Parathyroids are glands located behind the thyroid in the neck. Their role is to regulate the level of calcium in the blood and in the bones, with the help of a hormone, the parathyroid hormone PTH.

Where are the parathyroids located?

As the name suggests, parathyroids are found “next to” (para) the thyroid. The thyroid is also a gland, secreting calcitonin, which decreases the level of calcium in the blood.

They are found at the neck, near the “Adam’s apple” in men. The thyroid gland is in the front, the parathyroids attach themselves to it.

Their total number seems to depend on the individuals. The norm is four glands, but there are up to eight, distributed in different places of the body.

What do they look like?

They are small glands of almost round shape, the size of which does not exceed one centimeter and weigh about 160g in total. They have a reddish brown color, with the appearance of brown fat.

They are made up of a tissue, itself a mixture of dark cells and light fat cells.

What is the parathyroid used for?

Secretion of PTH, Parathyroid hormone

Parathyroid hormone, Para-thyroid hormone (abbreviated as PTH), is secreted following a drop in calcium or magnesium in the blood. This hormone goes increase the level of calcium in the blood (calcemia, Ca2 + ions). The higher the calcium level, the less PTH will be produced by the para thyroid glands.

The increase in the level of calcium in the blood serves above all to make it less acidic (thanks to the more basic calcium ions).

Transfer calcium from bones to the blood

The hormone secreted by the parathyroids, PTH, will act on the bones, by exerting a stimulation on the osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are cells of the bone, whose role is to “deconstruct” it, to transfer the calcium that composes it directly into the blood.

Motivate the absorption of calcium by the kidneys and intestines.

The parathyroid glands also stimulate the absorption of calcium (and magnesium) by the kidneys and intestines, especially through vitamin D. This therefore increases the body’s calcium level.

Hyperparathyroïdie

Hyper: Excessive parathyroid activity

When a tumor grows on the para-thyroid glands, hyperparthyroidism sets in. The parathyroid glands will therefore secrete far too much PTH hormones, which in turn will eat away at the bones, through strongly stimulated osteoclasts, and by excessive absorption of calcium by the kidneys and intestines.

This drastic drop in calcium in the bones leads to an increased risk of fractures, pain, and overall physical fragility.

In addition, too much calcium in the blood increases blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart attacks or strokes (Cardiovascular Accidents). The excess in the kidneys can also be a problem, because of the kidney stones it causes. The brain is not to be outdone, the rise in calcium tires patients, leads to memory loss and an overall slowing down. Finally, the digestive system does not like having its calcium level too high, the consequences range from simple digestive disorders to the appearance of cancer. We can sum it up in one slow destruction of the body. We must therefore treat the cause as soon as possible.

Hyperparathyroidism affects one in 100 people, especially women over 50.

Hypoparathyroïdies

Hypo: Reduced activity (of the parathyroid glands)

A weak activity of the parathyroid glands leads to a decrease in the activity of the parathyroid hormone PTH, and therefore to hypocalcemia: calcium remains low in the blood, high in the bones. It often occurs after parathyroid removal, but goes away after a few weeks. Otherwise, its processing is urgent, because the consequences on the body can be dramatic (attacks of tetany, cataracts, contraction of the muscles of the body).

Exposition Radioactive intense

It is a known case, following strong exposure to radioactivity (near Chernobyl, Fukushima plant, nuclear workers), the glands are the first to be affected. Radioactive particles can develop cancers and tumors in the glands, including the parathyroid and thyroid, which are very exposed (the neck is only protected by a thin layer of skin).

Parathyroid gland disorders are very difficult to manage, like anything related to hormonal regulation of the body.

In particular, if damage is done to the bones, then there is no effective alternative drug to regenerate them. It is up to the body to recover naturally.

Tumor removal, in case of hyperparathyroidism

In the case of tumors, it is necessary to remove the para-thyroid glands which have become parasitic. It is a rapid operation (less than thirty minutes), which requires the removal of the parathyroid tumors. The bones and blood return to their original position after several hours and then several weeks after the tumor is removed.

The diagnosis of the para thyroid glands is established with the help of an ultrasound, which makes it possible to locate the glands, to measure their size and their activity.

Scintigraphy can also be used: it is a radio image of the body established using a “tracer” drug, on which the radio waves are fixed.