The normal functioning of human systems and organs is greatly influenced by hormones. Their role in the body is still not fully understood. Many people hear about the existence of certain hormones for the first time at a doctor's appointment. Although it is disruptions in the endocrine system that can cause the development of serious diseases. Parathyroid hormone has a great effect on the body. What is it, the norms of this hormone with the proper functioning of all organs and systems of the body, we will consider in the article.
What is parathyroid hormone
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a hormone that is produced by the parathyroid glands located either in the thyroid gland itself or on its posterior wall. The parathyroid glands in the human body are mainly four, but sometimes there are more of them.
The main function of parathyroid hormone is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. If calcium deficiency is felt, enhanced secretion of PTH begins, and vice versa. This allows you to maintain the level of trace elements at the proper level. Under the influence of parathyroid hormone, if necessary, calcium is taken from the skeletal system, since it is there that the main part is located. Excessive leaching of the trace element is manifested by an increase in PTH in the blood.
The role of this hormone in the body is quite difficult to overestimate. After all, calcium, which controls parathyroid hormone, takes part in many processes - in muscle contraction, in the normal functioning of the nervous system, in blood coagulation and many others.
The functions and role of parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Such a hormone, in addition to controlling the level of calcium, performs other important functions in the body:
- promotes the withdrawal of phosphorus;
- does not allow the withdrawal of calcium from the body with urine;
- controls the content of vitamin D;
- interferes with the disease with rickets, diabetes mellitus and thyrotoxicosis;
- positively affects the functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
- prevents endocrine disruptions;
- with an excessive increase in calcium in the blood, directs it to the bones;
- stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Diagnostic method
Very often, an analysis of the level of parathyroid hormone is prescribed to patients who have diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For diagnosis, venous blood is used. The amount of hormone in the blood varies throughout the day. It reaches its maximum values at night, and the minimum - about 7 o’clock in the morning.
To obtain the most reliable result, the analysis is performed on an empty stomach. The day before him, quit smoking, taking medications and alcohol. It is also worth abandoning physical activity and try not to be nervous.
Indications for analysis
Indications for the study of the level of parathyroid hormone in the body are the following conditions:
- osteoporosis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- increase or decrease in the amount of calcium in the blood;
- frequent bone fractures;
- osteosclerotic processes on the body of the vertebrae;
- changes in the bones of the cystic nature;
- assumptions about the presence of tumors in the parathyroid gland.
Norms
The norm of the amount of the hormone does not change by gender - in both men and women, normal rates will be the same. When determining the level of the hormone, the age of the patient should be taken into account.
Categories | Value, pg / ml |
From birth to 22 years | 12.0 - 95.0 |
23 - 70 years old | 9.5 - 75.0 |
After 71 years | 4.7 - 115.0 |
Pregnant women | 9.5 - 75.0 |
Increased parathyroid hormone
For many patients, after receiving the results of the analysis, the question arises: “If parathyroid hormone is elevated, what does this mean?” With the proper functioning of the body, an increase in PTH occurs in response to a decrease in the amount of calcium. As a rule, after the balance is restored, the hormone level returns to normal. But there is a pathological increase in the content of PTH. The consequence of this is an increase in blood and calcium levels, which in some cases can lead to hypercalcemia.
Hyperparathyroidism is usually divided into the following types:
- Primary. Violations occur due to improper functioning of the parathyroid glands.
- Secondary. This condition is provoked by hypocalcemia, when a lack of calcium is manifested in the blood.
- Tertiary. This type of hyperparathyroidism is not very common. It occurs against the background of the secondary, when the causes have already been eliminated, but the production of PTH continues in an increased volume.
- Pseudohyperparathyroidism. With this type, an increase in the hormone does not occur due to the work of the parathyroid glands, but is synthesized by tumors of third-party tissues.
If parathyroid hormone is elevated, treatment and causes will be interrelated. When prescribing therapy, you must first find the source of the problem.
Reasons for the increase
The reasons for increasing parathyroid hormone are many. And each of them causes a certain type of hyperparathyroidism. For example, the following dangerous diseases can be causes of the primary type:
- benign thyroid tumor - this is the main reason for the development of the primary type of pathology;
- renal failure;
- blastoma;
- adenoma;
- carcinoma.
The causes of the secondary type are:
- kidney pathology;
- lack of calcium;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- lack of vitamin D;
- bone disease
- myeloma.
The causes of increased parathyroid hormone in the blood of tertiary hyperparathyroidism are neoplasms on the thyroid gland, resulting from the development of the diseases described above. In simple words, in the presence of diseases that cause a secondary type of hyperparathyroidism, the level of PTH is increased. A persistent increase leads to the tertiary type and can cause the development of tumors.
The causes of pseudohyperparathyroidism are tumors of organs not associated with the thyroid gland. Therefore, if during the diagnosis, pathological conditions were not found on it, then it is worth looking for the cause in another organ.
