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Parathyroid

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The parathyroid glands are four small glands, each about the size of a grain of rice, located behind the thyroid gland. Their function is to regulate calcium metabolism in the body. Primary hyperparathyroidism is the disease process in which one or more of these glands overproduces PTH (parathyroid hormone). When this occurs, the calcium level in the body becomes too high. Left untreated, this disease can lead to osteoporosis, kidney disease, heart problems, depression, and fatigue.

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Parathyroid glands monitor our calcium levels in the blood and bones. Sometimes one of the parathyroid glands will develop into a tumor which is known as hyperparathyroidism.  “Hyper” means abnormally increased or excessive. It happens in almost 1 out of 100 people, most commonly in women over the age of 50. These parathyroid tumors will pull calcium out of the bones and raise the blood level of calcium. They do this by breaking down the bones which can lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis. High levels of calcium in the blood then can lead to fatigue, problems concentrating, high blood pressure, reflux, kidney stones, depression or even stroke. If your doctor ordered a blood calcium level and told you it was high, you have parathyroid disease until proven otherwise. After you have been told that your calcium is high, please make an appointment with Dr. Brady.

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Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused usually by one gland that turns into a tumor or adenoma. It can happen in more than one of the parathyroid glands (15% of the time), this is why Dr. Brady ALWAYS examine ALL four of your parathyroid glands in the operation. These tumors of the parathyroid are almost always BENIGN or not cancerous, but they can make patients feel awful.

 

This is a list of common symptoms patients visiting ModThyroid complain of:

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• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Problems with memory or concentration

• Weakness and generalized lack of energy

• Dizziness

• Joint pain or muscle aches

• Kidney Stones

• Bone disease, osteoporosis or fractures

• High blood pressure

• Reflux or indigestion

• Depression, irritability or mood swings

• Problems sleeping

• Hair loss

• Irregular heart beat or arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation

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PTH or parathyroid hormone is what the parathyroid glands secrete into the body which makes the bones leak calcium and increase the blood levels of calcium. If someone’s blood calcium is  HIGH, their PTH level should be LOW.  When both the calcium and PTH are high or elevated, then that patient has hyperparathyroidism and is a candidate for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy or MIP.

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Minimally invasive parathyroid (MIP) surgery takes only about 15-20 minutes for Dr. Brady to perform. All of our patients go home the SAME day with a small band-aid and a tiny incision (2cm or less than 1 inch) hidden in a natural skin crease on the neck. Nearly all of our patients have told us that they felt better in the recovery room or on the way home from the surgery center.

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The most common cause (85%) of primary hyperparathyroidism is a single benign tumor called an adenoma. Approximately 15% of patients have 2 adenomas and less than 1% of patients have 4 gland hyperplasia (all glands enlarged).

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All patients with this disease undergo “mini parathyroid surgery” which is minimally invasive and takes about 15-20 minutes to perform. Each of our patients get TWO(2) EXPERT parathyroid surgeons doing their operation to ensure the highest success rates. The surgery is safe, relatively painless, leaves a tiny scar, and is typically performed on an outpatient basis (No overnight stay in the hospital is necessary).

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Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism is typically seen in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis. Failing kidneys are unable to convert vitamin D into its active form, which affects calcium levels. This, in turn, stimulates the parathyroid glands to overproduce PTH (parathyroid hormone).

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Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism

Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism is a rare disease that is seen after kidney transplantation. The parathyroid glands continue to overproduce parathyroid hormone and patients sometimes require surgery to remove them.

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