The parathyroid controls blood calcium levels.
The parathyroid consists of four small glands that sit on the thyroid. Their primary function is the balancing of blood calcium levels, which is essential to proper function of the brain, muscular and nervous systems in the body. If for some reason the parathyroid is removed or ceases to function properly, immediate medical intervention is required to keep the body from absorbing high levels of calcium and potentially causing permanent damage or death.
Monitors Blood Calcium Levels
The primary function of the parathyroid gland is to monitor blood calcium levels. The parathyroid gland is an especially vascular gland--which means it receives a much higher degree of blood flow than other areas of the body. This in turn helps the parathyroid monitor blood calcium levels. Each person has a unique blood calcium level that falls between 8.8 and 10.2 milligrams of calcium per deciliter of blood, according to the Norman Parathyroid Center. This number can be determined by a blood calcium test. Your unique number should remain constant. If it varies by more than .1 to .3 mg/dl from one test to the next, it indicates there may be a problem with the parathyroid.
Creation and Secretion of Parathyroid Hormone
The parathyroid creates and secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) into the bloodstream to increase blood calcium levels. When the parathyroid detects a decrease in blood calcium levels, it secretes PTH, which causes the body to increase the breakdown of bones for calcium that is then released into the bloodstream. This is not necessarily bad, because when blood calcium levels get to high (such after consuming a high-calcium meal or drink) PTH levels are decreased to allow for the re-mineralization of the calcium into bone. This only becomes a problem if there is not enough calcium being provided by a person's diet, resulting in more calcium being taken from the bones. This eventually could lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Prevention of Conditions Related to Blood-Calcium Imbalance
By decreasing PTH levels, the parathyroid allows for the re-mineralization of calcium into bone, which prevents blood calcium levels from getting to high. If a tumor begins to grow on the parathyroid, or if the thyroid is removed (and therefore the parathyroid along with it) then this blood calcium monitoring system will no longer function. Low levels of calcium prevent proper function of the brain, muscular and nervous systems. High levels of calcium can cause heart issues, liver damage, kidney damage and stones, strokes, and osteoporosis. Some of these problems can be fatal.
