Many people have no symptoms. The condition is often discovered accidentally when blood tests are done for another medical reason.

Symptoms that may occur include the following:

• Bone fractures
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Kidney stones
• Lethargy
• Muscle pain
• Nausea

Blood tests are done to check the levels of parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and bicarbonate.

A 24-urine test is done to check for increased calcium in the urine.

Other tests include:

• Bone density exam
• Kidney x-rays (may show kidney stones)
• MRI or sestamibi neck scan (may show swelling of the parathyroid glands)
• Neck ultrasound
• Kidney ultrasound or CT (may show kidney stones)

Images

Endocrine glands

Parathyroid glands

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Parathyroid adenoma Overview

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Parathyroid adenoma Treatment

Review Date: 08/31/2010
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)