Endocrine: Parathyroid

Question 1

What is the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 1

• 80% are due to a solitary adenoma
• 15% hyperplasia
• 4% are due tomultiple adenomas
• 1% are due to carcinomas

Question 2

How does primary hyperparathyroidism present?

Answer 2

Bones, stones, groans - Polydypsia and polyuria
Hypertension
Renal stones

Question 3

What will the blood results show in primary hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 3

Raised calcium and low phosphate PTH may be raised or normal

Question 4

How do you treat hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 4

Total parathyroidectomy
Conservative management may be used if the calcium level isn’t too hight and the patient is over 50 and there is no evidence of end organ damage