Topic Overview
The
parathyroid glands are four tiny glands located within
the thyroid gland in the neck. They produce parathyroid hormone, which helps
control the amount of
calcium in the blood. If your parathyroid gland is too
big (enlarged), it can cause your body to produce too much parathyroid hormone
(hyperparathyroidism). This may lead to too much calcium in the urine, which
makes it more likely that you will have calcium
kidney stones.
If you get kidney stones because of enlarged parathyroid glands, your
doctor may suggest surgery to remove one or more of the glands
(parathyroidectomy).
In this procedure, you are given
general anesthesia and the surgeon makes an incision
in the front of your neck. He or she then finds the parathyroid glands,
determines their size, and removes any enlarged ones. In most people, there is
only one enlarged gland.
How long you stay in the hospital and how quickly you recover depend
on your age and general health. But many people leave the hospital a few days
after surgery. You typically can return to work and your normal activities in 1
to 2 weeks.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerTushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology