Parathyroid in Tarzana

Parathyroid - Marc Cohen M.D, Tarzana Surgeon

Parathyroid

The parathyroid glands refer to four, small pea-sized glands found in your neck, either embedded or near the thyroid gland.

The parathyroid glands secrete PTH (parathyroid hormone), which controls the amount of calcium in the blood by releasing bone calcium, promoting calcium absorption in the intestines, facilitating calcium excretion in urine, or releasing PTH to restore blood calcium level when it drops too low. Generally, the PTH ensures proper balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body by either

Parathyroid Problems

When the PTH malfunctions, it causes an imbalance in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Keep in mind that calcium is important for healthy teeth and bones and proper muscle function and nerve conduction, while phosphorus is a key constituent of every cell with many roles. So parathyroid problems tend to affect the organs involved in regulating the quantities - bones, muscles, kidneys, nervous system.

Common parathyroid problems include:

  • Hyperparathyroidism - due to over-secretion of PTH
  • Hypercalcaemia - very high blood calcium levels due to excess PTH release
  • Adenoma - a benign tumor that develops in one of the parathyroid glands, and the primary cause of hyperparathyroidism
  • Hyperplasia - a case of two or more enlarged parathyroid glands, resulting in excess hormone production
  • Parathyroid cancer - very rare

Surgical treatment for hyperparathyroidism

Depending on your specific case and the cause of excess PTH secretion, Dr. Cohen may recommend parathyroidectomy, or the surgical removal of the enlarged parathyroid gland via a small incision in the neck. If more than one of the glands is affected, 3 to 3.5 may be removed, leaving a tiny remnant of the parathyroid tissue.

Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cohen for proper diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.