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Parathyroid hyperplasia

Enlarged parathyroid glands; Osteoporosis - parathyroid hyperplasia; Bone thinning - parathyroid hyperplasia; Osteopenia - parathyroid hyperplasia; High calcium level - parathyroid hyperplasia; Chronic kidney disease - parathyroid hyperplasia; Kidney failure - parathyroid hyperplasia; Overactive parathyroid - parathyroid hyperplasia

 

Parathyroid hyperplasia is the enlargement of all 4 parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands are located in the neck, near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland.

Causes

 

The parathyroid glands help control calcium use and removal by the body. They do this by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps control calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and is important for healthy bones.

Parathyroid hyperplasia may occur in people without a family history of the disease, or as part of 3 inherited syndromes:

  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I)
  • MEN IIA
  • Isolated familial hyperparathyroidism

In people with an inherited syndrome, a changed (mutated) gene is passed down through the family. You only need to get the gene from one parent to develop the condition.

  • In MEN I, problems in the parathyroid glands occur, as well as tumors in the pituitary gland and pancreas.
  • In MEN IIA, overactivity of the parathyroid glands occurs, along with tumors in the adrenal or thyroid gland.

Parathyroid hyperplasia that isn't part of an inherited syndrome is much more common. It occurs due to other medical conditions. The most common conditions that can cause parathyroid hyperplasia are chronic kidney disease and chronic vitamin D deficiency. In both cases, the parathyroid glands become enlarged because vitamin D and calcium levels are too low.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms may include:

  • Bone fractures or bone pain
  • Constipation
  • Lack of energy
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea

 

Exams and Tests

 

Blood tests will be done to check levels of:

  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Magnesium
  • PTH
  • Vitamin D

A 24-hour urine test may be done to determine how much calcium is being filtered out of the body into the urine.

Bone x-rays and a bone density test (DXA) can help detect fractures, bone loss, and bone softening. Ultrasound and CT scans may be done to view the parathyroid glands in the neck.

 

Treatment

 

Surgery is usually done to treat this condition. Usually 3 1/2 glands are removed. The remaining tissue may be implanted in the forearm. This allows easy access if symptoms come back. This tissue will also help the body control calcium levels.

If parathyroid hyperplasia is due to kidney disease or low vitamin D level and it is found early, your provider may recommend that you take vitamin D, vitamin D-like drugs, and other medicines.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

After surgery, high calcium level may persist or return. Surgery can sometimes cause hypoparathyroidism, which makes blood calcium level too low.

 

Possible Complications

 

Parathyroid hyperplasia can cause hyperparathyroidism, which leads to an increase in blood calcium level.

Complications include increased calcium in the kidneys , which can cause kidney stones, and osteitis fibrosa cystica (a softened, weak area in the bones).

Surgery can sometimes damage the nerves that control the vocal cords. This can affect the strength of your voice.

Complications may result from the other tumors that are part of the MEN syndromes.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if:

  • You have any symptoms of hypercalcemia
  • You have a family history of a MEN syndrome

 

Prevention

 

If you have a family history of the MEN syndromes, you may want to have genetic screening to check for the defective gene. Those who have the defective gene may have routine screening tests to detect any early symptoms.

 

 

Open References

References

Silverberg SJ, Bilezikian JP. Primary hyperparathyroidism. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 63.

Thakker R. The parathyroid glands, hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 245.

 
  • Endocrine glands

    Endocrine glands - illustration

    Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

    Endocrine glands

    illustration

  • Parathyroid glands

    Parathyroid glands - illustration

    The 4 parathyroid glands are located near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland and produce pararthyroid hormone (PTH). Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium balance within the blood and bone by maintaining a balance between the mineral levels in the blood and the bone.

    Parathyroid glands

    illustration

    • Endocrine glands

      Endocrine glands - illustration

      Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

      Endocrine glands

      illustration

    • Parathyroid glands

      Parathyroid glands - illustration

      The 4 parathyroid glands are located near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland and produce pararthyroid hormone (PTH). Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium balance within the blood and bone by maintaining a balance between the mineral levels in the blood and the bone.

      Parathyroid glands

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Parathyroid hyperplasia

           
           

          Review Date: 5/2/2016

          Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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