Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you and your doctor have chosen to monitor, rather than treat, your hyperparathyroidism, the following suggestions can help prevent complications:
- Monitor how much calcium and vitamin D you get in your diet. The Institute of Medicine recommends 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day for adults ages 19 to 50 and men ages 51 to 70. That calcium recommendation increases to 1,200 mg a day if you're a woman age 51 or older or a man age 71 or older. The Institute of Medicine also recommends 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day for adults ages 19 to 70 and 800 IUs a day for adults age 71 and older. Talk to your doctor about dietary guidelines that are appropriate for you.
- Drink plenty of water. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily to lessen the risk of kidney stones.
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise, including strength training, helps maintain strong bones. Talk to your doctor about what type of exercise program is best for you.
- Don't smoke. Smoking may increase bone loss as well as increase your risk of a number of serious health problems. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit.
- Avoid calcium-raising drugs. Certain medications, including some diuretics and lithium, can raise calcium levels. If you take such drugs, ask your doctor whether another medication may be appropriate for you.
References
- Hyperparathyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hyper/hyper.htm. Accessed March 3, 2011.
- El-Hajj Fuleihan G. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- El-Hajj Fuleihan G. Clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Potts JT. Diseases of the parathyroid gland and other hyper- and hypocalcemic disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2903222&searchStr=hyperparathyroidism#2903222. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- El-Hajj Fuleihan G. Pathogenesis and etiology of primary hyperthyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Fitzgerald PA. Hyperparathyroidism. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 50th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14894&searchStr=hyperparathyroidism. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Silverstein SJ. Management of primary hyperthyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Estrogen and progestin combination (Ovarian hormone therapy) (Oral route). Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 3, 2011.
- Bisphosphonates. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 3, 2011.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Vitamin D. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-QuickFacts. Accessed March 3, 2011.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-QuickFacts. Accessed March 3, 2011.

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