Why do some people have too much calcium in their blood?
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition where the parathyroid glands secrete too much parathyroid hormone, causing high levels of calcium in the blood. The parathyroid glands are four small glands located behind the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. When these glands produce too much hormone, it can cause problems like osteoporosis and kidney stones. There are three types of hyperparathyroidism: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary is caused by issues with the parathyroid glands themselves; secondary is often due to other conditions like chronic kidney failure; tertiary develops from untreated secondary hyperparathyroidism. Treatments include surgery to remove overactive glands, medications, and regular monitoring. Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively manage symptoms and prevent severe complications.