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Parathyroid Disease in the Elderly

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Abstract

The primary function of the parathyroid glands is to maintain calcium homeostasis through the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone is regulated by serum calcium through calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) on the parathyroid cell surface. In turn, most peripheral tissues, primarily kidney and bone, have PTH receptors which can affect varying functions. In the past, disturbances in this system were difficult to recognize until the development of clinically significant disease. With the development of better biochemical assays for serum PTH and calcium levels, subclinical derangements can be diagnosed before patients become symptomatic. The management of patients with the broad spectrum of metabolic calcium disturbances remains controversial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Maine Medical Center, 887 Congress Str, Suite 400, Portland, 04102, ME, USA

    Leslie S. Wu

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  1. Leslie S. Wu
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  2. Sanziana A. Roman
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  3. Robert Udelsman
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Correspondence to Leslie S. Wu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA

    Ronnie Ann Rosenthal

  2. Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Clarkson Ave. 450, Brooklyn, 11203, New York, USA

    Michael E. Zenilman

  3. , Chairman, Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, 21215, Maryland, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Wu, L.S., Roman, S.A., Udelsman, R. (2011). Parathyroid Disease in the Elderly. In: Rosenthal, R., Zenilman, M., Katlic, M. (eds) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_35

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