Are There Any Drugs That Can Treat Parathyroid Disease?

No. Parathyroid disease is caused by a tumor in one or more parathyroid glands that secretes excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH). Normal parathyroid glands stop secreting parathyroid hormone in response to normal or elevated calcium levels in the blood. The abnormal parathyroid adenoma does not "turn-off" in response to a normal or elevated calcium level in the blood stream and therefore continues to secrete PTH. This produces elevated calcium levels in the blood stream that can, in time, lead to other medical problems.

There are no drugs that can get rid of or remove a parathyroid tumor. Drugs will not counteract the effect of the elevated PTH, either. Symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism include bone pain, osteoporosis (thin bones), kidney stones, and abdominal discomfort. Osteoporosis is caused by excessive action of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone tissue. This in turn may lead to bone pain and even fractures.

Osteoporosis drugs such as Fosamax, Boniva or Actonel will not cure parathyroid disease. Drugs like Cinacalcet may help control your condition but will not cure it.  The functions of normal parathyroid glands are suppressed when the calcium level of the blood is elevated. However, a parathyroid adenoma continues to secrete PTH despite an elevated calcium level. As long as the tumor exists, the secreted PTH will be too powerful for any drug to counteract. As long as the parathyroid tumors exist, the PTH will remain elevated.

There is uniform agreement in the medical profession that persons diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism require surgery to remove the diseased parathyroid gland(s). You may not be experiencing the common signs or symptoms such as bone pain, kidney stones, or abdominal discomfort; nevertheless, the constantly elevated parathyroid hormone level is causing thinning of your bones and abnormally elevated calcium. A "wait and see" strategy is no longer considered a reasonable option for most people.

In almost all cases, the recommendation to treat abnormal parathyroid adenoma is surgery. Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires an incision of only a one-inch or less, and the procedure can be performed in less than half an hour. Minimally invasive surgery helps patients recover faster with minimal neck scarring.

To summarize, no medicine or treatment can cure primary hyperparathyroidism. In virtually all cases, surgery is the only viable option.

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