A 40-year-old member asked:
What would happen if the parathyroid glands were removed?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Frederick Singeranswered
Endocrinology 59 years experience
Low blood calcium: Removal of the parathyroid glands would immediately result in a low blood calcium and ususally tingling, muscle cramps, impaired thinking and occasionally, seizures. It can be treated with a powerful form of vitamin d and calcium.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. John Yimanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
It depends.: Most people have four parathyroids, and even one parathyroid can produce enough parathyroid hormone to keep the calcium level fine. If, however, all the parathyroid glands are removed, then a serious life-threatening low calcium level can occur, causing tetany, similar to the tetanus that tetanus shots are supposed to prevent. This requires large amounts of lifelong calcium pills and vitamin d.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What will happen if all parathyroid glands was removed?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Quang Nguyenanswered
Specializes in Endocrinology
Low calcium: Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium concentration in the blood. When you have no parathyroid hormone, your calcium level will drop and your phosphorus level will rise. The treatment is to give back calcium and if you indeed have no parathyroid left, you will also need vitamin d- calcitriol.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
What are the main complications happen in parathyroid glands?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Banks Hinshawanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 44 years experience
Hormone changes: The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called pth. The production of this hormone is controlled by the serum levels of calcium. If the production become independent of the calcium level due to a benign tumor of the gland, overproduction occurs. If the glands are injured through radiation or surgery of other means, low production may result.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old male asked:
What happens if one of your parathyroid glands is damaged?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Chuanswered
Endocrinology 26 years experience
Three more remaining: There are four parathyroid glands situated in the neck, behind the thyroid gland -- two on left and two on right, usually a few centimeters apart. These glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH) that control calcium and bone metabolism. Usually only 0.5 to 1 parathyroid is sufficient to make enough pth. If 3 to 3.5 glands are damaged or removed, the body can still maintain PTH and calcium control.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 5, 2020
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