Hyperparathyroidism Flashcards
How many parathyroid glands are there?
4
Where are the parathyroid glands found?
Corners of the thyroid gland
Where is parathyroid hormone produced?
Chief cells in parathyroid glands
How does parathyroid hormone raise blood calcium?
Increase osteoclast activity
Increase calcium absorption from gut
Increase calcium absorption from kidneys
Increase vitamin D activity
Where does vitamin D increase calcium absorption from?
Intestine
How does parathyroid hormone act on vitamin D?
It converts it into its active forms.
Symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
Renal stones
Abdominal groins
Painful bones
Psychiatric moans
What causes primary hyperparathyroidism?
Tumour of the parathyroid glands
What does primary hyperparathyroidism lead to?
Hypercalcaemia
Treatment of hyperparathyroidism?
Surgical removal of adenoma
What is the cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Insufficient vitamin D/ chronic renal failure leading to low calcium absorption from kidneys, intestine and bones
What happens to the parathyroid glands in secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperplasia
What happens to serum calcium in hyperparathyroidism?
Hypocalcaemia
Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Correction of vitamin D deficiency
Renal transplant
What is tertiary hyperparathyroidism?
When secondary hyperparathyroidism continues for a long time and baseline parathyroid hormone increases dramatically.
