UW Health endrocrine surgeons treat hyperparathryroidism.  

 

 

These four pea-sized glands are usually located next to the thyroid gland in the neck (see image at left). Occasionally, a parathyroid gland can be found in other locations in the neck as well as in the upper chest. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which controls the levels of calcium in the body.

 

 

In patients with hyperparathyroidism, one or more parathyroid glands become enlarged and make too much parathyroid hormone. This causes the levels of calcium to rise in the blood.

 

About 100,000 people in the U.S. develop hyperparathyroidism each year. Symptoms due to high calcium can include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, joint pain and constipation. More severe symptoms include stomach ulcers, depression, loss of bone density, bone pain/fractures and kidney stones.

 

The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism is made based on a high blood calcium and a high blood PTH level. A single enlarged parathyroid gland, or a parathyroid adenoma, is the cause of the hyperparathyroidism in the majority (80 percent) of patients (Figure 1). In about five percent of patients, two parathyroid glands are enlarged (abnormal) (Figure 2). In 15 percent of patients, all four glands are enlarged (Figure 3).