Parathyroid

Calcium, regulated by your parathyroid glands, is vital in maintaining health in your nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. If you have a parathyroid condition, it can lead to issues with calcium levels. Vivek Bansal, MD, and the team at The EnLyv Clinics offer exceptional parathyroid care at their locations in Bridgewater Township, Flemington, and Edison, New Jersey. Treating patients aged 12 and older, the team can identify calcium disorders, consult on cases related to calcium levels in your metabolism, and identify parathyroid adenomas using an ultrasound. To learn more, call the practice today or schedule an appointment online. 

What are parathyroid glands? 

Calcium is the only element in the human body with its own regulatory system — the parathyroid glands. You have two pairs of these small, oval-shaped glands in your neck behind the thyroid. They control the calcium levels in your blood, bones, and body.

Calcium provides electrical energy for your nervous and muscular systems and strengthens your skeletal system. Parathyroid disorders cause abnormal calcium levels in your blood, leading to health concerns like osteoporosis, kidney stones, fatigue, and weakness. 

Vitamin D deficiencies can also lead to calcium disorders, and the team works with you to diagnose the cause of your calcium concerns. 

How do I know if I have calcium or parathyroid issues? 

If your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, you may have hyperparathyroidism. This can lead to problematic, high blood calcium levels — hypercalcemia.

Hyperparathyroidism affects people differently, and symptoms can be mild to severe, including:

• Depression
• Issues concentrating 
• Mild confusion 
• Fatigue or muscle weakness 
• Constant thirst 
• Frequent urination 
• Nausea 
• Loss of appetite 
• Constipation or abdominal pain 

Symptoms of hypercalcemia include: 

• Vomiting or drowsiness
• Dehydration
• Irregular heartbeat 
• Confusion
• Muscle spasms
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Joint pain

Hypercalcemia can lead to complications, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, kidney stones, stomach ulcers, and pancreatitis. 

What are my treatment options for calcium or parathyroid issues?

The team first performs a comprehensive medical history and physical exam. A bone density X-ray test or ultrasound can detect bone loss, fractures, bone softening, calcium deposits, kidney stones, or a parathyroid adenoma (a noncancerous tumor). 

Three types of hyperparathyroidism can lead to hypercalcemia. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when there’s a problem within the parathyroid gland, usually a benign (non-cancerous) gland tumor.

Your provider may recommend surgery to remove the parathyroid gland if your condition is severe. If your situation is mild, you can schedule regular checkups and stop taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

With secondary hyperparathyroidism, your glands are healthy, but an outside condition, like kidney failure, lowers calcium levels and causes the body to react by producing extra parathyroid hormone. You can treat this with oral vitamin D (cholecalciferol).

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is when long-standing secondary hyperparathyroidism transforms into primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery is usually the ideal treatment for tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

To learn more about parathyroid issues, call The EnLyv Clinics today or book an appointment online.