As a rule, if the calcium level in the blood is low, the parathyroid glands sense this and release PTH. PTH then causes release of calcium from the bones into the bloodstream, increases vitamin D production from the kidney which ultimately increases absorption of calcium from the intestines. If the calcium level is too high, then PTH secretion should decrease to a very low level.

Hyperparathyroidism exists when the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). This may be due to multiple reasons, and the reason helps determine the appropriate type of treatment. Sometimes treatment is as simple as replacing vitamin D when the parathyroid gland is responding appropriately to a problem elsewhere in the body. In other cases, there is an issue with the gland itself and surgery is required. Excess parathyroid hormone can lead to negative effects on the body such as osteoporosis which can lead to fractures, kidney stones, decreased kidney function, heart disease, pancreatitis, increased acid secretion in the stomach and ulcers. Many patients experience symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, difficulty with their memory, insomnia, generalized muscle aches and pains, frequent urination (especially at night), and constipation. Because these symptoms may be related to many other disorders, it is never known until after treatment whether or not these will improve.

The opposite problem, hypoparathyroidism, occurs when the parathyroid glands do not produce enough PTH. This leads to a low blood calcium level and can adversely affect muscle, nerve and other functions.

Several things can put you at a higher risk of hyperlipidemia, including:

• Having a family history of high cholesterol.
• Having hypothyroidism.
• Having obesity.
• Not eating a nutritious diet.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Having diabetes.
• Smoking.
• Certain medications like Beta-Blockers, Birth control pills, steroids among others.
• Multiple disease processes including Liver disease, Diabetes, Sleep apnea, hypothyroidism among others.

Your provider will want:

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Laboratory testing of your cholesterol levels in your blood.
• Your family’s medical history.
• To calculate your 10-year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Score.

A blood test called a lipid panel will tell you these numbers:

Some people can just change their lifestyles to improve their cholesterol numbers. For other people, that’s not enough and they need medication.
Things you can do include:

• Exercising.
• Quitting smoking.
• Sleeping at least seven hours each night.
• Keeping your stress level well managed.
• Eating healthier foods.
• Limiting how much alcohol you drink.
• Losing a few pounds to reach a healthy weight.

People who need medicine to treat their high cholesterol usually take statins. Statins are a type of medication that decreases how much bad cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your provider may order a different type of medicine if:

• You can’t take a statin.
• You need another medicine in addition to a statin.
• You have familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic problem that makes your bad (LDL) cholesterol number extremely high.