title: Primary hyperparathyroidism and familial hyperparathyroid syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ninety percent of cases of hypercalcaemia are due to primary hyperparathyroidism or hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article outlines the diagnostic features of primary hyperparathyroidism and determines who would benefit from parathyroidectomy. It also aims to raise awareness of familial hyperparathyroid syndromes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism requires hypercalcaemia, elevated or inappropriately normal serum parathyroid hormone and a fractional urinary excretion of calcium greater than 0.02. Many patients benefit from parathyroidectomy, which has a high rate of cure.
authors: Department of Endocrinology, University of New South Wales, St. George Hospital Campus. miriam_blackburn@yahoo.com
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Blackburn
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018761:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone