Parathyroid

Question 0

What happens if there is too much PTH produced by the parathyroid glands?

Answer 0

The effect of PTH is to raise calcium levels in the blood, it achieves this by mobilising calcium from the skeleton and absorbing it from the diet.

Too much PTH with cause a high blood calcium level which presents as STONES, BONES, ABDO GROANS and PSYCHO MOANS

Question 1

What and where are the parathyroid gland?

Answer 1

4 small glands behind the thyroid gland

They are responsible for regulating calcium levels

Question 2

What are the causes of hypercalcaemia?

Answer 2

Malignant bone disease
Sarcoidosis
Milk or vitamin D toxicity 
Pagets (disruption of the normal bone cycle)
Adrenal insufficiency
Diuretics
Thyrotoxicosis

Question 3

What is the role of calcium in the body? And how can you tell when it has gone wrong?

Answer 3

Calcium is essential for:
Bone density
Conduction along nerve fibers, therefore brain activity
Muscle contraction

Question 4

How would someone present with hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 4

Stones - kidney stones
Bones - painful bones, osteoporosis
Abdo groans
Psychic moans - brain function affected so feel fatigued and depressed
High blood calcium can increase atherosclerosis and affect the electrical activity of the heart so may have hypertension

Generally unwell and affecting quality of life, parathyroid removed surgically can reverse the symptoms