Question: what is the difference between hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia?
Answer: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a disorder of one or more of the parathyroid glands (figure 1). The parathyroid gland(s) becomes overactive and secretes excess amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH). As a result, the blood calcium rises to a level that is higher than normal (called hypercalcemia).