Parathyroid disease

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Parathyroid glands are four pea-sized glands, called parathyroid glands, on the thyroid gland in the neck.

Parathyroid hormone[edit | edit source]

The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps your body keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorous.

Hyperparathyroidism[edit | edit source]

  • If the parathyroid glands make too much or too little hormone, it disrupts this balance.
  • If they secrete extra PTH, the blood calcium rises.
  • In many cases, a benign tumor on a parathyroid gland makes it overactive.
  • Or, the extra hormones can come from enlarged parathyroid glands.
  • Very rarely, the cause is cancer.

Hypoparathyroidism[edit | edit source]

  • If PTH is low, it is called hypoparathyroidism leading to reduced calcium and too much phosphorous.
  • Causes include injury to the glands, endocrine disorders, or genetic conditions.
  • Treatment is aimed at restoring the balance of calcium and phosphorous.


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD