Recognizing the Symptoms
Parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the body, and when they become overactive, symptoms can appear across multiple systems. Patients may experience thinning hair, bone loss, fractures, kidney stones, acid reflux, abdominal pain, joint discomfort, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Anxiety, irritability, or other mood changes are also common. Because these symptoms are often vague or misattributed, early diagnosis is especially important.
How Parathyroid Disease Is Diagnosed
The most accurate way to locate an overactive parathyroid gland is with a Sestamibi Scan, a specialized nuclear medicine test. Diagnosis also includes:
Blood tests showing elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI to locate enlarged glands
These tools help confirm the diagnosis and guide the surgical plan.
Treatment Options
Surgery is the only cure for parathyroid disease. Removing the overactive gland allows the remaining glands to resume normal function. During the brief period of adjustment, patients may take calcium supplements to support healthy levels.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
When the overactive gland is clearly located using a Sestamibi Scan, minimally invasive surgery is possible. This involves:
A small, one-inch incision
Local anesthesia only
A quick, 30-minute procedure using a handheld probe
Same-day discharge, with most patients resuming normal activities the next day
This advanced technique is offered by Dr. Krevitt and the surgical team at NYOG, using the latest technology for fast, effective recovery.
Traditional Surgical Approach
If imaging does not clearly locate the gland, a more extensive bilateral neck exploration may be necessary:
A larger incision (~4 cm) under general anesthesia
Surgery lasting 1–2 hours
Intraoperative rapid parathyroid hormone testing used to confirm removal
Overnight hospital stay for observation
Our surgeons tailor every operation to the patient’s needs and use the most effective approach to ensure a full and lasting cure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parathyroid disease can cause a variety of symptoms including thinning hair, bone loss, fractures, kidney stones, acid reflux, abdominal pain, joint discomfort, high blood pressure, fatigue, and mood changes like anxiety or irritability. These symptoms are often vague and can be easily misattributed, making early diagnosis important.
Diagnosis involves blood tests to check for elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI to locate enlarged glands. The most precise tool for locating an overactive gland is the Sestamibi Scan, a nuclear medicine test that guides the surgical plan.
Surgery is the only cure for parathyroid disease. Removing the overactive gland allows the other glands to regain normal function. After surgery, patients may need calcium supplements temporarily to maintain healthy calcium levels during the adjustment period.
Minimally invasive surgery uses a small, one-inch incision and local anesthesia, guided by precise localization of the gland using a Sestamibi Scan. The procedure is quick, usually around 30 minutes, and patients are typically discharged the same day, resuming activities soon after.
If imaging does not clearly identify the overactive gland, traditional bilateral neck exploration is used. This involves a larger incision under general anesthesia, a longer surgery time of 1–2 hours, intraoperative hormone testing to confirm gland removal, and typically an overnight hospital stay for monitoring.
Early diagnosis is important because the symptoms of parathyroid disease are often vague and can be attributed to other conditions. Detecting the disease early helps prevent complications such as bone fractures, kidney stones, and cardiovascular issues, ensuring timely treatment to restore normal calcium levels.
The Sestamibi Scan is crucial for accurately localizing the overactive parathyroid gland, which allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery. Precise localization improves surgical outcomes, reduces operative time, and allows quicker recovery for patients.