From the Research
Yes, hyperparathyroidism can cause mood changes, as evidenced by the most recent study in 2020 1, which found a relationship between primary hyperparathyroidism and depression. This condition, characterized by overactive parathyroid glands producing excess parathyroid hormone (PTH), leads to elevated calcium levels in the blood which can affect brain function. Patients commonly experience depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and fatigue. These psychological symptoms are often referred to as "parathyroid neuropsychiatric symptoms" and can significantly impact quality of life. The mood changes occur because calcium plays a crucial role in neurotransmitter function and neural signaling in the brain. When calcium levels are abnormally high, these processes are disrupted, affecting mood regulation. Importantly, these mood symptoms often improve after successful treatment of hyperparathyroidism, typically through surgical removal of the overactive parathyroid gland(s), as shown in a study from 2011 2. Many patients report significant improvement in their mental health following normalization of calcium levels. If you're experiencing mood changes and have been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, discussing these symptoms with your healthcare provider is important as they should be considered part of the overall clinical picture when determining treatment. Some key points to consider include:
- The prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, as found in the study from 2020 1
- The improvement in psychological and neurocognitive measures after parathyroidectomy, as shown in the study from 2011 2
- The relationship between the severity of depression and the serum calcium ion and parathyroid hormone level, as investigated in the study from 2020 1
- The importance of considering mood symptoms in the overall clinical picture when determining treatment for hyperparathyroidism, as highlighted in the study from 2007 3.