Most people have not heard of the parathyroid gland. They are two pairs of pea sized oval shaped glands on the sides of your thyroid.  

What do our parathyroid glands do?

These glands produce a hormone that regulates blood calcium levels.  These levels are important for nerve and muscle  function. 

Here is what the parathyroid hormones help with: 

• Releasing calcium from the bones into the bloodstream
• Absorbing calcium from food we eat into the intestines for processing
• Holding calcium by our kidneys
• Helps cells in the kidneys to translate strong vitamin D forms in order to absorb calcium from the intestines 

What happens if the parathyroid is not working properly?

It can cause hyperparathyroidism.  This is when your glands send too much hormone into your bloodstream.   

There are 2 types of hyperparathyroidism:

1. Primary Hyperparathyroidism:
   This is when one or more of the glands are enlarged leading to too much parathyroid hormone.  This raises calcium levels in the blood.  
2. Secondary Hyperparathyroidism:
   This normally happens when another disease or problem like kidney disease or intestinal problems happen and causes low levels of calcium in the body.  In response, the parathyroid starts sending large amounts of parathyroid hormone to combat low levels.  
   
   

   Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism:

In most cases, it is diagnosed from blood tests showing high levels of calcium in blood tests.  When symptoms start to occur it is normally because of problems with organs or tissues.  

Here are some common symptoms of an over active parathyroid: Sometimes, lung, heart, cognitive function start to be inhibited and people do not correlate it to the parathyroid.  

• Weak bones or easy fractures
• Kidney stones
• Increased urination
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Forgetfulness
• Bone and/or joint pain
• Feeling ill even when ruling out a cold, flu or invader
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Appetite decrease
  
  

  How does the parathyroid become over active?
  
  

The parathyroid turns on and off like a light switch or thermostat control trying to keep levels balanced.  Vitamin D is also part of controlling calcium in your blood.  The problem happens when the gland is confused.  

When calcium levels are low in your blood, the parathyroid automatically turns on and grabs calcium from the bones to put into the blood stream.  Now your small intestine absorbs it. When levels are too high in the blood, the parathyroid produces less of the hormone. 

If there is confusion the parathyroid is going to be working harder to control the balance, inflame and become impacted from the stress of the confused system.  If it keeps grabbing calcium from the bones to balance what is deemed low levels, the bones become weak and organs are strained.  

Reasons for primary hyperparathyroidism: 

1. Benign growth called an adenoma on one or more glands
2. Cancerous tumor (this is very rare)

How does secondary hyperparathyroidism start?

The glands are affected the same way as primary hyperparathyroidism but the cause is a bit different.  

What is secondary hyperparathyroidism?

This is caused by an affect from another condition that strains the parathyroid and causes it to overwork.  

Here are some symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism:

1. High levels of calcium deficiency:
   Levels may increase because the digestive system is unable to absorb calcium from food.  This can happen after surgeries to try and lose weight and other intestinal surgeries.
2. Severe vitamin D decrease:
   Vitamin D works to keep calcium levels stable in the blood and help your intestines absorb it to put back into the blood stream.   
3. Chronic kidney failure:
   Our kidneys convert vitamin D into an easily usable form.  Kidney issues is the most common reason for secondary hyperparathyoidism.  
   
   People with this condition will cause the parathyroid gland to enlarge and may need surgery. 

Risk factors for hyperparathyroidism:

• Females that have gone through menopause
• Prolonged severe calcium or vitamin D deficiency
• Rare, genetic disorders like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
• After neck radiation treatments for cancer
• A result after taking lithium prescribed for bipolar disorder
  
  

  What happens to the body after getting hyperparathyroidism?

• Osteoporosis (bone weakening)
• Kidney stones from too much calcium
• Heart disease
• Neonatal hyperparathyroidism

Resources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194#:~:text=Hyperparathyroidism%20is%20when%20your%20parathyroid,of%20a%20grain%20of%20rice.