What s the difference between primary and secondary parathyroid disease?
Patient: My daughter had acute renal failure but last June her kidneys recovered to approx. 35%. She has a calcium level of 10.5 and I am wondering if she may have primary or secondary parathyroid disease? However, what is the difference between primary and secondary parathyroid disease...that I don t understand. Please explain. Doctor: Primary hyperparathyroidism is primarily a parathyroid pathology where the kidneys might be affected secondarily due to high calcium levels and renal stones. Hence it is important to known what was the cause of acute renal failure in your daughter's case. on the other hand a long standing kidney problem itself can lead to a parathyroiid pathology which is known as secondary hyperparathyroidism.