What Is Parathyroid Surgery?
The parathyroid glands are four small glands located in the throat that are responsible for producing parathyroid hormone (PTH) to help your body maintain proper calcium levels in the blood. Hyperparathyroidism develops when one or more of these glands produce too much PTH, causing calcium levels to rise to potentially harmful levels. While secondary hyperparathyroidism can be treated by managing underlying health problems (like nutrient imbalances or kidney disease), primary hyperparathyroidism often requires surgery to correct the problem at its source. Our physicians at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat specialize in parathyroid surgery for Neptune, Holmdel, and Manahawkin, NJ patients experiencing a variety of hyperparathyroid symptoms, including bone loss, kidney stones, chronic fatigue, and more. If you've been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism or have an abnormally high amount of calcium in your blood, schedule a consultation with our head and neck specialists to learn whether parathyroid surgery is an appropriate treatment option.
How Is Parathyroid Surgery Performed?
Before scheduling your parathyroid surgery, we'll use blood tests to measure calcium and PTH levels in your body. We may also recommend ultrasound or other imaging procedures to identify any overactive glands and plan your procedure. Once we have the information we need, we'll review the results with you and discuss whether parathyroid surgery makes sense for your case.
Parathyroid surgery is performed using general anesthesia through a small incision low on the front of the neck. After gaining access to the parathyroid glands, your surgeon will carefully remove any abnormal or overactive glands while taking care to preserve the healthy ones. After your surgery, we'll continue to monitor your calcium and PTH levels to evaluate your body's response and recommend whether any further treatments might be needed.
What Are the Benefits of Parathyroid Surgery?
The parathyroid glands are only about the size of a pea, but they can have a dramatic effect on your health. Many people don't even realize the symptoms they're experiencing are caused by hyperparathyroidism until it's discovered during a routine health evaluation. For patients living with primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery can be an effective solution, offering benefits such as:
- Protecting your bones and organs from calcium loss or hypercalcemia
- Reducing the risk of major bone fractures
- Lowering your risk of recurring kidney stones
- Improving fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms related to hyperparathyroidism
- Relieving body aches caused by elevated hormone levels
- Stabilizing blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health
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Frequently Asked Questions about Parathyroid Surgery
What causes hyperparathyroidism?
The most common cause of hyperparathyroidism is a noncancerous growth called an adenoma that makes one parathyroid gland overactive. Sometimes, several glands become enlarged and produce too much hormone. Hyperparathyroidism can also develop because of another health problem, particularly kidney disease or a Vitamin D disorder. At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat, we provide comprehensive testing to determine which type of hyperparathyroidism you have and whether surgery is appropriate.
What are the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
Some people with hyperparathyroidism have no noticeable symptoms and discover the condition through routine bloodwork. Others may feel unusually tired or weak, have trouble concentrating, feel thirstier than usual, experience digestive problems, or develop kidney stones or bone loss. Many of these concerns can have other causes, which is why blood testing plays an important role in diagnosing hyperparathyroidism.
How long does parathyroid surgery take?
Many parathyroid procedures take about 1 – 2 hours, although the time depends on how many glands need to be examined or removed and what is found during surgery. Your surgeon can give you a more specific idea of what to expect based on your testing and planned procedure.
How will parathyroid surgery affect my voice?
Temporary hoarseness is common after parathyroid surgery, but it typically improves as you recover. The nerves responsible for vocal cord movement run close to the parathyroid glands, so protecting them is an important part of the procedure. If your voice does change afterward, our team can evaluate it and follow your recovery.
Will I have a scar after parathyroid surgery?
Almost any surgery carries a risk of scarring, but parathyroid surgery is performed through small incisions placed low on the neck, which are typically not as noticeable. We'll show you how to care for the incision after surgery and provide instructions to support healthy recovery.
Bring Your Hormones Into Balance
High calcium levels can affect your health even if the symptoms aren't obvious. Addressing an overactive parathyroid gland can protect your bones, kidneys, and overall health for years to come. Our board-certified head and neck physicians at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat perform parathyroid surgery for patients all over the Greater New Jersey Shore area, including Neptune, Holmdel, and Manahawkin, NJ and beyond. Contact our team to discuss your diagnosis and learn what surgery could mean for your long-term health.