What Conditions Can Affect the Parathyroid Glands?

Your parathyroid glands may be tiny but they play a crucial role in your health. Your Carmel, IN, ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians, Dr. Robert Youkilis, Dr. Jeffrey Beach and Dr. Seth Bruggers of Northside ENT, diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that affect the parathyroid glands.

What do the parathyroid glands do?

Located next to the thyroid glands in your neck, each parathyroid gland is no bigger than a grain of rice. Despite the glands' small size, they're essential for your good health.
The parathyroid glands are responsible for:

  • Controlling Calcium Levels: The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, a natural chemical that keeps your calcium levels balanced. The hormones help your intestines absorb calcium from food and prompt your bones to release more calcium into your bloodstream. Calcium is essential for bone and muscle health and also regulates your nerves and the rhythm of your heart. In addition, calcium helps blood travel throughout your body and is essential for hormone production.
  • Improving Vitamin D Levels: The parathyroid hormone helps the kidneys turn weakened vitamin D into a stronger form that helps the intestines absorb calcium.

Conditions that affect the parathyroid include:

  • Hyperparathyroidism: This condition occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands produce too much hormone.  If you have hyperparathyroidism, your blood calcium levels will become too high while the bone calcium might become too low.  Symptoms might include bone and joint pain, fractures, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, depression, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thirst, excessive urination, and kidney stones.
  • Hypoparathyroidism: This condition is when there is not enough parathyroid hormone in the body.  It is very rare and usually only occurs if parathyroid glands have been removed surgically or damaged by other surgery in the neck.  Symptoms include muscle cramps and pain, dry skin, mood changes, twitching facial muscles, fatigue, and muscle cramps in the legs, face, stomach, or feet. You may also notice tingling or burning in your fingertips, toes, or lips.

During your visit to Northside ENT in Carmel, IN, your doctor will recommend treatments to identify and cure the problem with your parathyroid glands.

Are you worried that you may have a problem with your parathyroid? Schedule an appointment with your ENTS in Carmel, IN, Dr. Youkilis, Dr. Beach, and Dr. Bruggers of Northside ENT, by calling (317) 844-5656.

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