Your bones depend on a delicate balance of calcium to stay strong. That balance is regulated in part by four small glands in your neck called the parathyroid glands. When one or more of these glands produces too much parathyroid hormone — a condition known as hyperparathyroidism — it can quietly weaken your bones over time.
Parathyroid hormone tells your bones to release calcium into your bloodstream. If too much hormone is produced, your bones may release more calcium than they should. As calcium leaves the bones, they become increasingly fragile. This gradual loss of bone density can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and more likely to fracture.
The problem doesn’t stop there. High parathyroid hormone levels can also cause your body to lose more calcium through urine. At the same time, the hormone can interfere with how your body uses vitamin D, a key nutrient that helps absorb calcium. Without enough calcium and vitamin D, bones continue to lose strength.
The only way to correct hyperparathyroidism is with surgery. A trained surgeon removes the overactive parathyroid gland, allowing your calcium levels to return to normal and helping protect your bones from further damage.
But this procedure must be done carefully. All four parathyroid glands should be evaluated during surgery. If a second overactive gland is missed, the condition can persist. On the other hand, if too much parathyroid tissue is removed, it can lead to hypoparathyroidism — a rare but difficult condition in which the body no longer produces enough hormone.
That’s why it’s critical to seek care from an experienced surgeon who routinely performs parathyroid operations. With decades of experience, I take care to examine all four glands during every procedure. This thorough approach helps ensure that any overactive tissue is removed while protecting the healthy glands.
My success rate for restoring normal calcium levels after surgery is 98 percent — a number that reflects both surgical experience and attention to detail. For patients, it means a strong chance at long-term relief from the effects of hyperparathyroidism and a better chance at preserving bone health.
If you’ve been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism or are experiencing symptoms like bone pain, fatigue or frequent fractures, talk to your doctor. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment could help protect your bones for years to come.
Learn more about surgical services available at Northside.
