The normal thyroid gland also absorbs sestamibi. Sestamibi is a radioactive compound that is absorbed by overactive parathyroid glands and can be detected by a scanner that detects radioactivity. If your doctor recommends surgery, he or she will likely use one of these imaging tests to locate the parathyroid gland or glands that are causing problems: Your doctor may order an X-ray or other imaging tests of your abdomen to determine if you have kidney stones or other kidney abnormalities. If a very low calcium level is found in the urine, this may mean it's a condition that doesn't need treatment. This test may help in judging the severity of hyperparathyroidism or diagnosing a kidney disorder causing hyperparathyroidism. A 24-hour collection of urine can provide information on how well your kidneys work and how much calcium is excreted in your urine. This test uses special X-ray devices to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a bone segment. The most common test to measure bone mineral density is dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This test is done to see if you have developed osteoporosis. These tests include:īone mineral density test. After diagnosing hyperparathyroidism, your doctor will likely order more tests to rule out possible secondary causes, to identify possible complications and to judge the severity of the condition.