Senile parathyroid dysfunction:characteristics of diagnosis and treatment

Senile parathyroid dysfunction is mainly seen in primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT or SHPT).PHPT in the elderly usually affects in females,with fatigue and osteoporosis as the common symptoms.Screening of blood calcium and further evaluation of parathyroid hormone(PTH) for subjects with blood calcium 2.6mmol/l can be helpful for early identification of patients.For PHPT patients who are indicated for surgery and whose lesion can be well localized,surgical treatment can be more beneficial.SHPT is mainly found in patients with end-stage chronic renal dysfunction necessitating hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.For these patients,monitoring of PTH level,early supplement of calcium preparations and use of large-dose calcitriol appears helpful to maintain the blood levels of calcium and PTH.