Parathyroid gland is located on the back part of the thyroid gland and controls the calcium level in the body. There are 4 of them and they weigh 30 mg. The glands secrete a hormone called parathormone.
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Parathormone provides the calcium necessary for the body by taking it from the bones, increasing absorption from foods, and regulating excretion from the kidneys. Normal parathyroid glands ensure that the blood calcium level is maintained at an ideal level.
When the amount of calcium decreases, it causes the calcium level to increase by secreting parathyroid hormone. If the calcium level is normal or high, they stop secretion. A normal blood calcium level is very important for the heart, nervous system, kidneys, and bones.
What Is the Parathyroid Gland?
What Is the Parathyroid Gland? It has the characteristic of being the last discovered organ in the human body. It provides the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body. In some cases, problems may occur in the glands that secrete this hormone. Parathormone secreted by the parathyroid gland increases the calcium ratio in the blood and decreases the phosphate amount. When the calcium ratio in the body decreases, this gland secretes parathormone and increases blood calcium. Having calcium in sufficient amounts is of great importance for an individual’s general health condition.
It can also be defined as a gland the size of a grain of rice located on both sides of the thyroid gland, and there are four of them. One of its main duties is to produce parathyroid hormone and regulate the carcinogenic ratio in the body. In addition, it also has effects on having sufficient calcium in the kidneys and on intestinal absorption.
Parathyroid Gland Diseases
In the parathyroid glands, as in other endocrine glands, some problems may occur. These diseases are listed as follows:
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism: The parathyroid gland works more than normal and secretes parathormone. In such a case, the amount of calcium in the blood increases. It is generally a condition seen in women. It is a condition that causes constipation, joint pain, weakness, and similar conditions.
- Parathyroid Diseases: It causes calcium imbalance. This condition, which causes many different complaints, has become a situation encountered in many people in recent years.
Parathyroid In order to diagnose diseases, imaging methods such as measuring the calcium ratio in the blood, neck ultrasonography, and parathyroid scintigraphy are used. With imaging methods, the growth rate of the glands and the presence of a tumor can be checked.
What Is Primary Hyperparathyroidism?
What Is Primary Hyperparathyroidism? A high parathormone level causes the calcium level in the blood to rise. The rise in calcium is called hypercalcemia. When the calcium level in the blood increases, a normal parathyroid gland reduces production. However, when it goes out of self-control, it continues production even though the calcium level increases. It is observed that the most common cause of calcium elevation is primary hyperparathyroidism.
It occurs more frequently in women than in men. In addition, the probability of occurrence increases after the age of 50. It is a condition that can cause many negative effects. Bones, heart, vascular system, digestive system, psychology, and excretory system are highly affected by this condition.
Parathyroid Gland Surgery
For parathyroid gland surgery, first the location of the glands must be determined. Because when detection is not performed, the surgical process becomes more difficult. An incision of approximately 3-4 cm is made in the patient’s neck area. In this way, the glands are reached and the adenoma is removed. The surgical process and the postoperative period are quite comfortable. Recovery occurs in a short time.
After surgery, it is quite normal for the patient to have low calcium. At the same time, numbness may occur in the hands, feet, and lips. However, these complaints last only a few days and then disappear on their own.
Determining the exact location of the parathyroid gland before the operation and taking precautions against the risk of infection reduce the risks of the procedure. In this way, a safer and more comfortable procedure can be performed.
