Parathyroid Q&A is a community of experts and patients dedicated to understanding and treating Parathyroid Disease.

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Questions and Answers

Etiology: the cause of parathyroid disease

Many patients want to know what caused their parathyroid condition. We do not always know, though in some cases we have explanations.

Does parathyroid disease run in families? I just had parathyroid surgery. Do I need to have my kids check their calcium levels?
Most of the time, parathyroid disease is not familial - it doesn't run in families. Most people who get parathyroid disease will be the only one in their family with it. But occassionally we do see parathyroid disease run in families, and multiple family members across multiple generations will need surgery for parathyroid disease. This can occur in some rare genetic syndromes like MEN (multipl...
Genetics Etiology: the cause of parathyroid disease
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Do you know what causes the parathyroid tumours to grow in the first place? What if the tumour grows back? Do you have to keep getting surgery to remove them?
Most cases of primary hyperparathyroidism are due to benign tumors (adenomas) on one or more parathyroid glands. And in most of those cases, we don't have a good explanation for why the tumor grows. We know that the risk for developing a parathyroid tumor is higher in women, and is higher in older people. And we know that there are genetic causes for parathyroid tumors, though most people with ...
Etiology: the cause of parathyroid disease
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Two of my sisters and I all have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. I had parathyroid surgery at age 55 (two parathyroid tumors removed), my younger sister at age 58 (three parathyroids removed) and we are realizing my older sister has had it for years. We are now all mid 60's, early 70's. My younger sister who had 3 removed still has issues with the remaining gland...she doesn't know what to do. I believe we probably do have a genetic link and years ago I was told that my ovarian/uterine very early stage cancer at 43 could also be connected to some kind of genetic link to the parathyroid issue...is this the MEN 1 gene and if so where do you go to get tested for that?
Thanks for writing in! Since you and two sisters have had high calcium levels, it is almost certain that there is a genetic component. There are a few important issues to address in your case before we get to your question. First, were you cured after parathyroid surgery? Have your calcium levels stayed in the normal range (under 10.0 mg/dl) since your parathyroid operation? It sounds like y...
Genetics MEN1 primary hyperparathyroidism Etiology: the cause of parathyroid disease
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