If you have nausea, a loss of appetite, and bone and joint pain that’s recurring, you may have hyperparathyroidism. When left unaddressed, you may develop osteoporosis, or even worse, heart disease. Fortunately, if you seek medical attention, you have treatment options available.
Definition
You have four parathyroid glands at the body of the neck. They’re small, each similar in size to a grain of rice. They produce parathyroid hormone – a chemical in your body that’s responsible for maintaining calcium levels in your blood and certain tissue.
Hyperparathyroidism occurs when your glands produce too much parathyroid hormone.
Primary hyperparathyroidism takes place when one or more of your parathyroids have become enlarged. As a result, they produce too much hormone. This leads to calcium levels raising, and health problems associated with it.
On the other hand, secondary hyperparathyroidism stems from other conditions that cause low calcium levels like a calcium deficiency, kidney failure, and vitamin D deficiency. Since you already have low calcium levels, the parathyroid compensates and produces too much of the hormone.
Symptoms
Kidney stones are possible, and so is frequent urination. Some people have abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, or depression. It can interfere with your memory and may cause bone and joint pain. Nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting could happen as well.
Your Georgetown ENT or a primary care physician may diagnose hyperparathyroidism before you notice any signs of it. However, if you have symptoms, they usually stem from problems taking place in your tissues, bones and organs because of high calcium levels in your urine and blood. You might develop osteoporosis – a condition that occurs when your bones weaken and become vulnerable to damage.
Causes
Your parathyroid produces parathyroid hormone (PTH) when you have very low calcium levels. The hormone causes calcium levels to rise by storing calcium from your bones. It also increases the calcium that your intestines absorb.
Most commonly, primary hyperparathyroidism occurs from a noncancerous growth but may also happen due to glandular enlargement or a cancerous tumor.
Secondary hyperparathyroidism may occur if you have a digestive problem that interferes with your ability to absorb calcium correctly.
You need vitamin D to help regulate your calcium levels as well. Therefore, if you have a vitamin D deficiency, your body can’t regulate calcium properly.
Chronic kidney failure can cause hyperparathyroidism because your kidneys have the job of converting vitamin D into usable substance. When your kidneys don’t do this, you don’t receive vitamin D to regulate calcium. In end-stage kidney disease, your glands might enlarge and release unregulated PTH.
Risk Factors
Your risk for it increases if you’re a post-menopausal woman. Your chances also rise if you have a severe vitamin D or calcium deficiency. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type I or having radiation treatment on your neck can elevate your chance as well. Taking lithium also heightens your chances.
Why See a Georgetown, TX ENT if You Have Signs of Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism can cause complications like osteoporosis and heart disease. Osteoporosis may lead to broken and fractured bones while heart disease can cause a stroke or heart attack.
A Georgetown ENT like Dr Scott Franklin can identify the condition and determine the underlying cause. One of our specialists will discuss your options and help you manage your condition using a conservative approach, such as at-home measures, or seeking help for your underlying condition.
Schedule an appointment with Georgetown ENT, serving Georgetown and the nearby Texas region, today if you have any signs of hyperparathyroidism. Call us at 512-869-0604 or use our online appointment scheduler.
