Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism means parathyroid hormone (PTH) remains higher than appropriate for the body’s mineral balance. Primary disease often raises blood calcium, while secondary disease is a compensatory response to chronic kidney disease, vitamin D deficiency or poor calcium absorption.
Key takeaways
- Primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism have different calcium patterns, causes and treatment goals.
- Results must be interpreted together with kidney function, phosphate, vitamin D and repeated calcium measurements.
- Surgery is definitive for selected primary disease; vitamin D-related treatment is mainly relevant to specific secondary causes.
A vitamin D medicine listing does not establish the type of hyperparathyroidism; incorrect treatment can raise calcium or phosphate dangerously.
How is the cause identified?
Primary disease commonly produces high calcium from one or more overactive glands. Secondary disease is a response to chronic kidney disease, vitamin D deficiency or poor calcium absorption. Bone density, kidney stones and symptoms help determine urgency.
What treatments are used?
Alfacalcidol may suppress PTH in selected secondary disease but requires calcium and phosphate monitoring. Primary disease may need parathyroid surgery rather than vitamin supplementation. See bone health for related medicine context.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care for new confusion, repeated vomiting, severe dehydration, profound weakness, a seizure or an abnormal heartbeat. These can occur with severe calcium disturbance.