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Phosphorus Deficiency & Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is very common, and the risk of acquiring this disease increases with age. In many cases, the cause of this disorder remains unknown. In fact, many people who suffer from hyperparathyroidism have no family history of this disease. Phosphorus plays an important role in physiologic function, which primary hyperparathyroidism disturbs.

  1. Phosphorus

    • Phosphorus is a nonmetallic chemical substance that primarily helps in coordinating the nerve impulses. At the same time, it gives strength to bones and teeth in combination with calcium. Present in body tissues, it plays a vital role in health. The deficiency of phosphorus causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

    Deficiency of Phosphorus and Hyperparathyroidism

    • In addition to rickets and osteomalacia, phosphorus deficiency may induce pores in bones, clinically known as osteoporosis. In this condition, there is a great risk of bone fracture. Primary hyperparathyroidism may disturb phosphorus utilization and may cause deficiency by increased breakdown of the element. This decrease in phosphorus level adversely affects the normal metabolism of calcium and gives rise to many abnormal clinical conditions. Lack of normal phosphorus level may be hereditary and can be passed from generation to generation.

    Primary Hyperparathyroidism

    • Parathyroid glands rest in between thyroid glands in the anterior portion of the neck. There are four glands impregnated inside the thyroid. The deficiency of a hormone called as paratharmone causes tremendous muscular irritation. Moreover, parathyroid favors phosphorus deposition in bone and mobilization of calcium from the bone. When activity becomes hyper, bone loss increases. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs mainly due to autoimmune disease. Tumors or cancer of the thyroid or parathyroid glands may also be the culprit.

    Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism

    • A person suffering from hyperparathyroidism may show no symptoms at all, but weakness, pain and depression are general symptoms. There are some other uncommon pathological conditions induced by subclinical level of phosphorus which affects patient over 50 years of age. It causes severe bone and skeletal pain, tenderness, immobilization and remarkable muscular pain. The abnormal calcium levels induced by low phosphorus levels may cause kidney stone and other various disorders. If untreated, patients may face death within 2 years.

    Diagnosis of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

    • Hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed by checking calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in the blood. High blood levels of these two confirm hyperparathyroidism. Hence, a blood test that checks the level of parathyroid hormone is used to diagnose primary hyperparathyroidism. To understand the complexity of the disorder, other tests can be carried out, like a bone check-up and urine test. This is done to assess the condition of bones and check for kidney stones.

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