Hormons have a great influence on the normal functioning of human systems and organs. 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 failures 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 produced by the parathyroid glands, located either in the thyroid gland itself or on its back wall. There are mainly four parathyroid glands in the human body, but sometimes more are observed.
The main function of parathyroid hormone is to maintain within normal limits the level of calcium and phosphorus in the body. If there is a lack of calcium, increased secretion of PTH begins, and vice versa. This allows you to maintain the level of trace elements at the proper level. AtUnder the influence of parathyroid hormone, if necessary, calcium is taken from the skeletal system, since it is there that the main part of it 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 difficult to overestimate. After all, calcium, which parathyroid hormone controls, is involved in many processes - in muscle contraction, in the normal functioning of the nervous system, in blood clotting and many others.
Functions and role of parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Similar hormone, in addition to controlling the level of calcium, performs other important functions in the body:
- promotes the removal of phosphorus;
- prevents the excretion of calcium from the body with urine;
- controls vitamin D content;
- prevents rickets, diabetes and thyrotoxicosis;
- positively affects the functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
- prevents disruption of the endocrine system;
- 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. Venous blood is used for diagnosis. The amount of the hormone in the blood varies throughout the day. It reaches its maximum values at night, and its minimum values around 7 am.
To obtain the most reliable result, the analysis is carried outon an empty stomach The day before it, stop smoking, taking medications and alcoholic beverages. You should also give up physical activity and try not to be nervous.
Indications for testing
Indications for the study of the level of parathyroid hormone in the body are the following conditions:
- osteoporosis;
- urolithiasis;
- increase or decrease in the amount of calcium in the blood;
- frequent bone fractures;
- osteosclerotic processes on the vertebral body;
- changes in the bones of a cystic nature;
- Assumptions about the presence of tumors in the parathyroid glands.
Norms
The norm of the amount of the hormone does not change by gender - both in men and in women, normal indicators 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 |
| Birth to 22 | 12, 0 – 95, 0 |
| 23 - 70 years old | 9, 5 – 75, 0 |
| After 71 | 4, 7 – 115, 0 |
| Pregnant | 9, 5 – 75, 0 |
Elevated parathyroid hormone
In many patients, after receiving the results of the analysis, the question arises: "If the parathyroid hormone is elevated - what does this mean?" When the body works properly, there is an increasePTH in response to calcium depletion. As a rule, after the restoration of balance, the level of the hormone 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 there is a lack of calcium 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, the 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.
Reason for increase
There are many reasons for increasing parathyroid hormone. And each of them causes a specific type of hyperparathyroidism. For example, the following dangerous diseases can be the causes of the primary type:
- benign thyroid tumor - this is the main cause of the development of the primary type of pathology;
- kidney failure;
- blastoma;
- adenoma;
- carcinoma.
The reasons for the secondary type are:
- kidney pathology;
- lack of calcium;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- bone disease;
- multiple 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 presented above. In simple terms, 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 related to the thyroid gland. Therefore, if no pathological conditions were found during the diagnosis, then it is worth looking for the cause in another organ.
If the parathyroid hormone is elevated in a man, the reasons for this will be no different from the occurrence of pathological deviations from the norm in a woman. It is only worth noting 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 is usually intense thirst and frequent urination. Other signs of elevated PTH are:
- frequent joint pain;
- fractures;
- developing osteoporosis;
- skeletal deformation;
- children canstunted;
- teeth crumbling;
- intestinal colic;
- kidney stone formation;
- low back pain;
- kidney disease;
- constipation;
- loss of appetite;
- Sometimes rapid weight loss is possible;
- feeling dry mouth;
- vomiting and nausea;
- abnormal heart rhythm and blood pressure;
- weakness, mood swings, depressive disorders;
- muscle cramps.
Consequences of elevated PTH
Many are wondering what is the danger of increasing parathyroid hormone? Since PTH affects the functioning of many human organs and systems, deviations from the norm in its values can provoke the development of many diseases. These include:
- osteoporosis and bone softening;
- kidney stone formation;
- calcification and consequent stomach ulcers and circulatory disorders - this is due to the fact that calcium s alts can also touch the blood vessels;
- tumor formation.
But the most dangerous complication of elevated parathyroid hormone is hyperparathyroid crisis. This is the name of the 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 be provoked by infections, pregnancy, the use of foods rich in calcium and the use of antacids.("Rennie", "Almagel").
Prognosis for such a crisis will depend on how early it is diagnosed and treated. But still, the risk of mortality from it is about 50%.
Low parathyroid hormone
Decrease in the level of parathyroid hormone is much less common than its increase. The reasons for this condition may be:
- underdevelopment of the parathyroid glands;
- thyroid injury;
- postoperative lowering hormone levels;
- autoimmune conditions;
- treatment of hyperparathyroidism;
- tumors;
- hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of low parathyroid hormone are:
- visual impairment;
- painful cramps;
- mental disorders;
- violation of autonomic functions;
- excessive sweating;
- dizziness;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- deterioration of tooth enamel, quality of hair and nails.
These symptoms can significantly impair a person's quality of life, but with timely treatment, the hormone levels return to normal. If therapy is not prescribed for a long time, serious complications may occur.
Treatment
Knowing the reasons for the increase in parathyroid hormone, treatment will be prescribed first of all to eliminate them. As a rule, surgery is indicated for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in most cases. This removes the tumor or part of the thyroid gland. After the operation mayneed to take hormonal drugs.
In case of a slight increase, the doctor may decide to prescribe an appropriate diet, which limits the consumption of s alt, meat dishes, and pickled and smoked foods.
To treat secondary hyperparathyroidism, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying disease that caused the violation of PTH levels. Carry out, for example, therapy of the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys. If at the same time a reduced level of calcium in the blood was diagnosed, then preparations containing this trace element are prescribed. Vitamin D may also be indicated.
In a state of hyperparathyroid crisis, treatment will take place in the intensive care unit, where the level of calcium in the blood is regulated by its binding. Dialysis therapy and parathyroid hormone antagonists are also used. An important treatment for a crisis is the use of calcitonite, a hormone that helps calcium move from the blood to the bones.
If you know the causes and symptoms of an increase in parathyroid hormone, the treatment will be most optimal.
To treat low parathyroid hormone, teriparatide (medicated PTH), calcium and vitamin D supplements are used. Sedative and anticonvulsant therapy may 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 preventive measure for thyroid diseases, it is necessary to carefully monitor its he alth, periodically taking tests forthe level of hormones it synthesizes. Proper treatment of viral and infectious diseases is also necessary. If there were operations on the glands, proper care is necessary for them. It is recommended to eat 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, see a doctor as soon as possible to pass the necessary tests.
Conclusion
Disturbances in the level of parathyroid hormone in the blood, especially its increase, can cause the development of many dangerous diseases. At the first symptoms, it is important to visit the attending physician in a timely manner, who will determine the necessary therapy. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited: an endocrinologist should observe the state of he alth and the course of the disease, clearly controlling the level of hormones and microelements in the blood. Attempting self-treatment can cause irreparable harm to your he alth.
It is very important to remember that a timely diagnosis can not only prevent the development of serious complications, but in some cases, save a life.
