Secondary hyperparathyroidism (patient information)

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 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.Dd

Overview
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder that the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). The most important cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism is chronic renal failure. Other causes include rickets, malnutrition or malabsorption, and certain types of cancer. Signs and symptoms include symptoms of diseases above, such as weakness, poor growth, bwed limbs and sollen joints in children, bone pain, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, fractures, even symptoms of certain cancer. Blood tests of parathyroid hormone and biochemistry, and imaging tests may help the diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Treatments and prognosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism depend on the underlying cause.

How do I know if I have secondary hyperparathyroidism and what are the symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism include symptoms of chronic renal failure, malabsorption, rickets and underlying cancer. General symptoms are the following:


 * Weakness
 * Poor growth, bwed limbs and sollen joints in children
 * Bone pain
 * Osteomalacia, osteoporosis
 * Fractures

Who is at risk for secondary hyperparathyroidism?

 * Kidney disease, chronic renal failure
 * Rickets
 * Malnutrition, malabsorption, vitamin D deficiency
 * Certain types of cancer

How to know you have secondary hyperparathyroidism?

 * Blood tests: Patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism may indicate signs, such as elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a low serum calcium, and an abnormal serum phosphorus. Blood tests can also check renal functions of the patients.
 * Bone densitometry: The doctor may arrange a dual x-ray absorptiometry to determine bone density and to reveal bone loss, fractures, or bone softening.
 * Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans of the kidneys and nuclear imaging may show signs of calcium deposits or a blockage, certain type of cancer.

When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism, particularly if you are being treated for kidney disease. If you suffer either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
 * Bone pain
 * Fractures

Treatment options
Treatments of secondary hyperparathyroidism depend on the underlying cause of the disease. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities.
 * Patients with chronic kidney failure are usually treated with diet restriction, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, dialysis, even kidney transplantation.
 * Patients with vitamin D deficiency need to be treated with vitamin D, or with other measures to correct malabsorption.
 * Patients with cancer are usually treated surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Diseases with similar symptoms

 * Rickets
 * Gout
 * Ewing's Sarcoma
 * Chondroblastoma
 * Bone metastases

Where to find medical care for secondary hyperparathyroidism?
Directions to Hospitals Treating secondary hyperparathyroidism

Prevention of secondary hyperparathyroidism
Early diagnosis and treatment of underlying diseases may be helpful for the prevention of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism depends on the underlying cause.

Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000318.htm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/390871-overview

http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/secondary-hyperparathyroidism-dictionary.htm