Improvement in renal function in primary hyperparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were measured pre- and post-parathyroidectomy in 9 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Radiological studies had shown no sign of renal calculi or nephrocalcinosis in these patients. Before operation, GFR ranged from 98.5 to 23.4 ml/min/1.7 m2 and ERPF ranged from 510 to 127 ml/min/1.7 m2. After operation, GFR rose to a range of 108.8 to 48.7 ml/min/1.7 m2, and ERPF ranged from 556 to 189 ml/min/1.7 m2. The results suggest that early diagnosis and surgery are important, both to prevent progressive renal damage and to improve the possibility of recovery where functional damage has occurred.