Understanding Parathyroid Diseases
If your child has been diagnosed with a parathyroid condition or a doctor has mentioned abnormal calcium levels and you’re not quite sure what that means, it’s completely natural to feel a little overwhelmed.
These are not terms most parents encounter every day. The good news is that these conditions are well understood, and there are effective ways to manage and treat them.
This page is here to walk you through the basics in plain, straightforward language, so you feel informed and prepared as you navigate next steps.
What Are the Parathyroid Glands?
Most people have heard of the thyroid gland, but the parathyroid glands are a little less familiar. Despite the similar name, these are actually four separate, very small glands located in the neck with their own distinct and important job.
Both the thyroid and parathyroid glands are part of the endocrine system, which is the body’s network of hormone-producing glands that help regulate everything from growth and metabolism to calcium levels.
What Is Parathyroid Hormone?
The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is responsible for keeping calcium levels in the bloodstream balanced.
You might think of calcium mainly as something that builds strong bones and teeth, and it does, but calcium also plays a quiet, essential role in many other body functions, including:
- Muscle movement
- Nerve function
- Heart function
- Cell communication throughout the body
To keep calcium levels where they need to be, parathyroid hormone works by:
- Releasing calcium from bones when the body needs more
- Helping the body absorb more calcium from food
- Reducing the amount of calcium lost through urine
When everything is working as it should, this process happens automatically and without any noticeable symptoms. It’s only when the parathyroid glands produce too much or too little hormone that problems can arise.
What Can Go Wrong with the Parathyroid Glands?
Parathyroid conditions are uncommon in children but they do occur, and when they do, they deserve careful attention.
There are two main conditions to be aware of:
- Hypoparathyroidism: when too little hormone is produced, or the hormone doesn’t work as it should
- Hyperparathyroidism: when one or more glands become overactive and produce too much hormone
Both conditions can affect calcium levels and lead to a variety of symptoms.
Understanding Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism means the body isn’t producing enough effective parathyroid hormone, which causes calcium levels in the blood to drop too low.
Because calcium is so important for muscle and nerve function, low levels can cause symptoms such as:
- Muscle cramps
- Painful muscle spasms (sometimes called tetany)
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness
This condition is typically managed by an endocrinologist, a specialist in hormone-related conditions. Unlike many other hormone deficiencies, there is currently no replacement medication for parathyroid hormone itself. Instead, treatment usually involves:
- Calcium supplements to bring levels back up
- Vitamin D supplements to help the body absorb calcium more effectively
Regular monitoring is an important part of keeping your child’s calcium levels stable and keeping them feeling well.
What Is Hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism means one or more of the parathyroid glands has become overactive and is producing too much hormone.
The most common cause is a benign (non-cancerous) growth called a parathyroid adenoma. Less commonly, all four glands may become enlarged, a condition known as hyperplasia. Parathyroid cancer is extremely rare.
When too much parathyroid hormone is present, it pulls calcium from the bones and allows too little to be filtered out by the kidneys, causing calcium levels in the blood to rise.
Symptoms can include:
- Generalized bone aches and pains
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Depression or mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
Because these symptoms can be vague and easy to attribute to other causes, diagnosis usually comes through blood work and additional testing ordered by an endocrinologist.
Why You Should Treat Parathyroid Diseases
It’s understandable to wonder whether treatment is really necessary, especially if symptoms seem mild. But over time, untreated hyperparathyroidism can lead to complications that become increasingly difficult to manage, including:
- Weak or brittle bones
- Increased risk of fractures
- Kidney stones
- Irritation of the stomach lining
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Persistent fatigue and mood changes
The longer the condition goes untreated, the greater the risk of these complications becoming more significant. Getting the right care early on gives your child the best chance of a full and lasting recovery.
How Are Parathyroid Diseases Treated?
Treatment depends on which condition your child has.
Hypoparathyroidism is managed with medications and supplements to keep calcium levels within a healthy range. This is an ongoing process that involves regular check-ins with your child’s care team.
Hyperparathyroidism often requires surgery, because removing the overactive gland is typically curative, meaning that once the problem gland is gone, the condition resolves.
The procedure to remove one or more parathyroid glands is called a parathyroidectomy. Most patients have only one abnormal gland, and removing just that gland is usually all that’s needed to restore normal function.
Occasionally, more than one gland is involved and additional glands may need to be removed.
How Does the Surgeon Know Which Gland to Remove?
Special imaging studies are used before surgery to pinpoint which gland or glands are overactive. These may include:
- Sestamibi scans
- SPECT scans
In some cases, medications are also used during surgery to help identify abnormal glands and make them easier to locate and remove.
For certain patients with a single parathyroid adenoma, a procedure called Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy (MIRP) may be an option. This specialized approach allows the surgeon to precisely locate and remove the abnormal gland through a smaller incision.
Because parathyroid conditions are uncommon in children, every treatment plan is carefully individualized to fit your child’s specific situation and needs.
When Does an ENT Specialist Get Involved?
Since the parathyroid glands sit in the neck, just behind the thyroid, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is typically the surgeon involved when an operation is needed.
Parathyroid surgery in children is relatively uncommon, which is why it’s especially important to work with a specialist who has significant experience in pediatric head and neck conditions.
Expertise matters, and your child deserves care from someone who truly knows this territory.
Contact MPENTA for Help with Parathyroid Diseases
If your child has been diagnosed with abnormal calcium levels or a parathyroid condition, or if they’ve been experiencing symptoms like persistent bone pain, muscle cramps, kidney stones, or unexplained fatigue, the team at Michigan Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat Associates (MPENTA) is ready to support your family.
Our specialists work closely with endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals to provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment recommendations.
Contact MPENTA today to request an appointment and learn more about the diagnosis and treatment options available for parathyroid diseases.
