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