Hypoparathyroidism

What Exactly Is It?

Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder in which your body produces too little or no thyroid gland. This hormone, together with the other hormone and also vitamin D called calcitonin, modulates the amount of calcium in bloodvessels. Hypoparathyroidism can lead to an abnormally low amount of calcium from the bloodstream, called hypocalcemia.

Parathyroid hormone is made by the parathyroid glands, four small glands located behind the thyroid gland in the neck.

Hypoparathyroidism is classified by doctors or acquired. In heritable hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid glands fail to function properly for some purpose that is unknown or are either absent at dawn. Hereditary hypoparathyroidism sometimes occurs with other defects, or as part of a syndrome that affects the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex. It causes symptoms although periodically symptoms will appear later.

Acquired hypoparathyroidism mostly happens when the parathyroid glands are removed or damaged during surgery. This could occur during surgery on the thyroid gland to treat hyperthyroidism or an thyroid gland or during surgery on the parathyroid glands to deal with a overproduction of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism). The hypoparathyroidism is usually temporary. Acquired hypoparathyroidism is less common than it was because physicians have understood that the value of preserving the parathyroid glands during surgery and because nonsurgical treatments for hyperthyroidism have are more common.

Infection

The symptoms of hypoparathyroidism result from the low levels of calcium in your system. The most frequent symptom is tingling of hands or your lips and tightness or muscle cramps. This illness is known as tetany, which causes painful and twitching spasms in the muscles of arms, hands, the face, throat and, some times, the feet. Seizures can occur, but they`re rare.

Symptoms accompanying hereditary hypoparathyroidism could comprise:

• Hair reduction

• Dry skin

• Candidiasis (candidiasis), usually of their fingernails, toenails, mouth, skin (thrush) or vagina

• Inadequate tooth growth in children

• Mental retardation

Diagnosis

Your doctor will inquire about spasms or twitching of hair loss, dry skin, muscles or yeast infections. In kiddies, your doctor will ask about tooth development and about the timing of developmental milestones (ages at which your son or daughter first rolled over, sat up, crawled, walked and talked ).

If you`re experiencing symptoms, your physician will search particularly in your face and handson. Your physician also will search for signs of dry skin, aspects of yeast infections and hair. Your doctor will confirm a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism to measure your levels of phosphorus, calcium and parathyroid hormone.

Expected Duration

Hypoparathyroidism may be a chronic (long-lasting) illness that requires lifelong treatment with calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Prevention

There`s absolutely no cure for sustained acquired hypoparathyroidism or either hereditary. Using calcium and vitamin D therapy, most people will have symptoms , if any.

Therapy

Whether it`s hereditary or acquired, hypoparathyroidism is treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements to keep a normal amount of calcium. Vitamin D is essential because it can help your body to absorb calcium. The supplements might have to be taken for the remainder of your lifetime, and your blood must be tested regularly to ensure proper levels of calcium and vitamin D are being maintained. Regular checkups are important. Episodes of tetany are treated using calcium given intravenously (into a vein), which provides quick relief of symptoms.

Medications called diuretics are given to avoid calcium in getting lost through the urine, a challenge that can lead to kidney stones. Diuretics will reduce the amount of calcium and vitamin D supplements that you want.

When To Call a Skilled

Telephone your doctor if you or a relative has muscle soreness in the head, hands, arms or feet; or a pins and needles feeling in hands or feet. Additionally call a physician if a child has the following symptoms:

• Excessive baldness

• Overly dry epidermis

• Patches of skin that is itchy, red or scaly

• Tooth abnormalities

• Delayed developmental landmarks

Prognosis

With appropriate therapy, individuals with hypoparathyroidism can expect to lead an almost normal living.

External resources

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)55 Kenosia Ave.P.O. Box 1968Danbury, CT 06813-1968Phone: 203-744-0100toll free: 1-800-999-6673TTY: 203-797-9590Fax: 203-798-2291 http://www.rarediseases.org/

Office of Rare DiseasesNational Institutes of Health6100 Executive Blvd.. Room 3B01, MSC 7518Bethesda, MD 20892-7518Phone: 301-402-4336Fax: 301-480-9655 http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/

Further information

Always seek advice from your healthcare provider to be sure the information displayed on these pages applies to your personal circumstances.