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What Factors Affect Parathyroid Hormone Levels?

Amanda Livingstone
Amanda Livingstone

Parathyroid hormone levels are affected by a variety of underlying factors. Health conditions such as damage to the parathyroid, autoimmune disorders and low blood magnesium will most likely cause low parathyroid levels. When elevated or high parathyroid levels are present, vitamin deficiency, enlargement of the parathyroid glands or a tumor may be to blame.

Low parathyroid hormone levels are indicative of a condition called hypoparathyroidism. The condition will eventually lead to hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels. Elevated phosphorus levels, or hyperphosphatemia, is also associated with hypoparathyroidism. Prolonged imbalance of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood can lead to other health problems.

Without skin exposure to sunlight for the production of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels can be affected through vitamin deficiency.
Without skin exposure to sunlight for the production of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels can be affected through vitamin deficiency.

Hypoparathyroidism can be acquired or hereditary. Damage or removal of the parathyroid glands leads to acquired hypoparathyroidism. Usually acquired hypoparathyroidism is the result of surgery for cancer of the thyroid, throat or neck. Radiation therapy from cancer treatments can also damage the parathyroid gland. Hereditary hypoparathyroidism, on the other hand, is a result of malformed or missing parathyroid glands at birth.

Nausea, weakness and vomiting are early signs of hyperparathyroidism.
Nausea, weakness and vomiting are early signs of hyperparathyroidism.

Primary autoimmune hypoparathyroidism and secondary autoimmune disorders such as lupus are other factors in low parathyroid hormone levels. In primary and secondary autoimmune disorders the immune system views the parathyroid tissues as foreign bodies; as a result, the immune system will release antibodies to destroy the parathyroid tissues. Once the damage is done, the glands will cease to produce parathyroid hormone.

Reduced kidney function may cause vitamin D and calcium deficiencies.
Reduced kidney function may cause vitamin D and calcium deficiencies.

Magnesium is an essential element for the proper function of the parathyroid glands. Low levels of magnesium can impair the parathyroid, resulting in hypoparathyroidism. Usually, correcting low magnesium levels will normalize parathyroid hormone levels.

A condition called hyperparathyroidism is characterized by high parathyroid hormone levels. Hyperparathyroidism is classified as either primary or secondary, depending on the cause. Primary hyperparathyroidism can be due to enlargement of two or more parathyroid glands, a benign growth called an adenoma, or a cancerous tumor.

Acquired hypoparathyroidism may occur as the result of surgery for cancer of the thyroid.
Acquired hypoparathyroidism may occur as the result of surgery for cancer of the thyroid.

When another condition lowers calcium levels, secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs. Factors that may cause secondary hyperparathyroidism are severe deficiencies of calcium and vitamin D. Without the appropriate vitamin D levels, calcium may not be absorbed properly, resulting in a calcium deficiency. Not getting enough sunlight or not eating enough vitamin D enriched foods are just two of many factors responsible for a vitamin D deficiency.

Sometimes the cause of low calcium and vitamin D is kidney failure. Kidneys are tasked with converting vitamin D into a form the body can use. Reduced kidney function can cause usable vitamin D and consequently calcium to simultaneously drop.

Discussion Comments

bear78

@ddljohn-- Yes, gastric bypass can be the cause. It's not the direct cause, but the root cause. Gastric bypass surgery can result in malabsorption of vitamins, not just calcium, but also vitamin D, vitamin B12 and others. So, if there is a vitamin deficiency, parathyroid hormone levels can easily be affected. This was one of the first things the article mentioned.

I know about this because my dad had the same problem, but not with calcium, rather vitamin D. And the deficiency did eventually affect his PTH levels.

With proper medication though, it does go back into normal range. You just have to keep your vitamin and parathyroid hormone level range in check.

discographer

@ddljohn-- I believe that's right. When there is more calcium, there will be less parathyroid hormone. When there is less calcium, there will be more parathyroid hormone to produce more calcium. This is how PTH regulates calcium.

If both are high or both are low, it's a sign that there is something else going on.

I'm not hundred percent sure about this. But I think all calcium related disorders and medications which interact with calcium could result in changes in PTH levels too. These two are closely related. It might not always be a cause for concern, only when both are high or low.

ddljohn

So, if there is too much parathyroid hormone in the body, should there be low levels of calcium and vice versa?

I have high parathyroid (hyperparathyroid) as well as high calcium levels. My doctor is pretty baffled with my condition. I've yet to get some more tests so that he can try and figure out what's going on.

Something I am suspecting however, is that I underwent gastric bypass surgery several years ago. I understand how parathyroid related surgeries would affect PTH levels. But can something like gastric bypass affect it too?

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    • Without skin exposure to sunlight for the production of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels can be affected through vitamin deficiency.
      By: yanlev
      Without skin exposure to sunlight for the production of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels can be affected through vitamin deficiency.
    • Nausea, weakness and vomiting are early signs of hyperparathyroidism.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Nausea, weakness and vomiting are early signs of hyperparathyroidism.
    • Reduced kidney function may cause vitamin D and calcium deficiencies.
      By: maya2008
      Reduced kidney function may cause vitamin D and calcium deficiencies.
    • Acquired hypoparathyroidism may occur as the result of surgery for cancer of the thyroid.
      By: Sebastian Kaulitzki
      Acquired hypoparathyroidism may occur as the result of surgery for cancer of the thyroid.
    • Radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment may damage the parathyroid gland.
      By: jovannig
      Radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment may damage the parathyroid gland.
    • An ultrasound may be performed to evaluate the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands.
      By: Dario Lo Presti
      An ultrasound may be performed to evaluate the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands.