Parathyroid disease can sneak up on you and ransack your health and well-being. The symptoms are easy to dismiss or attribute to other causes, so parathyroid problems often go undiagnosed.
At The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas, our team sees this condition often, so we want to spread the word about the telltale signs of parathyroid disease. Here are five key symptoms to watch for.
Do you ever feel unusually weak, even without heavy physical exertion? For example, climbing stairs or lifting objects you once managed easily have become difficult.
Your parathyroid glands help regulate calcium in your blood, so parathyroid disease can lead to hypercalcemia — too much calcium in the bloodstream. This excess calcium interferes with normal muscle function, resulting in persistent weakness.
Pay attention to symptoms that appear alongside your muscle weakness, like bone pain or frequent urination, as these can be additional indicators of parathyroid issues.
While many factors can contribute to fatigue, persistent and unexplained tiredness might be linked to parathyroid disease. The imbalance of calcium levels can affect energy production, leaving you feeling drained.
Calcium plays a vital role in cellular energy production, so when your parathyroid glands aren’t working correctly, calcium dips and so does your energy.
If you’re experiencing chronic fatigue despite adequate rest, it might be time to look deeper.
Another symptom of parathyroid disease is a need to sleep more, which is closely related to the persistent fatigue caused by the calcium imbalance.
Unregulated calcium levels cause your body to expend more energy trying to maintain balance, leading to an increased need for sleep. Even when you sleep longer, you may still wake up unrefreshed because parathyroid disease disrupts the body's natural rhythms.
Track your sleep patterns. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a restful environment, and avoid stimulants before bed. If these steps don’t help, visit The Endocrine Center to explore underlying causes.
Parathyroid disease can also affect your mental health. The calcium imbalance caused by parathyroid disease causes mood and mental health changes. Low calcium (hypocalcemia) can affect neurotransmitter function, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of depression can include persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. If you’re experiencing these alongside other symptoms like fatigue or muscle weakness, consider the possibility of parathyroid involvement.
Injuries and arthritis mainly cause joint pain, but when it’s unexplained, it can be another sign of parathyroid disease because calcium imbalances can affect bone metabolism.
Calcium is essential for strong bones. When parathyroid glands malfunction, calcium leaches from the bones, making them weaker and more prone to pain, especially in the joints, making movement uncomfortable.
Joint pain related to parathyroid disease can be widespread and persistent. Unlike typical arthritis, this pain often doesn't respond to standard anti-inflammatory treatments and persists despite rest.
If you’re experiencing any of these common parathyroid-related symptoms, we can help. We can run blood tests, bone densitometry, ultrasounds, CT scans, and sestamibi scans to diagnose parathyroid disease and start you on a personalized treatment plan.
Don’t ignore the signs of parathyroid disease. Call The Endocrine Center or request an appointment online to set up an evaluation.
