We have all heard about the thyroid gland, but what is parathyroid?
The parathyroid glands are the so-called “neighbors” of the thyroid gland. On average, there are four of them in the human body. They are located on the tissue of the thyroid gland, only behind. Hence the name – parathyroid.
We tell you what you need to know about this mysterious organ.
Dilyara Lebedeva, endocrinologist:
“An interesting fact: the number of parathyroid glands can vary, there are data on the presence of twelve glands. Their location may also change. Medicine knows cases when they were in the thymus (thymus gland), mediastinum, pericardium, behind the esophagus and even in the bifurcation of the carotid artery, ”says the endocrinologist. The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called parathyroid hormone, or PTH for short. Parathormone is considered the main, but not the only regulator of calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
Parathyroid hormone functions:
The regulation of calcium metabolism in the blood and in the body is also involved in the demineralization of bones, which in turn increases the level of calcium in the blood plasma due to leaching from the bone matrix. Interacts with the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of calcium and solutes. Stimulation of the conversion of active vitamin D3 in the intestine by increasing calcium absorption. Reducing the reabsorption of phosphates, promotes their excretion in the urine, this regulates the exchange of phosphorus in the body. Participates in the work of vitamin D.
When there is a lot of parathyroid hormone, hypercalcemia develops, which leads to osteoporosis, kidney stone formation, complications from the cardiovascular system, as well as ulcers, gastritis in the stomach.
In the opposite situation, when there is little parathyroid hormone, there will be hypocalcemia, which leads to nervous excitability, which is manifested by convulsions and muscle weakness, as well as to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
It is important to understand that some people are at risk of suffering from malfunctions of the parathyroid glands. First of all, these are those who underwent surgery on the thyroid gland.
Also at risk are people with:
thyroid cancer, hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands, diagnosed with osteoporosis or with frequent fractures, urolithiasis, frequent constipation, vitamin D deficiency.
All problems with the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands are solved by the endocrinologist. In the routine, we often do not notice that something could go wrong with our health. Moreover, very many dangerous diseases at first do not give specific signs and hide behind seemingly inconspicuous and seemingly insignificant symptoms.
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