Parathyroid gland disorders

The parathyroid glands are four tiny glands in the neck, near the thyroid, that control calcium levels in your blood. They do this by releasing parathyroid hormone (PTH). When PTH is too high or too low, it throws off the balance between calcium going into your bones and calcium being pulled out of them.

The most common problem is hyperparathyroidism, where one or more glands make too much PTH. This pulls calcium out of bone faster than it's replaced, which over time can lower bone density and raise fracture risk. Less often, glands make too little PTH (hypoparathyroidism), which drops blood calcium and can cause its own symptoms. Secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism usually happen because of another condition, like low vitamin D or kidney disease, that forces the glands to overwork.

Doctors diagnose these disorders with blood tests for calcium and PTH, and sometimes a DEXA scan to see how bones have been affected. Treatment depends on the cause and severity, and can range from monitoring to surgery or medication. Any decisions about testing or treatment belong to your doctor, who can look at your full health picture.