood are too high, and this is the time when you may start showing parathyroid symptoms. Here is everything that you need to know about hyperthyroidism and the parathyroid disease.

How Does the Condition Occur?

There are two types of hyperthyroidism namely, primary and secondary hyperthyroidism. Primary hyperthyroidism occurs when your parathyroid gland continuously secretes an excessive amount of the parathyroid hormone which causes the calcium levels in your blood to rise.

Although the cause of over-secretion isn’t fully understood, when benign forms on any single parathyroid gland, it forces it to become overactive which can lead to this condition. On the other hand, secondary hyperthyroidism occurs as a result of kidney failure when your calcium level drops too low. In an attempt to restore the normal calcium levels, the parathyroid glands will secrete more PTH.

How Common Is It?

Statistics indicate that approximately 10,000 people in the United States develop this condition each year. Older people who are aged between 50 and 60 years are at greater risk compared to the young people. Women are also at higher risk compared to their male counterparts.

What Are Some of the Signs and Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism?

Well, a majority of people who suffer from this condition will rarely show any signs. If a patient displays any symptoms, it will be because of the high calcium levels in their blood. Even if the patient shows some signs, they will not be severe and will include the following:

Fatigue and the     urge to spent a lot of time sleeping

Mild pain in     your bones and joints

Excessive thirst     and urination

Irregular     heartbeats and other heart-related problems

Kidney stones

Weak muscles and     depression

Loss of appetite

Nausea and     vomiting

Abdominal     discomfort

How is Hyperparathyroidism Diagnosed and Treated?

Since most of the signs of this condition are overlooked, your doctor may recommend a sugar blood test to determine whether you are struggling with hyperparathyroidism. When high levels of calcium and PTH are detected in your blood, then you will be among the people who suffer from this condition, and the next thing your doctor will do is to prescribe a treatment plan.

If you are suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism, the physician may recommend supplements of calcium and vitamin D. However, if your condition is primary hyperparathyroidism, you must undergo a hyperparathyroidism surgery to get rid of the overactive parathyroid gland. If you have had a fractured bone or your blood calcium levels are extremely high, your doctor will insist on the operation to manage the condition.