Can anyone help me - what is hyperparathyroidism please?

I've read it in a consultants letter, but no idea what it is, and it wasn't mentioned when I saw him. It could be nothing, but it's always good to know everything thanks

[jimh111]

This is a good explaination:-

patient.co.uk/health/hyperp...

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are located next to each other, hence the similar names. However, they are quite different in function.

[Hidden in reply to jimh111]

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it was linked, as mentioned by rheumy rather than endo!

[bantam12]

It relates to the parathyroid glands, you have 4 of them and they are located behind the thyroid. Hyperpth is when one or more have gone into overdrive and produce to much parathyroid hormone, this is caused by a benign adenoma.

There are different types of hyperpth, primary, secondary and tertiary.

The parathyroids control calcium levels so you will need that measured.

High calcium + high pth = hyperparathyroidism, treatment is surgery if caused by an adenoma.

You can learn lots more on parathyroid.com although it is American so differences in tests done in the UK.

I have it so if you want to chat more do say.

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

Thank you hypohen, the only thing I've been told is that I'm chronically vit D deficient, 16 mmol/L I think, but I've been prescribed 400 IU daily, which, from reading on here, isn't that high a dose for deficiency. My old rheumy gave me a loading injection of 300,000 units 4 years ago though. I'm guessing there is quite a difference between the 2. Is vit D related to hyperpth? X

[Lucycatnaps in reply to bantam12]

Dear Hypohen, Please excuse me butting in on this post but am trying to find others that have HyperPTH, I don't seem to be able to post on Simon's UK Parathyroid forum. I have had 3 high blood calciums and waiting to see endo in May.

[bantam12]

So you may have secondary hpth and getting your vitd up may solve the problem. Your calcium may be low as well.

My vit d was 12 and I had high calcium and pth, I was put on 800iu but it didn't lower the calcium or pth so showing the vitd deficiency wasn't the cause so I have primary hpth. My vitd is still low but if I take supps then my calcium goes even higher so I'm stuck.

You may need to take at least 800iu a day but always best to start off on a lower dose then raise it if needs be, if you haven't had calcium tested it would be wise to get it done so you know what it's doing.

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

Ok, that makes sense. Thank you. I'll press on with the vit D then talk to my GP about testing levels again in a month along with calcium and pth. I've moved, and my notes haven't moved with me so I'm trying to bring my new docs up to date! X

[bantam12]

Good luck, hope it turns out to be a simple fix.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link and click on hyperparathyrodism.

parathyroid.com/dr.norman.htm