If you’ve been told your calcium levels are high, you might be wondering, “Why Is My Calcium High?” Elevated calcium, or hypercalcemia, can be a sign of an underlying issue with your parathyroid glands. These small glands, located in your neck, play a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in your body. Mayo Clinic’s Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery department specializes in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of parathyroid problems, from simple to complex.
What Do Parathyroid Glands Do?
The parathyroid glands are four small glands situated in your neck, near your thyroid gland. Their primary function is to control calcium levels in your blood, bones, and tissues. As Dr. Melanie L. Lyden from Mayo Clinic explains, “What they are are four little glands that regulate the calcium.” When these glands function properly, they maintain a healthy balance of calcium in your body, which is essential for nerve and muscle function, bone health, and more.
Hyperparathyroidism: When Calcium Levels Rise
Often, high calcium levels are caused by a condition called hyperparathyroidism. This occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive. In many cases, as Dr. Lyden notes, “most often, it’s just one of them that develops a tumor of it.” This tumor, usually benign, causes the affected parathyroid gland to produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). Excess PTH then leads to the release of too much calcium into the bloodstream, resulting in hypercalcemia.
Diagnosing the Cause of High Calcium
At Mayo Clinic, diagnosing the cause of high calcium involves a comprehensive approach using advanced imaging techniques. Dr. Travis J. McKenzie highlights their multimodal imaging strategy: “We utilize multimodal imaging, meaning various types of imaging to identify where the abnormal parathyroid is located.” This may include:
- Ultrasound: A common initial imaging test to visualize the parathyroid glands.
- Parathyroid Sestamibi Scan: A nuclear medicine scan that helps pinpoint overactive parathyroid glands.
- Four-Dimensional CT Scan: An advanced CT scan providing detailed images of the neck and parathyroid glands.
- Choline PET Scan: A cutting-edge imaging technique, as Dr. Trenton R. Foster describes, “PET choline is one of the newest imaging modalities that’s out there… with this type of scan, we can find parathyroid glands that are otherwise missed by traditional imaging techniques.” This advanced scan is available at select centers like Mayo Clinic due to the need for onsite choline isotope generation.
This thorough diagnostic process ensures accurate identification of the problematic parathyroid gland, paving the way for effective treatment.
Treating High Calcium Levels and Hyperparathyroidism
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment for hyperparathyroidism is typically very effective. Dr. Foster explains the positive outcomes patients experience: “In many of these cases, we’re able to treat hyperparathyroidism and watch these symptoms literally go away.” Surgery is the most common and often curative treatment for hyperparathyroidism caused by a parathyroid tumor.
Mayo Clinic emphasizes a patient-centered and efficient approach to treatment. Dr. McKenzie states, “What we strive for is really to have a very efficient and effective itinerary for our patients and know they’re going to be operated on by very high-volume, experienced parathyroid surgeons.” Patients can feel confident that they will receive expert care and achieve successful outcomes at Mayo Clinic.
Find Relief from High Calcium at Mayo Clinic
If you’re concerned about why your calcium is high, understanding the role of your parathyroid glands and the possibility of hyperparathyroidism is the first step. Mayo Clinic’s specialized Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery team offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for parathyroid conditions. With their experienced surgeons and state-of-the-art technology, they are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to help patients find relief and improve their health.
