Ency. home > Disease > H > Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Definition:

Excessive production of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands.

Causes and Risks

Hyperparathyroidism can be caused by enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands or in response to abnormally low calcium levels in the blood.

The parathyroid glands are located at the front and base of the neck around the thyroid gland and produce parathyroid hormone. 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. Excessive levels of parathyroid hormone disturbs this balance and results in increasing the blood calcium level by reabsorbing it from the bone and increasing absorption from the kidneys and intestines.

The effects of abnormal calcium levels are seen in several body systems including the skeletal, gastrointestinal, renal, muscular, and central nervous system.

Related topics:

• Parathyroid related hypercalcemia
• Primary hyperparathyroidism
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism
• Tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Ency. home > Disease > H > Hyperparathyroidism

---

[an error occurred while processing this directive]