The parathyroid gland is responsible for regulating the calcium and phosphate levels in the bloodstream. It also has the job of telling the kidneys to produce the active form of vitamin D. All of this is accomplished by its secretion of the parathyroid hormone. An overactive parathyroid gland is not helped by calcium supplements, however.
The Parathyroid Gland
The four parathyroid glands, each the size of a pea, are located on the top and bottom of the back side of the thyroid gland, as described in "Endocrine Physiology" by Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Department of Physiology at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Although the main purpose of the parathyroid gland is to prevent the calcium level in the bloodstream from becoming too low, it also lowers the phosphate level in the blood and helps activate vitamin D.
The Parathyroid Hormone
Whenever the calcium level in the bloodstream gets low, the parathyroid gland secretes the parathyroid hormone, explains James Lewis, III, M.D. of Nephrology Associates in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." This hormone stimulates bone cells called osteoclasts to increase their breakdown of bone so calcium can be released into the blood. In addition, the parathyroid hormone stimulates the kidneys to keep calcium in the bloodstream and to increase their conversion of the inactive form of vitamin D to the active form. The active form of vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium in the intestines.
An Overactive Parathyroid Gland
An overactive parathyroid gland is a gland that is releasing too much of the parathyroid hormone. The medical term for this disorder is hyperparathyroidism. Because too much parathyroid hormone is being released, people have a high level of calcium in their bloodstream. The disorder affects women three times more than men, according to Paul Fitzgerald, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." It is usually caused by a parathyroid adenoma, or a benign parathyroid tumor.
Calcium Supplements and an Overactive Parathyroid Gland
Thus, calcium supplements will not help an overactive parathyroid gland because the calcium level is already too high. Indeed, taking calcium supplements can make matters worse. Depending upon the level, someone with this condition may not have any symptoms or may have symptoms reflecting problems in the kidney, bones, heart and nerves. As described by Dr. Firtzgerald in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment," an individual with an overactive parathyroid gland may urinate a lot, have bone pain, have high blood pressure and decreased reflexes. Calcium supplements are for an underactive parathyroid gland, not an overactive one.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2011
- "Endocrine Physiology"; Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D.; 2010
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals; Disorders of Calcium Concentration; James L. Lewis, III, M.D.; May 2009
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