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.

Do I Really Need Parathyroid Surgery?

You haven’t felt like yourself for ages. You feel so drained, and the brain fog just won’t clear. Your lab work seems fine; you may have been told it was fine. Perhaps slightly elevated calcium levels, but how bad could that be, right? It’s been a long and frustrating road to a hyperparathyroidism diagnosis, and now, they say you need surgery? It’s a relief to finally get some answers, but do you really need parathyroid surgery? It’s the right question to ask,

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What Is the Link Between Weight Gain and HPT?

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) may be related to weight gain or loss. To understand why, let’s examine some of the key questions surrounding this topic. What Is the Link Between Weight Gain and HPT? Research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and Medical Hypotheses showed a potential link between being overweight or obese and HPT symptoms. HPT can also cause chronic fatigue, making patients more prone to inactivity, which leads to weight gain. HPT is not directly caused by

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What To Expect: Parathyroid Surgery Recovery

Parathyroid surgery can be stressful, particularly for patients who are unsure about what happens after treatment. Fortunately, experienced board-certified head and neck surgeon Dr. Babak Larian of the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery in Los Angeles is available to perform parathyroid surgery — and take the guesswork out of parathyroid surgery recovery. By working with Dr. Larian, a patient can find out what to expect after parathyroid surgery. Dr. Larian also provides comprehensive support throughout all stages of parathyroid surgery

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Are Hyperparathyroidism and Hypothyroidism Related?

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and hypothyroidism may sound similar, but there are many differences between these medical conditions. Now, let’s examine HPT and hypothyroidism, their differences, and how both conditions are diagnosed and treated. What Are Hyperparathyroidism and Hypothyroidism? HPT affects any of the parathyroid glands, oval-shaped glands found in the lower portion of the neck. The parathyroid glands manage calcium in the body; to do so, they produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps keep the body’s calcium level in a normal

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Can Too Much Vitamin D Cause Hypercalcemia?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in fatty fish, beef liver, cheese, and other foods and available as a dietary supplement. The vitamin is also delivered to the skin via natural sunlight. The body uses vitamin D to promote calcium absorption in the gut. Additionally, vitamin D supports bone growth and remodeling and the neuromuscular and immune functions. Clearly, vitamin D is beneficial, regardless of how it is obtained. On the other hand, there may be

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Common Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) occurs due to an overactive parathyroid gland. In this instance, an individual can experience a wide range of physical symptoms that range from mild to severe. Read more about the symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism in the infographic below.       Common Symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) occurs due to an overactive parathyroid gland. In this instance, an individual can experience a wide range of physical symptoms that range from mild to severe. What Is Hyperparathyroidism? HPT is a

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Hyperparathyroidism and Polyuria (Frequent Urination): Here’s What You Need to Know

Is There a Link Between Hyperparathyroidism and Polyuria  (Frequent Urination)? You probably know that hyperparathyroidism happens when one or more parathyroid glands malfunction, producing too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). But you might be wondering, “What is polyuria?” Polyuria is the medical term for excessive urination. The average person produces around 2 to 3 liters of urine per day. In people with polyuria, the body produces more than 3 liters of urine — sometimes up to 15 liters!  Several conditions can

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Hyperparathyroidism and Cancer

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a medical condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands responsible for calcium regulation in the blood becomes enlarged. The affected gland then produces extra amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This increases the level of calcium in the blood. Hyperparathyroidism is a treatable condition, especially when it is caught early. In rare instances, however, there is a link between hyperparathyroidism and cancer. If you have symptoms of hyperparathyroidism like brittle bones, stomach pain, and kidney

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How to Recover and Treat Your Scar from Parathyroid Surgery

Parathyroid surgery is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (HPT). While there are many important factors to consider before deciding to have a surgical treatment, a potential scar shouldn’t be the main decider. While parathyroid surgery can leave a scar, a smooth recovery is possible and can limit the impact of parathyroid surgery scarring. This article will discuss how to recover and treat your scar from parathyroid surgery. What is a Parathyroid Surgery Scar? Scarring is common during all types of surgery.

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Issues That a Loss in Bone Density Can Cause

Bone density loss is commonly associated with osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle. It can lead to a number of issues, the most obvious being bone fractures. People dealing with this issue are more susceptible to fractured hip and spine bones — what might seem like an unremarkable fall or injury for someone with healthy bones becomes a major issue for a patient with bone density loss. Weakened hip bones from density loss means a

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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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