Hyperparathyroidism Treatments

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Medications

Calcitriol (the most active vitamin D metabolite)—helps to reduce PTH production in secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney failure
Cinacalcet —helps to lower PTH blood levels for secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease
Paricalcitol (a vitamin D analog)—for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney failure
Ergocalciferol (a vitamin D analog)—for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism due to deficiency of vitamin D
Estrogen (hormone replacement therapy) for postmenopausal women

Surgery

A partial or complete parathyroidectomy may be done. This is the partial or total removal of the parathyroid. It may be used:

To remove a tumor—common in primary hyperparathyroidism and results in a 95% cure rate (calcium levels return to normal and decrease risk of bone and kidney problems)
To remove parathyroid tissue—common for tertiary or secondary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal failure; done when medical treatment has failed

Monitoring of Blood Calcium Levels

Your doctor may simply choose to regularly check your blood calcium levels. The doctor will also monitor you for possible complications. This may include regular bone density tests.