Well Women Guide to The Parathyroid Glands

What are the Parathyroid Glands?

We have heard all about the Thyroid gland and the things that can go wrong, but were you aware of the parathyroid glands and the things that can go wrong with them, together with the illnesses that this can cause?

Firstly, these glands are NOT related to the thyroid gland in any way except their location in the neck and the fact that they are both part of the endocrine system. Neither need each other to function, nor secrete hormones of any connection.

I had an e-mail from a very nice couple and the lady had had a serious illness caused by disease to one of the 4 glands. She had been very ill and consequently had the diseased gland removed.

There is so much more information available about diseases to the Thyroid itself, that her husband thought it a good idea to let people know about disease to the parathyroid’s and I totally agree.

So, what are they?

They are located in the neck, just behind the Thyroid gland and are normally only the size of a grain of rice, however, when they are diseased, their size increases. They are not actually part of the thyroid gland itself, and as endocrine glands, they operate independently. There are 4 of them and their role is to control calcium levels in the body.

The parathyroid glands were discovered by Ivar Sandstrom, a Swedish medical student, in 1880. It was the last major organ to be recognized in humans.

Calcium is the only mineral in the body that has a group of glands entirely responsible for controlling it within our blood, and the parathyroid glands do this continuously. When the level goes down, the parathyroid glands immediately makes a hormone called PTH (parathyroid hormone) which it takes from the bones to top up the level in the blood stream. When the level is adequate, it stops making the hormone.

However, when one or more of the glands is diseased (Hyperparathyroidism) it becomes overactive and makes too much PTH causing a very dangerous imbalance of calcium in the bloodstream and bones (hypercalcemia)

There is also a disease called Hypoparathyroidism (underactive) which has the opposite effect of the above and is very rare.

In Hyperparathyroidism, the excess calcium in the bloodstream makes you feel very ill, and unless the gland is removed, osteoporosis is guaranteed and surgery is the only cure.

What Symptoms will there be?

Generally, the symptoms are much the same as Hypothyroidism. For this reason, should you have any of the symptoms below it is essential that you see your doctor and request tests for thyroid disease AND parathyroid disease.

Once again we are seeing that Doctors are treating the symptoms and NOT the illness. Many patients are prescribed anti depressants and of course this does nothing. Only removal of the diseased gland or glands can result in total wellness.

Symptoms

Loss of energy

Feeling generally unwell, but not knowing why

Lack of concentration

Lack of interest in life

Osteoporosis and aching bones (especially arms and legs)

Gastric reflux (heartburn)

Forgetfulness and confusion

Insomnia or sleep disturbances

Constant fatigue and daytime napping

Hair loss or thinning of hair

Reduced sex drive (libido)

High blood pressure

Kidney stones

Recurring headaches

Heart palpitations

Irritability and argumentative

There are also some severe complications of Hyperparathyroidism including

Bone fractures, Pancreatitis, Peptic ulcers and internal bleeding, Kidney failure, Severe osteoporosis, Atrial fibrillation, Severe blood pressure conditions, high possibility of a stroke.

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