Hyperparathyroidism Flashcards
Where are the parathyroid glands?
4 parathyroid glands are located in the corners of the thyroid gland
What cells in the parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone?
Chief cells
What is parathyroid hormone produced in response to?
Hypocalcaemia
How does parathyroid hormone raise blood calcium levels?
Increasing osteoclast activity
Increasing calcium absorption
Increasing vitamin D activity thus increasing calcium absorption in the intestines
What are the main clinical symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
‘stones, bones, groans and moans’
Kidney stones
Painful bones
Abdominal groans
Psychiatric moans
What is primary hyperparathyroidism caused by?
Uncontrolled parathyroid hormone production by a tumour of the parathyroid glands
What does primary hyperparathyroidism cause clinically?
Hypercalcaemia
How is primary hyperparathyroidism treated?
Surgical removal of the tumour
What is secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Insufficient vitamin D or chronic kidney disease reduces calcium absorption from the intestines, kidneys and bones
What does secondary hyperparathyroidism cause clinically?
Hypocalcaemia
What will the serum calcium level be in secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Low or normal
What will parathyroid hormone levels be in secondary hyperparathyroidism?
High
How should secondary hyperparathyroidism be treated?
Correcting the underlying vitamin D deficiency or chronic kidney disease
When does tertiary hyperparathyroidism occur?
When secondary hyperparathyroidism continues for an extended period of time
What causes tertiary hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands
