Author: Dr. Babak Larian

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Dr. Babak Larian

Dr. Babak Larian, the Chairman and Director of the CENTER for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery in Los Angeles, is a highly experienced and reputable board-certified surgeon, specializing in head and neck surgery. He is nationally renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery techniques in the treatment of parathyroid disorders. Today, Dr. Larian holds the prestigious position of Clinical Chief of the Division of Otolaryngology at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

Explore Dr. Larian’s articles on hyperparathyroidism: what the symptoms look like, how it’s diagnosed, how it relates to conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease, and what treatment involves. Each article is meant to help you make sense of your results and decide on your next step.

Sestamibi Scan for Parathyroid Disease

by Dr. Babak Larian | Parathyroid A sestamibi scan is used to evaluate the function of the parathyroid glands; these four glands are located in the neck and help manage the body’s calcium levels. To better understand the impact of a sestamibi scan, let’s examine this parathyroid gland assessment in detail. What Is a Sestamibi Scan? A sestamibi scan was introduced in the 1990’s, and today, is used in hospitals around the world to help a doctor identify diseased parathyroid glands. With a sestamibi

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November 26, 2025

Hyperparathyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease

by Dr. Babak Larian | Parathyroid Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) that goes undiagnosed and untreated can contribute to cardiovascular disease, aka heart disease. Comparatively, HPT that is addressed in its early stages may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or reverse its effects. What Is the Link Between Hyperparathyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease? Elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels can contribute to HPT. Additionally, clinical research suggests that above-average PTH and calcium levels in HPT patients can cause cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm) and other cardiac abnormalities.

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November 26, 2025

Hyperparathyroidism and Osteoporosis: What’s The Connection?

by Dr. Babak Larian | Parathyroid Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) causes bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis over time. Brittle bones and a higher potential for fractures characterize osteoporosis. There is no cure for the disease, but treatments are available to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk. If hyperparathyroidism is present, hyperparathyroidism treatment is the priority to eliminate the primary bone loss cause. Bone Remodeling, Hyperparathyroidism, and Osteoporosis The link between HPT and osteoporosis can be traced to how bones develop. Bones begin as cartilage

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November 25, 2025

Primary Hyperparathyroidism During Pregnancy

Hyperparathyroidism presents unique challenges during pregnancy that can impact the lives and health of a mother and baby. Fortunately, the incidence of hyperparathyroidism in pregnant women is relatively small, affecting less than one percent of the entire population. However, as women are having babies later in life, the incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy could rise since the condition tends to strike older women. Hyperparathyroidism may lead to dangerous complications both during pregnancy and after the baby is born. When

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April 23, 2024

UK NICE Guidelines for Treatment of PHPT Explained

Because the symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are often similar to symptoms of a host of other medical conditions, PHPT may go undiagnosed. To help address this issue, the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) developed a series of guidelines to aid in diagnosing PHPT. The NICE 2019 Guidelines exist to aid medical providers in diagnosing & treating primary hyperparathyroidism. The NICE Guidelines can also help people struggling with symptoms of PHPT, along with families or

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March 6, 2024

What Is Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia (FHH), and How Does It Differ from Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)?

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) can cause a few symptoms that also happen in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). But, there are many differences between the two medical conditions. A medical evaluation is key for those who display symptoms of FHH and/or PHPT. After getting an evaluation, people can find out if either of these conditions are causing their symptoms and receive appropriate treatment. What Is Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia? FHH is an inherited disorder that causes the blood calcium level to rise. It

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January 11, 2022

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Testing: What Factors Can Affect Blood Calcium Levels?

Low or high blood calcium levels must be evaluated carefully during testing for hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Here are key factors that can impact the results of a parathyroid hormone (PTH) blood test. 1. Time of Day Research indicates PTH levels can start to rise after 6:00 p.m., reach their peak levels between 2:00 a.m., and fall to their baseline values. PTH levels can then again peak around 6 a.m., decline to baseline at 8:00 a.m. and then again peak at about

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January 5, 2022

Hyperparathyroidism and Emotions

In addition to affecting a patient’s physical health, parathyroid disease can have far-flung effects on mental wellbeing. The good news is, with proper testing and diagnosis, a patient can treat both the physical and mental health effects of hyperparathyroidism (HPT). What Mental Health Problems Can HPT Lead To? HPT occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produce an excess amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the body is unable to manage its calcium level. Over time, calcium in the body

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October 18, 2021

Can Hyperparathyroidism Cause Weight Gain or Weight Loss?

Sometimes there is a direct correlation between hyperparathyroidism and weight gain or weight loss. To better understand this correlation, let’s examine the impact of weight on hyperparathyroidism. Can Weight Gain Contribute to Hyperparathyroidism? People dealing with hyperparathyroidism often display no visible symptoms. However, hyperparathyroidism has been linked to increased risk of a variety of medical conditions, including: Hypertension: Occurs due to high blood pressure that forces an excess amount of blood to push against artery walls; people dealing with hypertension

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August 31, 2021

Hyperparathyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and hyperthyroidism  sound similar, but there are many differences between these medical conditions. To better understand HPT and hyperthyroidism, let’s examine both conditions in detail. What Is Hyperparathyroidism? HPT affects one or more of the parathyroid glands, which help the body manage its calcium levels. The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium in the blood. If a person is dealing with HPT, the parathyroid glands produce excess amounts of PTH; this causes calcium levels in

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August 25, 2021

Think You May Have Hyperparathyroidism?

Dr. Babak Larian is a board-certified head and neck surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. Schedule an in-office or virtual consultation to find out what your results mean and what your options are.

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