Most people have heard of the thyroid gland, but far fewer are familiar with the parathyroid glands.
Despite their small size, these glands play an important role in regulating calcium levels in the body. When they don’t function properly, a range of symptoms can develop that may affect your bones, kidneys, digestive system and general wellbeing.
Understanding the signs of parathyroid gland disease can help you recognise when specialist assessment may be needed.
What are the parathyroid glands?
The parathyroid glands are four small glands located behind the thyroid gland in the lower part of the neck. Their main role is to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), a hormone that helps control the amount of calcium in your blood.
Calcium is essential for healthy bones, muscle function and nerve signalling. When the parathyroid glands produce too much or too little PTH, calcium levels can become unbalanced, leading to a variety of health problems.
What is parathyroid gland disease?
Parathyroid gland disease refers to conditions that affect the normal function of the parathyroid glands.
The most common condition is primary hyperparathyroidism. This occurs when one or more parathyroid glands become overactive and produce excessive amounts of PTH. As a result, calcium levels in the blood rise above normal.
Less commonly, people can develop hypoparathyroidism, where the glands produce insufficient PTH, causing calcium levels to become too low.
What symptoms can parathyroid gland disease cause?
Parathyroid gland disease symptoms can vary depending on how severely calcium levels are affected. Some people have very few symptoms and are diagnosed following routine blood tests.
Common symptoms of overactive parathyroid glands include:
- Tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Joint aches
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low mood
- Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form within the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they pass through the urinary tract.
If left untreated for a prolonged period, high calcium levels may contribute to thinning of the bones, known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
Symptoms of an underactive parathyroid gland include:
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers, toes or around the mouth
- Muscle cramps and spasms
- Twitching muscles
- Fatigue
- Anxiety or low mood
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Seizure (in severe cases)
These symptoms occur because low levels of PTH cause calcium levels to decrease.
How is parathyroid gland disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually begins with a discussion about your symptoms and medical history, followed by blood tests.
These tests may measure:
- Calcium levels
- PTH levels
- Vitamin D levels
- Kidney function
If blood tests suggest a parathyroid problem, imaging scans may be arranged to help identify which gland is affected and whether a growth (a parathyroid tumour) within the gland may be responsible.
These can include ultrasound scans or a sestamibi scan, a specialised nuclear medicine scan used to locate overactive parathyroid tissue.
What treatment is available?
Treatment depends on the type of parathyroid condition and its severity.
For primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery to remove the abnormal gland is often the most effective treatment. This procedure is known as a parathyroidectomy.
Many patients experience significant improvement in symptoms once calcium levels return to normal following surgery.
In some situations, careful monitoring may be recommended if symptoms are mild and calcium levels remain relatively stable.
For hypoparathyroidism, treatment usually involves calcium supplements and vitamin D medication to help maintain healthy calcium levels.
When should you seek specialist advice?
Persistent tiredness, kidney stones, unexplained bone problems or abnormal calcium levels shouldn’t be ignored. Although these symptoms can have many causes, further assessment may be needed to identify an underlying parathyroid disorder.
Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and ensure appropriate treatment is provided.
Speak to an ENT specialist
If you’ve been diagnosed with abnormal calcium levels, have symptoms that may be linked to a parathyroid gland disorder, or would like a specialist assessment of a neck-related condition, Mr Wale Olarinde can help.
As an experienced ENT and head and neck surgeon, Mr Olarinde provides expert evaluation and personalised treatment plans tailored to your individual needs.
If you’re concerned about symptoms that may be linked to a parathyroid condition, book an appointment for expert evaluation with Mr Olarinde.