Treatment for Parathyroid Conditions

That’s an easy question. First of all removal of any abnormal parathyroid glands should only be done by an experienced parathyroid surgeon – most large cities have one or more such talented surgeons and most of these doctors belong to the Endocrine Surgeons’ Association – a group that you can only join if you are indeed an experienced endocrine surgeon. Sometime before the surgery is scheduled you would have a test called a Sestamibi scan or a different test called an ultrasound. For the scan you would be injected with a minute amount of radio-active material that goes directly to the abnormal parathyroid tissue and an image can be taken to guide the surgeon where to look. Like any test, this is not 100% perfect but it is pretty good, particularly if the person doing the scan has had lot of experience. The ultrasound test does not involve any radioactivity but is simply what it says – an ultrasound probe is passed over your neck looking for one or more parathyroids that appear to be larger than normal. Different surgeons favor one of these tests over the other, depending on their experience. Sometimes if one of the tests doesn’t give a clear cut answer you will also have the other test done to help the surgeon decide what to look for during the operation. The surgery itself is very straightforward when done by someone who knows what he or she is doing. Many centers are now doing this surgery without the patient needing to be admitted to the hospital. hide

For less than a day you will feel the effects of the anesthetic and having a breathing tube placed down your throat. You will also have some pain from the surgery itself and this can last up to a week but it is usually mild and tolerable for most patients. hide

The parathyroid glands are part of the body’s Endocrine System and the most knowledgeable doctors in this field are known as Endocrinologists. They are the best doctors to seek advice from if the initial information you get leaves you with some unanswered questions. All endocrinologists who see patients with primary hyperparathyroidism work very closely with their surgical colleagues and together this team can answer most of your questions and concerns. If you have a child with one of the low blood calcium disorders, the person you should consult is a pediatric endocrinologist. If you have low blood calcium after a major operation on your neck, you should also follow-up with an endocrinologist. hide