The thyroid and parathyroid are separate glands located in the neck. Each serves an important function: the thyroid generates a hormone that regulates the body’s metabolism, while the parathyroid controls the level of calcium in the blood. Together, they are responsible for many of the body’s daily functions.

What Are the Most Common Thyroid Conditions?

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone (TH) that controls your body’s energy production and consumption.

This hormone helps regulate a variety of body processes including heart rate, body temperature and how quickly you burn calories. When too much or too little hormone is generated, your health is negatively affected.

Hyperthyroidism is the name given to a disorder that is the result of too much TH hormone. This causes the metabolism to speed up, leading to:

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Fatigue
  • Heat intolerance
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremors
  • Weight loss
  • Increased bowel movements

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by an autoimmune disorder known as Grave’s disease, nodules, goiter, inflammation of the thyroid gland and too much iodine. The condition is usually treated with drugs such as beta-blockers, antithyroid medications like methimazole, radioactive iodine or surgery.

When the opposite occurs and too little TH hormone is produced, the metabolism slows down and results in a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms include:

  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Sore muscles
  • Dry skin
  • Puffy face
  • Swollen legs
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Sensitivity to cold

An autoimmune disorder called Hasihomoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Others include an inflammation of the thyroid gland called lymphocytic thyroiditis, thyroid destruction following radioactive iodine treatment or surgery, pituitary gland injury and iodine deficiency. Treatment for this disorder involves life-long therapy with synthetic thyroid hormone.

What Are the Most Common Parathyroid Disorders?

The parathyroid is a group of glands that produce a hormone (PTH) to regulate calcium and phosphorous levels in the body.

Bone and tooth development and strength are dependent on calcium. As with the thyroid gland, too much or too little PTH causes a variety of medical problems.

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when too much PTH is secreted into the bloodstream. This creates an imbalance of high calcium levels and low phosphorous levels. Symptoms include:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Kidney stones
  • Bone and joint pain
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of concentration
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

The cause may be linked to a benign tumor or enlarged parathyroid gland. Surgery is the preferred treatment for hyperparathyroidism.

When too little PTH is produced, calcium levels in the blood drop while phosphorous levels rise. This condition is known as hypoparathyroidism and causes:

  • Weakness
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms
  • Cataracts
  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Memory loss
  • Tingling sensations in the fingers, toes and lips.

Injury to the parathyroid glands, endocrine disorders and genetic conditions are the most common causes of hypoparathyroidism. Calcium carbonate and vitamin D supplements are given to restore the proper balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body.

Call ENT Specialists of Metairie at (504) 889-5335 for more information or to schedule an appointment.