Calcium and Parathyroid Center

Overview

The Calcium and Parathyroid Center addresses problems associated with the regulation of the body's bone, mineral and hormone functions. Important minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are critical for the body’s normal functioning, and are often taken for granted as a part of everyday activities. Too much or too little of these minerals can be detrimental to the body’s ability to function properly, and can lead to other serious problems or complications.

Common problems associated with calcium disorders include vitamin D deficiency, intestinal disorders, kidney stones, osteoporosis and parathyroid disorders such as hyperparathyroidism. Additionally, metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, bariatric surgery and organ transplantation are diagnosed and treated.

Free resources

• Calcium and Parathyroid Disorders Treatment Guide.
• Hyperparathyroidism Risk Assessment.

Conditions we treat

The Calcium and Parathyroid Center offers treatment for osteoporosis, bone loss, fractures, and to prevent bone loss in high risk patients and also for the following conditions:

• Hypercalcemia.
• Hypocalcemia.
• Osteoporosis.
• Osteopenia.
• Hyperparathyroid disease.
• Hypoparathyroid conditions.
• Paget’s disease of the bone.
• Vitamin D deficiency.
• Hypophosphatasia.
• Hypophosphatemia.

Bone loss

Our center offer treatment for bone loss due to:

• Cancer.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation.
• Antirejection medications after transplant.
• And malnutrition, malabsorption, and weight loss due to:
  • Celiac disease.
  • Bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
  • Other gastrointestinal surgeries or disease.
  • Parenteral (IV) nutrition.

Evaluation & treatment

Our center may provide a skeletal health evaluation in the following cases:

• Prior to undergoing organ transplant.
• Prior to undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
• Prior to bariatric surgery.
• After a fracture – hip, spine, ankle, wrist or other bones.
• Elevated bone markers.
• Elevated markers of bone turnover.

The Calcium and Parathyroid Center may also provide evaluation and treatment for the following conditions:

• Recurrent kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis).
• Osteopenia.
  
  

What We Treat

Hyperparathyroidism

The center addresses issues related to the parathyroid including the investigation, diagnosis, clinical and surgical management of parathyroid disease including hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and more.

What is hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive and secrete too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). Most of the time this causes the levels of calcium in the blood to rise, a condition known as hypercalcemia.

What are the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?

The symptoms of hyperparathyroidism include:

• Joint pain.
• Muscle weakness.
• Fatigue.
• Depression.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion.
• Increased thirst and need to urinate.

Other problems associated with a severe case of hyperparathyroidism include:

• Reduced kidney function, which affects the kidney's ability to filter blood.
• Kidney stones.
• Thinning bones (osteoporosis).

What are the causes of hyperparathyroidism?

There are three main types of hyperparathyroidism. The causes of each differs learn more below:

• In primary hyperparathyroidism one or more of the parathyroid glands cause overproduction of the hormone leading to hypercalcemia. Treatment depends of the severity of the symptoms. Surgery is the most common treatment but sometimes mild hypercalcemia can be followed medically.
• In secondary hyperparathyroidism the parathyroid glands are overactive in an attempt to keep the calcium levels normal. This may be seen when Vitamin D levels are low, kidneys are not working well, or the intestines are not absorbing enough calcium.

Hyperparathyroid testing

• Parathyroid Hormone Test (PTH) – A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of parathyroid hormone released into the blood by the parathyroid glands.
• Calcium - A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of Calcium present.
• Phosphorous - A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of Phosphorous present.
• Vitamin D - A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of Calcium present.
• Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scan (DEXA Scan) - is a technique of measuring bone mineral density to assess for osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• Urine Test – A procedure in which a urine sample is checked to measure the amount of Calcium and phosphorous present.

If you think that you may suffer from hyperparathyroidism, please schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today. The Calcium and Parathyroid Center also works directly with the Endocrine Surgery department to help expedite any surgical needs.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of the bone. This causes an increased risk for broken bones. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are silent diseases, not apparent often until a fracture occurs.

Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

There are a number of causes of osteoporosis. The most common are:

• Age – Adults over the age of 50 are more likely to develop osteoporosis.
• Gender – between 40% and 50% of women over the age of 50 are likely to suffer a bone break due to osteoporosis.
• Hyperparathyroidism.

Learn more about osteopenia and other bone related issues.

Bone density testing

Bone density is tested by a DEXA scan. This technique of measuring bone mineral density to assess for osteopenia and osteoporosis.

If you have been diagnosed with thinning of the bones or have experienced a recent broken bone, please schedule an appointment with one of our specialists as soon as possible to ensure that an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategy are identified.

Appointments & Locations

To schedule an appointment, please call 216.444.6568.

Locations

Our Doctors

Eren Berber, MD Staff	Marissa Brar, CNP	Lea El Hage, MD Staff
Katherine Heiden, MD Staff	Judy Jin, MD Co-Director	Leila Khan, MD Co-Director
Vikram Krishnamurthy, MD Staff	Joyce Shin, MD Staff	Allan Siperstein, MD Department Chair
Susan Williams, MD Associate Staff