Hyperparathyroidism

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you and your doctor have chosen to monitor, rather than treat, your hyperparathyroidism, the following suggestions can help prevent complications:

  • Monitor how much calcium and vitamin D you get in your diet. Limit your intake of calcium to about 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams a day and your intake of vitamin D to about 400 to 600 international units a day. Talk to your doctor about dietary guidelines that are appropriate for you.
  • Drink plenty of water. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily to lessen the risk of kidney stones.
  • Exercise regularly. Regular exercise, including strength training, helps maintain strong bones. Talk to your doctor about what type of exercise program is best for you.
  • Don't smoke. Smoking may increase bone loss as well as increase your risk of a number of serious health problems. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit.
  • Avoid calcium-raising drugs. Certain medications, including some diuretics and lithium, can raise calcium levels. If you take such drugs, ask your doctor whether another medication may be appropriate for you.
References
  1. Rodgers SE, et al. Primary hyperparathyroidism. Current Opinion in Oncology 2008;20:52.
  2. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons position statement on the diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism. Endocrine Practice. 2005;11:49.
  3. Hyperparathyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hyper/hyper.htm. Accessed March 23, 2009.
  4. El-Hajj Fuleihan G. Clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
  5. Taniegra ED. Hyperparathyroidism. American Family Physician. 2004;69:333.
  6. Bringhurst FR. Hormones and disorders of mineral metabolism. In: Kronenberg, HM, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/127508547-4/0/1555/168.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2911-3..50029-7--p1224. Accessed March 23, 2009.
  7. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Vitamin D. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD_pf.asp. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  8. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium_pf.asp. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  9. Phosphorus. Foods Standards Agency (UK). Accessed March 25, 2009.
  10. Wuthrich RP, et al. The role of calcimimetics in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2007;37:915.
  11. Silverberg SJ, et al. Management of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.  http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.

DS00396

May 16, 2009

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