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Most people with primary hyperparathyroidism have one or more enlarged, overactive parathyroid glands that secrete too much parathyroid hormone. PTH regulates release of the calcium from bone, absorption of calcium in the intestine, and excretion of calcium in the urine. In most other cases, the excess hormone comes from two or more enlarged parathyroid glands, a condition called hyperplasia. In most cases the cause is unknown, occurring in people with no family history of the disorder.
Only about 3-5% of cases can be linked to an inherited problem. A person with hyperparathyroidism may have severe symptoms, subtle ones, or none at all. Other diseases can cause high blood calcium levels, but only in hyperparathyroidism is the elevated calcium the result of too much parathyroid hormone. Once the diagnosis is established, other tests may be done to assess complications.
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