Parathyroid Gland Disorders

The symptoms of parathyroid gland disorders vary depending on whether calcium levels are low or high. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all.

Hyperparathyroidism signs can include:

• muscle weakness

• fatigue

• needing to sleep more

• depression

• aches and pains in the joints and bones

• loss of appetite

• nausea and vomiting

• constipation

• confusion, trouble thinking, and poor memory

• feeling more thirsty and peeing more than usual

Hypoparathyroidism symptoms may include:

• tingling or burning in the fingers, toes, and lips

• muscle aches or cramps in the legs, feet, stomach or face

• twitching or spasms of muscles around the mouth, hands, arms, and throat

• tiredness or weakness

• headaches

• memory loss

Hyperparathyroidism is caused by excess production of PTH. There are 2 types of hyperparathyroidism, which include:

• primary hyperparathyroidism – when one or more of the parathyroid glands become damaged, causing excess PTH. You’re more at risk if you have a noncancerous growth (adenoma), 2 or more parathyroid glands that have become enlarged, or parathyroid cancer

• secondary hyperparathyroidism – when another condition that causes calcium loss forces the parathyroid glands to produce more PTH. You’re more at risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism if you have a severe calcium or vitamin D deficiency or chronic kidney failure

Hypoparathyroidism happens when the parathyroid glands don’t make enough PTH. You may be more likely to develop it if you have:

• had neck surgery – it’s the most common cause of hypoparathyroidism, when the parathyroid glands get damaged by mistake, or are removed, during surgery

• an autoimmune disease – when the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues by mistake. If the parathyroid glands are attacked, they stop making PTH

• hereditary hypoparathyroidism – when the condition runs in families. It can be triggered by being born without parathyroid glands, or when the glands don't work correctly

• low levels of magnesium in the blood – this can affect how well the parathyroid glands work

• had cancer radiation treatment of the head or neck – radiation can destroy the parathyroid glands, such as radiation treatment for thyroid diseases, called radioactive iodine

If you have any symptoms of a parathyroid gland disorder, we recommend making an appointment with one of our consultants in our outpatient Endocrinology centre. 

At a consultation, your specialist will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and run some other tests, such as:

• blood and urine tests – to measure your levels of PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the blood, and calcium and other substances in your urine

• imaging tests – such as a DEXA, CT, or ultrasound scans, or an X-ray. These can help identify which gland or glands are affected, and work out if surgery is needed

It’s not possible to avoid parathyroid gland disorders completely, but managing any underlying conditions, like chronic kidney disease, may help reduce your risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

If you’re due to have thyroid or neck surgery, talk to your surgeon about the risk of damage to your parathyroid glands.

If left untreated, parathyroid gland disorders can lead to serious complications. 

Hyperparathyroidism may cause hypercalcemia, which is when calcium levels in the blood are too high. It may lead to:

• osteoporosis, which can cause fractures

• kidney stones

• high blood pressure – this can increase your chances of developing heart disease and stroke

Untreated hypoparathyroidism may lead to other health problems, such as:

• Addison's disease – when the adrenal glands don't make enough hormones. This risk is associated only with autoimmune-related hypoparathyroidism

• seizures

• kidney failure 

• irregular heart rhythms and fainting

• cataracts

• pernicious anemia – when the body can’t make enough red blood cells because of low vitamin B12 levels

There’s a range of treatments available for parathyroid gland disorders, but the best option for you depends on what’s causing the disorder.

Treatments may include:

• surgery – removing overactive or enlarged parathyroid glands is an effective way of treating primary hyperparathyroidism

• medication – medicines called calcimimetics can decrease the amount of PTH produced by the parathyroid glands, bisphosphonates can help reduce calcium levels in the blood, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be given to women with hyperparathyroidism, who’ve gone through menopause and are showing signs of osteoporosis 

• lifestyle changes – calcium and vitamin D supplements may be recommended. To help bring calcium and phosphorus levels back to a healthy range in hypoparathyroidism, you may also need to follow a diet low in phosphorus and high in calcium, with the support of a dietician

• PTH injections – these may be required if dietary changes haven’t helped

• monitoring – which can include blood tests, physical exams, and bone density measurements. This is often recommended if symptoms are mild, there are no symptoms at all, only slightly elevated blood calcium levels, and normal kidney function and bone density results

At Welbeck, our endocrinologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.