What is Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT)?

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a type of hyperparathyroidism. SHPT stems from a disease you have. The disease reduces the calcium in your blood. This makes your parathyroid glands enlarge and overproduce parathyroid hormone (PTH).

What are the symptoms and signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism?

Most of the symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism are due to the cause of the underlying process. Patients who are deficient in vitamin D may have muscular aching and weakness, or bone aching. In severe and prolonged deficiency, they can develop osteomalacia (softening of the bones), that can lead to fractures and bone deformity; in children, this is known as rickets.

What causes secondary hyperparathyroidism?

Numerous etiologies for secondary hyperparathyroidism exist and can occur in any condition that causes low blood calcium levels, or hypocalcaemia. Vitamin D deficiency from lack of sunlight exposure or malabsorption of vitamin D (small bowel disease, pancreatic disease etc.) and chronic kidney disease (secondary to an inability to activate vitamin D in the kidney) is the most common reason for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Vitamin D plays an important role in the ingestion of dietary calcium in the gut. When there is a deficiency of vitamin D, insufficient calcium from food is absorbed into the blood supply of the body through the gut; consequently, the calcium level in blood becomes low. This low calcium level triggers the parathyroid glands to secrete more PTH as a way of restoring calcium levels back to normal.

Several factors contribute to increasing parathyroid hormone production in chronic kidney disease. Firstly, the kidney's capability to appropriately excrete phosphate levels is reduced. Secondly, vitamin D is activated in the kidney, so kidney disease reduces the effectiveness of vitamin D.

How will I know if I have SHPT?

If you have kidney failure or any of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor. He will order the following tests, if he thinks that you might have SHPT:

Blood tests to check on levels of calcium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone to see how well your kidneys work Urine tests to see how much calcium is present in your urine and to see how well your kidneys work.
X-rays to identify kidney stones or broken bones.
Ultrasounds to take pictures of your kidneys or parathyroid glands, for example to see if your parathyroid glands have enlarged.
Bone density scan to see how strong your bones are.

How is SHPT treated?

The key treatments for managing SHPT are to:

Treat the underlying other disease that has brought about the condition-for example, if SHPT is caused by failure of the kidneys, then physicians will try to address kidney failure either by putting dialysis or through a kidney transplant.
Drug therapy, such as:
- Vitamin D or calcium supplements to enable your body to absorb calcium
- Calcimimetics that tell your parathyroid glands to secrete lower PTH
Have surgery to remove one or more of your parathyroid glands; however, surgery does not cure the disease that causes SHPT, so there is a high probability that SHPT will recur.

If you have SHPT, talk to your doctor about ways to manage the condition so that you can minimize your risk of developing other serious health conditions. If your doctor instructs you to decrease or increase intake of certain nutrients, a renal dietitian can help you develop an appropriate kidney-friendly meal plan customized for your needs.

What are the long-term effects of secondary hyperparathyroidism?

Untreated secondary hyperparathyroidism also increases the risk for brittle bones or osteoporosis. Renal osteodystrophy is the effect of patients with chronic kidney disease that may cause bone pain, weakness, and fractures due to the failure of the kidneys in maintaining normal levels of phosphate and calcium.

A diet rich in vitamin D and calcium and safe exposure to sunlight as well as regular exercise can also help prevent bone loss.

When to see a doctor?

If you have symptoms or signs of hyperparathyroidism. Many diseases can cause the same symptoms, and some are serious so it is essential to get an early, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Nephrologists with advanced diagnostic equipment care for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Nephrology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing disease and conditions like Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.