The parathyroid glands are four of the lesser-known glands in the human body. With symptoms of parathyroid problems often being misdiagnosed, many people living with a parathyroid problem may not even know it! Babak Larian, MD, FACS, Director of the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery, is here to help you understand the parathyroid glands and the warning signs of a problem.
Symptoms of a Parathyroid Problem
The parathyroid glands control your body’s calcium level, and while the symptoms of a problem can vary greatly from patient to patient, there is a commonly used phrase to help us notice the warning signs. It said that you may have a parathyroid problem if you suffer from “stones, bones, groans, moans.”
When a person has hyperparathyroidism, or an over productive parathyroid gland, the parathyroid produces too much parathyroid hormone and its calcium sensor essentially stops functioning properly. This leads to abnormal blood calcium levels and often symptoms that may include some or all of the following:
- Kidney stones
- Bone pain
- Abdominal pain from upset stomach (abdominal groans)
- Depression (psychiatric moans)
- Other symptoms include
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Poor sleep
- Poor concentration
- Irritability
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Anorexia
- Muscle weakness
After looking at the list of common symptoms, it’s easy to see where the phrase “stones, bones, groans, moans” comes from, but it’s also easy to see how the disease can be misdiagnosed. If you think you may have hyperparathyroidism, contact your doctor for simple blood test. It is better to be safe than sorry, as untreated hyperparathyroidism will always lead to osteoporosis.
Parathyroid Disease Treatment
Surgery is the only treatment for a parathyroid problem. The good news, though, is that most patients state they feel significantly better immediately following the surgery. Babak Larian, MD, FACS is an expert in the field of minimally invasive parathyroid removal. Whether it’s the removal of a tumor on the parathyroid gland, or the removal of the entire dysfunctional gland, the procedure is typically an outpatient one with a high success rate and minimal scarring. Through a very small incision, Dr. Larian can remove the problematic parathyroid gland and get you back to your old self in no time.
Contact the CENTER For Advanced Parathyroid Surgery Today
If you have any questions about hyperparathyroidism or think you or someone you love may be living with the condition, call the Beverly Hills Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery today at 310.461.0300. It is important to receive proper treatment for a parathyroid condition to prevent the possible damaging effects of elevated blood calcium and the inevitable osteoporosis that accompanies the disease. Dr. Larian is here to help you find the right treatment and to get you feeling 100% again.
