E21: Hyperparathyroidism and other disorders of parathyroid gland

E21.1: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, not elsewhere classified

The parathyroid glands are 4 small glands at the edge of the thyroid gland. A messenger substance is formed in the parathyroid glands. This messenger substance affects the calcium and phosphate content in the body. Calcium from the bone is dissolved by the messenger substance and released into the blood. It thus also affects bone firmness.

Your parathyroid glands are working too much due to another disease. As a result, too much messenger substance is being created. That can occur for instance with intestinal diseases, liver diseases or a vitamin D deficiency.

If you have too many messenger substances of the parathyroid gland in your blood, the calcium content in your blood may rise. At the same time, calcium is released from the bones. Then bone pain and joint pain may occur, for example. The bones can even become deformed. Other symptoms like a stomach ache or kidney stones may occur.