Parathyroid Pathology

Question 1

What does the Parathyroid monitor and what does PTH get released in response to?

Answer 1

Serum Calcium Levels

Low serum calcium causes release of PTH (High Serum calcium levels triggers calcitonin release)

Question 2

What are the 3 actions of parathyroid hormone?

Answer 2

1) Increase bone resorption
2) Increases Vit. D activity causing greater absorption in the GI tract
3) Increased reabsorption of Ca in the kidney

Question 3

What hormone gets released by C cells in the thyroid in response to high calcium levels?

Answer 3

Calcitonin

Question 4

What response does hyperparathyroidism have on calcium levels?

Answer 4

High Levels (Hypercalcaemia)

Question 5

What are the 5 main symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 5

1) Bone pain
2) Renal/biliary stones
3) Polyuria
4) Depression/Anxiety
5) Abdominal pain
(Bones, Stones, Thrones, Moans, Groans)

Question 6

What are 3 causes of Hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 6

1) Primary: parathyroid adenoma - ↑PTH ↑Calcium ↓Phosphate.
2) Secondary: Physiological attempt to correct hypertrophy
3) Prolonged uncorrected/untreated hypertrophy

Question 7

What is the treatment process for Hyperparathyroidism? (4)

Answer 7

1. High fluid intake, low calcium diet.
2. Excision of adenoma.
3. Correct underlying cause.
4. Parathyroidectomy.

Question 8

How does hypoparathyroidism affect serum calcium?

Answer 8

Lowers the levels (Hypocalcaemia)

Question 9

What are 5 symptoms of hypoparathyroidism?

Answer 9

1. Spasm.
2. Paraesthesia around mouth and lips.
3. Anxious/irritable.
4. Seizures.
5. Increased muscle tone.
6. Confusion.
7. Dermatitis.
8. Impetigo herpetiformis.
9. QT prolongation.

Question 10

What is the treatment and the main causes of hypoparathyroidism?

Answer 10

T: Calcium Supplements

1. Dietary insufficiency.
2. Anticonvulsant therapy.
3. CKD.
4. Vitamin D deficiency.
5. Osteomalacia.
6. Hypoparathyroidism.

Question 11

What ECG changes will be seen in Hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 11

1) Shorter QT interval

2) Tall T waves (Hypercalcaemia)

Question 12

What ECG changes will be seen in Hypoparathyroidism?

Answer 12

1) Smaller T waves (Hypocalcaemia)

2) Longer QT interval

Question 13

What are 3 examples of Hypoparathyroidism?

Answer 13

1) Hypocalcaemia: ^ PTH, V Ca, ^ Po43-
2) VD Deficiency: V PTH, V Ca, ^ PO43-
3) Pseudohypo: ^ PTH, V Ca, ^ PO43-

Question 14

What are 2 examples of Hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 14

1) Hypercalcaemia of Malignancy: V PTH, ^ Ca2+

2) Primary Hyperpara: ^ PTH, Ca ^, V Po43-