Though it’s been known for quite some time that hyperparathyroidism affects woman at a 3:1 ratio, new studies suggest that the group at the highest risk of developing the condition is African American woman over the age of 50. In a new study published by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the effects of hyperparathyroidism on different races were analyzed. Director of the CENTER forAdvanced Parathyroid Surgery Babak Larian, MD, FACS, believes the new research is not only helpful, but could also be an important tool in helping to identify the condition early on.
The study examined the number of hyperparathyroidism patients diagnosed per 100,000 people in a given year. Through this, they determined that numbers were the highest among African Americans, with Caucasians in second, Asians in third, and Hispanics in fourth. Before the study ever took place, it was believed that Caucasian women were the most likely to become diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism.
What Is Hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism is a disease in which too much parathyroid hormone is produced by one (or more) of the four parathyroid glands. This can lead to several symptoms, including kidney stones, muscle aches, problems with the nervous system, and poor bone health leading to osteoporosis. The number one cause of hyperparathyroidism is a small, benign tumor located on one of the parathyroid glands. Dr. Larian, along with his team of experts at the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery in Los Angeles, successfully cure the condition by performing a quick, minimally invasive procedure known as mini-parathyroid surgery.
MIP surgery is now the preferred method of treatment for individual’s worldwide who suffer from hyperparathyroidism. During the procedure, Dr. Larian is able to effectively remove the parathyroid tumor and test parathyroid hormone levels in the blood to make sure everything that needed to be removed was removed. The procedure itself is performed extremely quickly, usually taking less than twenty minutes. When Dr. Larian is sure that he’s removed all of the tumor (or tumors), he then closes the small incision in the neck, which results in a virtually invisible scar. Upon coming out of twilight anesthesia, patients are usually sent home in one-two hours to rest and recover in the comfort of their own environment.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Larian Today
Because hyperparathyroidism can cause a plethora of varying symptoms, it’s extremely common for individuals to not know that they may be suffering from the disorder. If you think that you may have an undiagnosed case of hyperparathyroidism as a result of a parathyroid tumor and would like to learn more, we encourage you to contact the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery by calling (310) 461-0300 today. Undergoing a mini-parathyroid surgery is extremely easy and can be performed in a very quick procedure, allowing patients the ability to feel better almost immediately.
