What are the types of hyperparathyroid disease?

Hyperparathyroidism is a disorder that causes the parathyroid glands, neck glands that regulate the calcium levels in the body, to produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to calcium levels in the body that are too high. The disorder often originates from within the parathyroid gland. However, diseases in other areas of the body can cause the parathyroid gland to produce excess parathyroid hormone, leading to too much calcium in the blood.

Primary hyperparathyroidism indicates the problem originates within the parathyroid gland. Normally cells within the parathyroid gland only produce parathyroid hormone when the calcium levels in the body fall below a certain point. They continue to produce parathyroid hormone only until the calcium level in the body returns to the normal range. At this point, the cells are signaled to stop making parathyroid hormone. In people with primary hyperparathyroidism, these cells no longer respond correctly to signals that tell them to stop producing parathyroid hormone. Therefore, the keep making parathyroid hormone nearly all of the time, leading to too much calcium in the blood.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism indicates the problem originates outside of the parathyroid glands. The most common cause is renal (kidney) disease. Kidney disease can cause the body to loose too much calcium in the urine. Calcium levels in the body are low, causing the parathyroid glands to make more parathyroid hormone in attempt to return the calcium to normal levels.

These two disorders are differentiated based on certain tests. In both cases, a parathyroid hormone test will show that the parathyroid hormone level will be high. However, in primary hyperparathyroidism, there will be too much calcium in the blood. In secondary hyperparathyroidism, the calcium level will most likely be low or normal. Therefore, it is important to perform both tests at the same time.

The treatment of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism is also different. Primary hyperparathyroidism requires surgical removal of the abnormal parathyroid glands. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is treated by fixing the underlying problem, such as treating the kidney disease.