If parathyroid hormone is elevated in a man, the reasons for this will not differ from the occurrence of pathological abnormalities in a woman. It should only be noted that with age, the risk of increasing the hormone in women is slightly higher.
Symptoms of increased hormone
If parathyroid hormone is elevated, the causes and symptoms will be interrelated and may affect completely different organs and systems of the body.
The earliest symptom, as a rule, is a strong feeling of thirst and frequent urination. Other signs of increased PTH are:
- frequent joint pain;
- fractures
- developing osteoporosis;
- skeleton deformation;
- children may experience stunting;
- crushing of teeth;
- intestinal colic;
- the formation of kidney stones;
- pain in the lower back;
- kidney disease
- constipation
- loss of appetite;
- rapid weight loss is sometimes possible;
- a feeling of dry mouth;
- vomiting and nausea;
- heart rhythm and blood pressure disorders;
- weakness, abrupt mood swings, depressive disorders;
- muscle cramps.
The consequences of increased PTH
Many are interested in what is the danger of increasing parathyroid hormone? Since PTH affects the functioning of many organs and systems of a person, a deviation from the norm in its values can provoke the development of many diseases. These include:
- osteoporosis and softening of bones;
- the formation of kidney stones;
- calcification and a consequence of this stomach ulcer and circulatory disturbance - this happens because calcium salts can affect blood vessels;
- the formation of tumors.
But the most dangerous complication with increased parathyroid hormone is hyperparathyroid crisis. This is the name of a condition in which the level of calcium in the blood rises sharply to 3.5–5 mmol / L. A person suddenly begins to feel acute pain in the abdomen, impaired consciousness, a rapid increase in temperature to 40 degrees. Vomiting may occur. This condition can trigger infections, pregnancy, the use of foods rich in calcium and the use of antacids ("Rennie", "Almagel").
The prognosis for such a crisis will depend on how early he was diagnosed and applied treatment. But still, the risk of mortality from it is about 50%.
Low parathyroid hormone
A decrease in the level of parathyroid hormone is much less common than its increase. The causes of this condition may be:
- underdevelopment of the parathyroid glands;
- thyroid injury;
- postoperative decrease in hormone levels;
- autoimmune conditions;
- treatment of hyperparathyroidism;
- tumors;
- hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of lowered parathyroid hormone are:
- visual impairment;
- painful cramps;
- mental disorders;
- violation of autonomic functions;
- increased sweating;
- Dizziness
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- deterioration of tooth enamel, hair and nail quality.
These symptoms can significantly impair a person’s quality of life, but with timely treatment, hormone levels return to normal. If therapy is not prescribed for a long time, serious complications may appear.
Treatment
Knowing the reasons for the increase in parathyroid hormone, treatment will be prescribed primarily to eliminate them. As a rule, in most cases, surgical intervention is indicated for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism . This removes the tumor or part of the thyroid gland. After surgery, you may need to take hormonal drugs.
In the case of a slight increase, the doctor may decide on the appointment of an appropriate diet, which limits the consumption of salt, meat dishes, as well as pickled and smoked products.
For the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, it is first necessary to eliminate the underlying disease that caused the violation of the level of PTH. Carry out, for example, therapy of the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys. If at the same time a reduced level of calcium in the blood is diagnosed, then preparations containing this trace element are prescribed. Vitamin D may also be indicated.
In a state of hyperparathyroid crisis, treatment will occur in the intensive care unit, where the level of calcium in the blood is regulated by binding it. Dialysis therapy and parathyroid hormone antagonists are also used. An important treatment for crisis is the use of calcitonitis, a hormone that helps calcium get from the blood to the bones.
If you know the causes and symptoms of an increase in parathyroid hormone, the treatment will be selected most optimally.
Teriparatide (drug PTH), calcium and vitamin D preparations are used to treat lowered parathyroid hormone, and sedative and anticonvulsant therapy can also be prescribed. From folk remedies in the absence of contraindications, you can use a decoction of birch buds and blackcurrant leaves.
Prevention
As a prevention of thyroid diseases, it is necessary to carefully monitor its health, periodically passing tests for the level of hormones that it synthesizes. Proper treatment of viral and infectious diseases is also needed. If there were operations on the glands, proper care for them is necessary. It is recommended to use foods rich in calcium, and exclude those that contain phosphorus - cottage cheese, shrimp, sea fish and others.
It is very important to monitor your condition and, at the first symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as possible to pass the necessary tests.
Conclusion
Violations of the level of parathyroid hormone in the blood, especially its increase, can cause the development of many dangerous diseases. With the first symptoms, it is important to visit the attending physician in a timely manner, who will determine the necessary therapy. Self-medication is strictly prohibited: an endocrinologist should observe the state of health and the course of the disease, clearly controlling the level of hormones and trace elements in the blood. Attempting self-treatment can cause irreparable harm to your health.
It is very important to remember that a timely diagnosis can not only protect against the development of serious complications, but in some cases save a life.