Hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive. You have four of these tiny glands. Each one is about the size of a pea. They are found in your neck, behind your thyroid gland. These glands make parathyroid hormone. It regulates calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in your blood. Magnesium levels are important for correct functioning of the parathyroid glands. If these glands are overactive, they make too much parathyroid hormone. That raises the level of calcium in your blood.

Parathyroid hormone causes calcium to be released from your bones. This loss of calcium from the bones can lead to weak, brittle bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis) and bone fractures. When blood that is high in calcium goes through the kidneys, the calcium may be filtered into the urine. That can lead to kidney stones.

Hyperparathyroidism most often happens when one of your parathyroid glands gets larger or has a tumor on it. The gland then makes too much parathyroid hormone. Most people with this problem have one abnormal gland. Some people may have two abnormal glands. A small number of people have four abnormal glands, but this is rare. It is often a genetic problem. In most cases, if a tumor is causing the gland to be overactive, the tumor is not cancer (benign). In rare cases, the tumor may be cancer.

You may be more likely to have hyperparathyroidism if:

• You have already gone through menopause.
• You have a family history of related conditions.
• You have had radiation therapy on your head and neck.
• You have taken medicines, such as lithium, a medicine used to treat bipolar disorder, or certain diuretics (water pills).
• You have a decreased level of vitamin D or decreased kidney function.
• You have malabsorption problems.

Each person may have different symptoms. But these are the most common symptoms (due to hypercalcemia):

• Joint aches and pains
• Muscle weakness
• Depression
• Belly (abdominal) pain
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Pancreatitis
• Severe tiredness (fatigue)
• Memory impairment
• Urinating more than normal
• Increased thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Osteoporosis
• Kidney stones

These symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your doctor for a diagnosis.

A blood test can often find hyperparathyroidism. It can spot high levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone. Genetic testing may be suggested if hyperparathyroidism runs in your family. You may also need a urine test. This can measure the calcium in your urine over 24 hours.

Treatment will depend on the cause, your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

• Surgery. If your case is more severe, your parathyroid gland may need to be removed. Before surgery, you may have an imaging test to find out which gland is abnormal. You may also have an ultrasound of the neck. Knowing which gland is abnormal will shorten the surgery. It will also allow the surgeon to make a smaller cut (incision) right over the abnormal gland.
• Monitoring. If your condition is mild, your doctor may closely keep track of your condition to make sure it doesn't get worse.
• Medicines. Your doctor may prescribe medicines, such as cinacalcet, in specific cases.

You will likely need to have your calcium and vitamin D levels and bone density checked from time to time. Your doctor will then be able to make sure your condition is under control.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.

• Hyperparathyroidism happens when one or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive. The glands make too much parathyroid hormone. That raises the level of calcium in your blood. It then lowers the calcium in your bones.
• It most often happens when a parathyroid gland gets larger or has a tumor on it. It may also be due to a genetic problem.
• The loss of calcium from the bones can lead to weak, brittle bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis) and bone fractures.
• A routine blood test can spot high levels of calcium.
• The treatment will depend on the cause and symptoms. Treatment options are keeping track of the condition, taking medicines, or having surgery to remove the abnormal gland.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions.