Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the main regulator of how much calcium is absorbed or released from your bones.  Calcium is the main structural component in bones which give them their rigidity. If your cells get too much parathyroid hormone, the bones will release too much calcium into the bloodstream resulting in a condition known as osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a condition wherein bone mass is reduced due to the depletion of calcium and bone protein.   Osteoporosis can leave a person susceptible to bone fractures and postural abnormalities.  Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that worsens with age.  To understand osteoporosis, it is helpful to understand the basics of bone formation.  Bone is living tissue that is constantly being renewed. Old bone is broken down and removed and new bone is built to replace it.  During the first third of our life, more bone is produced than is removed, reaching its maximum mass and strength by the mid-30s. After that, bone is lost at a faster pace than it is formed, so the amount of bone in the skeleton begins to slowly decline.  Most cases of osteoporosis occur as an acceleration of this normal aging process, which is referred to as primary osteoporosis. Other causes of this disease may be brought about by other disease processes or prolonged use of certain medications.  That is called secondary osteoporosis.  Here we are talking about secondary osteoporosis since we are referring to a diseased parathyroid gland.  The sole purpose of the parathyroid glands is to control calcium within the blood. Calcium is essential to life, and is used primarily for three things

1.   To provide the electrical energy for our nervous system. Calcium is what the nervous system of our body uses to conduct      electricity.

2.   To provide the electrical energy for our muscular system.  Our muscles require calcium to contract. When calcium levels are not correct, people can feel weak and have muscle cramps.

3.   To provide strength to our skeletal system. 

The single major disease of parathyroid glands is over-activity of one or more of the parathyroids which make too much parathyroid hormone causing a potentially serious calcium imbalance (too high calcium in the blood). This is called hyperparathyroidism.

Calcium is the only mineral that has its own regulatory system. (the parathyroid glands) It is not a common cause of osteoporosis, but an important one to be aware of when facing symptoms for diagnosis and treatment. 

Symptoms of parathyroid disease are:

Loss of energy                                                Loss of memory

Loss of concentration                                    Heartburn

Depression                                                     Thinning Hair

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia                         Kidney Stones

Bones hurt                                                     High Blood Pressure

Trouble sleeping                                              Recurrent Headaches

Tiredness                                                        Arrhythmia

Irritable                                                            Decrease in sex drive

Most people with hyperparathyroidism will have about 5 of these symptoms. The only treatment available is to have the parathyroid glands removed.  Fortunately, if you choose an experienced parathyroid surgeon, a minimally invasive operation can be performed to remove only the gland that went bad.  If you’re reading this and you’re in the first third of your lifespan, then make sure you build your bone density now while your bones are still growing, by getting enough calcium in your body.  If you’re out of that first third, then continue to get your calcium with foods such as dark green vegetables, nuts, orange fruits, sardines and dairy. As you age, consider a calcium supplement, especially if you are a woman.  Woman are more susceptible to osteoporosis due to their hormonal make up.