hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hyperparathyroidism
Introduction
Hyperparathyroidism occurs when overactive parathyroid glands cause levels ofparathyroid hormone(PTH) in the blood to become elevated. An elevated PTH level then leads to a high level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). Symptoms are due to the high level of calcium in the blood and include weakness and fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, memory loss, poor concentration, confusion, and increased urination. Diagnosis is by measuring levels ofparathyroid hormoneand calcium in the blood. Surgery may be done to remove one or more overactive glands. (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood and tissues through its effects on bones, the kidneys, and the intestine. (See also Overview of Parathyroid Function ) Hyperparathyroidism is most commonly caused by a Parathyroid Adenoma (a type of noncancerous tumor). Parathyroid adenomas are usually isolated and solitary. However, parathyroid adenomas may be part of certain hereditary disorders in which people have tumors of several endocrine glands ( Hyperparathyroidism can also be the result ofhyperplasiaof the parathyroid glands. Hyperplasia is when there is an overall increase in size of an organ or tissue. In parathyroid hyperplasia, each parathyroid gland is enlarged. The cells of the gland appear normal when examined under a microscope, so it is not considered a type of cancer, but medical treatment or surgery is needed to reduce the amount of parathyroid tissue and restore the overactive parathyroid to normal. There are three types of hyperparathyroidism: Primary hyperparathyroidism, due to a disorder of one or more parathyroid glands Secondary hyperparathyroidism, due to a disorder elsewhere in the body that decreases the level of calcium in the blood (which makes the parathyroid gland increase PTH secretion in order to raise the calcium level) Tertiary hyperparathyroidism, due to oversecretion of PTH that is not related to the level of calcium in the blood and is not caused by a parathyroid adenoma 