Haematological manifestations in primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder caused by the elevated secretion of the parathormone (PTH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the haematological manifestations of PHPT in patients with normal renal functions who were treated surgically for parathyroid adenomas.

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 134 patients with normal renal functions who underwent parathyroidectomies for PHPT were included. The haematological manifestations were evaluated in the total study cohort and in the two groups of different calcium (Ca) levels (Group 1 ≤11.2 mg/dl and Group 2 >11.2 mg/dl).

The overall prevalence of anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia was 20.1, 6.7 and 6.0 per cent, respectively. Normocytic anaemia was present in 19 (14.2%) patients. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia between the two groups. There were no correlations between the PTH levels and the leukocyte, haemoglobin or platelet values. Six to 12 months after the parathyroidectomy (PTX), 35.7 per cent of the patients with anaemia, 85.7 per cent of the patients with leucopenia and 100 per cent of the patients with thrombocytopenia had recovered.

In the present study, anaemia was seen with a variable frequency in PHPT, but there was no relationship between anaemia and high PTH or Ca levels. The development of anaemia can be seen regardless of the PTH levels in PHPT patients with normal renal functions. High-resolution rates after PTX indicate a possible association between PHPT and thrombocytopenia or leucopenia, although their prevalence is low in PHPT.