Your parathyroid gland is located in your neck, adjacent to your thyroid gland. Hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland regulate the concentration of calcium, vitamin D and phosphate--a form of the mineral phosphorus--in your blood. Hyperparathyroidism is the production of excessive levels of parathyroid hormone, resulting in calcium loss from bone and decreased levels of phosphate in the blood.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
There are two types of hyperparathyroidism: primary and secondary. Primary hyperparathyroidism results from damage or enlargement to the parathyroid gland, resulting in excessive production of parathyroid hormones. Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs because of another medical problem causing low blood calcium, stimulating production of high levels of parathyroid hormone.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential mineral for good health. A large portion of the phosphorus in your body is found in the form of phosphate, mostly in the bones. Phosphate groups are linked to proteins and enzymes to change their biochemical activity. The primary means of storing chemical energy for later use in the body is linking chains of phosphate groups to molecules such as ATP, or adenosine triphosphate.
Calcium and Phosphorus
The salt of calcium and phosphate -- calcium phosphate -- is insoluble in water. If both calcium and phosphate levels are high in your blood or other compartments of your body, calcium phosphate can accumulate, eventually killing cells. For this reason, when calcium levels in your blood rise with hyperparathyroidism, levels of phosphate in your blood are decreased. This potentially results in phosphorus deficiency.
Phosphorus Deficiency
Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include fatigue, weakened bones, loss of appetite, anemia, frequent infections, pain and numbness or tingling sensation. Treating the hyperparathyroidism will reverse phosphorus deficiency caused by the condition. Phosphorus is found is many foods, especially meat and dairy products.
Member Comments