Signs and symptoms

Many patients presenting with hyperparathyroidism will have no signs or symptoms, with diagnosis being made on further investigation after a coincidental finding of hypercalcemia. It is, however, reported that many patients will report that they feel better after treatment for hyperparathyroidism. Of those patient that do present with symptoms, they are commonly associated with the effects of an increased level of calcium.

Since calcium is responsible for the electrical conduction within our nervous system, high blood calcium levels have a direct effect on the nervous system. Thus, most of the symptoms of parathyroid disease are "neurological" in origin. The most common symptom is fatigue and tiredness. Other very common symptoms are lack of energy, memory problems, depression, problems with concentration, and problems sleeping. Other manifestations of hyperparathyroidism usually involve the kidney (stones) and the skeletal system (bone pain due to the development of osteoporosis).

The symptoms of hyperparathyroidism can be classically remembered by the rhyme "moans" (complaints of not feeling well), "groans" (abdominal pain, GERD), "stones" (kidney), "bones" (bone pain), and "psychiatric overtones" (lethargy, fatigue, depression, memory problems).

Almost all patients with hyperparathyroidism will develop osteoporosis. If untreated, this osteoporosis can be extreme. Unfortunately, medicines are usually not useful for treating the osteoporosis associated with hyperparathyroidism until the parathyroid tumor is removed. Osteoporosis associated with hyperparathyroidism is caused by the high parathyroid hormone that is secreted by the overactive parathyroid gland(s). This excess parathyroid hormone (PTH) acts directly on the bones to remove calcium from the bones. Thus, the high calcium in the blood comes from the bones. Removing the offending parathyroid gland will usually cause a significant improvement in the osteoporosis, often reversing this process back to normal bone density over several years.

Other symptoms include: headaches, gastroesophageal reflux, decreased sex drive, thinning hair, hypertension, and heart palpitations which are often due to bouts of atrial fibrillation.

Almost all patients will have symptoms if their calcium is high and the right questions are asked. Removing the parathyroid tumor which is causing the excess parathyroid hormone will eliminate the symptoms in most patients within several days or weeks. Often it is life-changing when the parathyroid tumor is removed.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 810