The parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the hormone produced from the 4 tiny glands on top of the thyroid. It is in charge of monitoring blood calcium levels. Because it regulates things like heartbeat and nerve functioning, blood calcium must be at a very precise and specific level. Therefore, the body works hard to keep blood calcium stable. When blood calcium gets low, the parathyroid hormone sends a signal to draw calcium out of the bone and into the blood. On the other hand, a signal is sent to draw the calcium out of the blood and into the bone when the blood calcium is high. Some individuals can develop a tumor on the parathyroid that causes the system to be overactive, breaking down too much bone in order to put more calcium into the blood. This is called a disorder of hyperparathyroidism. There are scans you can get to see which glands are overactive, and then you can develop a plan with your doctor to remove these glands. Dr. Brown has seen clients regain bone once a parathyroid gland is removed, reducing the withdrawal of too much calcium from bone, which was caused by the high PTH. To support bone further, you will want to make sure you are getting the key bone-building nutrients , doing bone-building exercises, following an alkaline diet, and making sure your digestion is in good shape. But removing the parathyroid itself can make a big difference for your bones if you have high PTH.
Listen to Dr. Brown below explain what happens if the parathyroid glands become overactive. For even more information on this topic, read our article Parathyroid Hormone and Magnesium: When “Normal” Is Not Always a Good Thing.