Parathyroid hormone facts for kids

Parathyroid hormone is a special chemical messenger, called a hormone, made by tiny glands in your neck called the parathyroid glands. Think of these glands as little factories that produce this hormone.

The main job of parathyroid hormone is to control the amount of calcium in your blood. Calcium is super important for your body! It helps build strong bones and teeth, makes your muscles work, and keeps your nerves sending messages correctly. When your body needs more calcium in the blood, the parathyroid glands release this hormone. It helps take calcium from your bones and put it into your bloodstream.

If your body makes too little parathyroid hormone, it's called hypoparathyroidism. This means you might not have enough calcium in your blood, which can cause problems like muscle cramps. If your body makes too much parathyroid hormone, it's called hyperparathyroidism. This can lead to too much calcium in your blood, which might weaken bones over time or cause other health issues. Keeping the right balance of this hormone is key for a healthy body!

What are Parathyroid Glands?

Your parathyroid glands are four tiny glands, each about the size of a grain of rice. They are usually found behind your thyroid gland, which is another gland in your neck. Even though they are small, they play a huge role in keeping your body healthy by managing calcium levels.

How Parathyroid Hormone Works

Parathyroid hormone works like a signal. When your body senses that calcium levels in your blood are too low, the parathyroid glands get busy and release more of this hormone. The hormone then tells different parts of your body to help raise calcium levels:

• Bones: It tells your bones to release some of their stored calcium into the blood.
• Kidneys: It tells your kidneys to hold onto more calcium instead of letting it leave your body in your urine. It also helps your kidneys make a special form of Vitamin D, which is important for absorbing calcium from food.
• Intestines: With the help of Vitamin D, it helps your intestines absorb more calcium from the food you eat.

When calcium levels in your blood go back to normal, the parathyroid glands slow down the release of the hormone. This constant balancing act keeps your calcium levels just right.

Why Calcium is Important

Calcium is a vital mineral for many body functions.

• Strong Bones and Teeth: About 99% of your body's calcium is stored in your bones and teeth, making them hard and strong.
• Muscle Function: Calcium helps your muscles contract and relax, allowing you to move.
• Nerve Signals: It helps your nerves send messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
• Blood Clotting: Calcium is also needed for your blood to clot properly when you get a cut.

Problems with Parathyroid Hormone

Sometimes, the parathyroid glands don't work perfectly, leading to problems with parathyroid hormone levels.

Too Little Hormone: Hypoparathyroidism

If your parathyroid glands don't make enough parathyroid hormone, your blood calcium levels can drop too low. This condition is called hypoparathyroidism.

• Symptoms: You might feel tingling in your fingers, toes, and lips, or have muscle cramps and spasms. In severe cases, it can affect your heart and brain.
• Causes: It can happen after surgery in the neck (like thyroid surgery) if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged. Sometimes, it's caused by genetic conditions or your immune system attacking the glands.
• Treatment: Doctors can treat this by giving you calcium and Vitamin D supplements to help raise your blood calcium levels.

Too Much Hormone: Hyperparathyroidism

If your parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone, your blood calcium levels can become too high. This is called hyperparathyroidism.

• Symptoms: High calcium levels can make you feel tired, thirsty, or have stomach problems. It can also lead to kidney stones or weaken your bones over time.
• Causes: The most common cause is a small, non-cancerous growth (called an adenoma) on one of the parathyroid glands, which makes it overactive.
• Treatment: Often, the best way to treat this is with surgery to remove the overactive gland.

Keeping your parathyroid glands healthy and your parathyroid hormone levels balanced is important for your overall well-being and strong bones!