Question:
What is Secondary hyperthyroidism?

Had some post -op blood work done. Intact PTH levels range from 12-72. Mine is 126. the graph puts me in something called secondary hyper-parathyroidism. What does this mean?    — Rita B. (posted on November 29, 2001)

November 29, 2001
The parathyroid glands, located next to the thyroid gland in your neck, are responsible for secreting parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. PTH is secreted when your blood calcium levels get too low. The fact that your hyperparathyroidism is secondary means that there's nothing wrong with the glands themselves--that would be primary. Instead, there is something else in your body that is making the glands secrete more hormone. There are several causes of this and I'm not really in a position to address those. Has your doctor talked to you about this, and what did he/she say?
   — Kristy S.