Every patient with a diagnosis of pHPT should be seen by an experienced endocrine surgeon to discuss surgical management. Surgery is not for everyone but it is the only way to cure the problem so it is worth getting an opinion. Other methods of managing the disease can only hope to minimise the impact of disease but cannot cure it.
Excision of the problematic gland or glands is the goal of the parathyroidectomy operation and is indicated in the vast majority of patients with the disease. This is useful for a multiplicity of reasons and the true benefits for patients are long lasting and significant in terms of quality and duration of life. It is well established that bone density, kidney function and cardiovascular health all benefit from cure of the disease. This is in addition to resolution of any pre-operative symptoms that patients may have suffered from related to the disease.
