Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and polyuria can occur in conjunction with each other. Yet, with help from parathyroid gland surgeon Dr. Babak Larian of the CENTER for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery in Los Angeles, a patient can treat both conditions at the same time.
Dr. Larian is a board-certified head and neck surgeon with comprehensive HPT and polyuria expertise. He wants to educate his patients about these conditions to ensure they can safely and effectively treat any parathyroid gland abnormalities.
A Closer Look at Hyperparathyroidism
HPT is a medical condition that results in overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which the body uses to manage its calcium level. When too much PTH is present, physical and emotional symptoms can occur, such as:
- Abdominal, bone, and/or joint pain
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Along with these symptoms, HPT can lead to frequent urination. This can occur when HPT patients experience an elevated blood calcium level (hypercalcemia) caused by overactivity of one or more parathyroid glands. This is most often caused by a parathyroid adenoma, a benign tumor that grows inside a parathyroid gland and contributes to HPT.
Do Hyperparathyroidism and Frequent Urination Always Occur in Combination with One Another?
For those who urinate frequently, it is crucial to meet with a doctor. That way, a doctor can evaluate a patient and perform tests to determine the root cause of their condition.
Frequent urination can occur as a result of HPT. It has also been linked to other medical issues, such as:
- Diabetes: Frequent urination may be an early symptom of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
- Enlarged Prostate: If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can press against the urethra (which transports urine out of the body), irritate the bladder, and cause frequent urination.
- Stroke: A stroke can damage nerves that affect bladder function, resulting in frequent urination.
To identify the cause of frequent urination, a doctor first performs a physical exam. The doctor also reviews a patient’s medical history, finds out if the patient is experiencing other symptoms, and learns about their overall health and wellbeing.
Based on the results of a physical exam, a doctor may order a urinalysis, a microscopic examination of a patient’s urine. In addition, the doctor may request a cystometry to test the patient’s bladder function, cystoscopy to evaluate the inside of the patient’s bladder and urethra, and other diagnostic tests.
If a doctor determines HPT is causing a patient’s frequent urination, surgery may be used to correct the issue. A minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) performed by Dr. Larian has a high cure rate and low risk of complications. Most MIP patients experience minimal scarring, and they can usually return home within hours of treatment.
Comparatively, a doctor may discover that polyuria is causing a patient to frequently urinate. In this instance, the doctor must provide a custom polyuria treatment to help the patient achieve long-lasting symptom relief.
What Is Hyperparathyroidism Polyuria?
Polyuria is a medical condition that causes frequent urination. Research indicates the urine output of polyuria patients exceeds 3 liters per day in adults and 2 liters per day in children.
Common reasons why polyuria occurs include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream and travel through the kidneys. When this occurs, diabetes patients feel thirsty more often than before and may drink more frequently to stay hydrated, leading to polyuria.
- Kidney Failure: A malfunctioning kidney may be unable to effectively process and concentrate urine; thus, polyuria can be an early warning sign of kidney issues.
- Liver Disease: Liver disease affects the liver’s ability to process waste in the same way as it normally would, specifically ammonia, without ammonia being transformed to urea which in turn helps the kidney concentrate urine, the kidneys produce too much urine that is not concentrated and result in polyuria.
Hypercalcemia has been linked to polyuria, too. This condition affects the way the kidneys process urine, due to the fact that there is an excess amount of calcium in the blood. In this scenario, too much calcium can affect how the kidneys process urine and its ability to reabsorb sodium thus more calcium and sodium get in the urine and more water follows causing increased urination. HPT also changes the kidney’s response to another hormone called vasopressin which normally would concentrate and decrease the amount of urine being produced.
How Is Hyperparathyroidism Polyuria Treated?
How polyuria is treated varies based on the medical condition’s underlying cause. For instance, if a patient is coping with diabetes that leads to polyuria, changes to their diabetic treatment program may be necessary. Or, if polyuria is linked to the use of daily medications, a patient may require other medications, a change in dosage, or alternative therapies.
Changes in fluid consumption amounts and frequency and types of fluids consumed may help minimize polyuria as well. For example, if a polyuria patient frequently consumes several cups of caffeinated beverages at different points throughout the day, the patient may benefit from reducing their caffeine intake. Meanwhile, a polyuria patient who regularly drinks alcoholic beverages could alleviate frequent urination by limiting their consumption of these beverages or avoiding them altogether.
There may also be instances in which patients simultaneously experience HPT and polyuria. In these instances, proper diagnosis by a parathyroid gland expert like Dr. Larian is crucial. Followed by treatment of HPT.
Dr. Larian commits time and energy to evaluate a patient and learn about their symptoms. If a patient experiences polyuria and other symptoms of HPT, Dr. Larian performs localization studies to determine if one or more defective parathyroid glands are causing these symptoms.
Several localization studies are used to assess a patient’s parathyroid glands, and these studies include:
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce images of the parathyroid glands, muscles, blood vessels, and other structures under the skin.
- 4D Parathyroid CT Scan: Produces detailed images of the parathyroid glands and surrounding tissue.
- Sestamibi/Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan: Provides 3D images used to pinpoint the precise location of any defective parathyroid glands.
If Dr. Larian identifies parathyroid gland deformities and diagnoses a patient with HPT, he next creates a personalized treatment plan. He may recommend an MIP to help his patient alleviate HPT and polyuria.
The benefits of a parathyroidectomy to correct HPT and polyuria can be substantial. In one study of 152 primary HPT (PHPT) patients, researchers found that 97% of patients experienced polyuria and other physical and emotional symptoms. After PHPT patients underwent parathyroid surgery, 95% reported symptomatic improvement.
During parathyroid surgery, Dr. Larian uses a 4 gland assessment technique to make sure all the abnormal parathyroid glands are treated, and that his patient’s PTH level comes down appropriately and ensure that the procedure was effective. Dr. Larian also provides post-surgery instructions to help his patient achieve the full results of a parathyroidectomy.
Schedule a Parathyroid Surgery Consultation with Dr. Larian Today
Polyuria and other HPT symptoms may seem minor at first, but they can quickly get out of control. If any of these symptoms happen, it helps to treat them right away. In doing so, the symptoms can be diagnosed and managed appropriately.
Dr. Larian is a leading parathyroid gland surgeon with many years of industry experience, and he strives to help those coping with parathyroid gland issues. As such, Dr. Larian offers free consultations to those who experience polyuria and other HPT symptoms. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Larian, please contact us online or call us today at 310-461-0300.
