Overview
Parathyroidectomy is recommended when one or more of the parathyroid glands are producing excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This condition is called hyperparathyroidism.
Hyperparathyroidism leads to excess calcium levels in the blood, which may result in symptoms such as muscle spasm or tetany, bone loss (osteoporosis), kidney disease, including kidney stones, psychiatric problems, including depression, irritability, fatigue, and anxiety, as well as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Review Date 9/30/2024
Updated by: Jonas DeMuro, MD, Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery with added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.