Question 1

who gets parathyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

Anybody: There are a few hereditary causes of parathyroid disease which can increase your risk above the general population but generally speaking, parathyroid disease can occur in anyone and at any age, although the average is around 60 years of age.

Question 2

are parathyroid disorders hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Parathyroid disorder can occur in anyone but it could also be hereditary (that is if a family member has hyperparathyrodiism, you are at higher risk of developing the disease).  There is also a condition called men (multiple endocrine neoplasm) that can increase your risk of parathyroid disease if someone in your family has it.

Question 3

how are parathyroid disorders treated?

Accepted Answer

Many: If it's hyperparathyroidism, the best treatment is surgery.  Medications and possibly alcohol injection can be used but these are inferior to surgery and only considered when surgery is refused or contraindicated.  If it's hypoparathyroidism, the treatment is calcium and vitamin d (both inactive and active) replacement.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of parathyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

Many symptoms: Parathyroid hormone is responsible for regulating calcium level in blood.  If high, it will raise calcium level in your blood causing osteoporosis, kidney stones, kidney problems, bone pain, constipation, abdominal pain, psychological problems...If low, it can cause low calcium in the blood resulting in numbness/tingling, muscle cramps, fatigue, irritability, seizures, uncontrolled movements...

Question 5

how common is parathyroid disease in teenagers?

Accepted Answer

Rare: I'm an adult doc but i think it's pretty rare. High calcium is the first finding, but i'd look for other causes.

Question 6

what are potential side effects of parathyroid disorders?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis: If an adenoma on the gland develops (usually only in one of the four), there is excess absorption and mobilization of calcium, which can result in enough loss of bone to risk fragility. If there is inadequate hormone, the opposite happens and low blood calcium can result in muscle contraction issues.

Question 7

how does the sensipar medication work in curing parathyroid disorders?

Accepted Answer

Negative feedback: Sensipar (aka cinacalcet) helps the parathyroid gland respond better to calcium in the blood stream.  The presence of calcium typically slows down the parathyroid gland as the gland wants to increase calcium levels in the blood.  The gland will produce PTH (parathyroid hormone) to help increase calcium levels.  With the drug, the gland isn't as active and PTH levels are lower.

Question 8

is there any connection between diet soft drink and thyroid/parathyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

Possible: I actually did not know about this.  Apparently, the low ph of the diet soda causes an iodine leaching process in the body, which then deprives the thyroid gland of adequate amounts of iodine to synthesize a comparatively adequate amount of thyroid hormone. 

Useful article: http://www.Sciencedirect.Com/science/article/pii/s0140673608610053.

Question 9

can you get plantar fasciitis from parathyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

No: Plantar fascitiis is caused by localized injury and biomechanical issues.

Question 10

my dr. won't check pth because my calcium levels are consistently normal. will calcium always be elevated in parathyroid disorders?

Accepted Answer

See below: Calcium levels may be on the high normal side on some who have hyperactive parathyroid.  Symptoms are broad, from fatigue to bone pains. Can be primary hyperparathyroidism which is directly from the parathyroid as cause like a nodule or secondary like in kidney disease. Hope this helps.

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Doctor answers about:

Parathyroid disorders drugs

A member asked:

Who gets parathyroid disease?

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Are parathyroid disorders hereditary?

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How are parathyroid disorders treated?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of parathyroid disease?

A member asked:

How common is parathyroid disease in teenagers?

A member asked:

What are potential side effects of parathyroid disorders?

A member asked:

How does the sensipar medication work in curing parathyroid disorders?

A member asked:

Is there any connection between diet soft drink and thyroid/parathyroid disease?

A member asked:

Can you get plantar fasciitis from parathyroid disease?

A member asked:

My dr. won't check pth because my calcium levels are consistently normal. will calcium always be elevated in parathyroid disorders?

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