HWN Suggests

Your Parathyroid glands–how one or more of these can become a problem

This unfortunate and more rare outcome—when one has sluggish or no Parathyroid hormone (PTH)—is mostly caused by damage to the parathyroid during thyroid surgery or the use of RAI—radioactive iodine in the treatment of Grave’s disease or Thyroid Cancer. One will see calcium fall and phosphorus rise. Low magnesium can also cause a healthy parathyroid to produce less PTH, as can a body which has become too alkaline (the opposite of acidic), called alkalosis. The latter can be caused by hyperventilation or the excess of of bicarbonate (baking soda).

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Featured

 Hypopara: A quick guide

This is a very individual condition. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms or in the same way. Many people have no symptoms once medication is properly adjusted while others may continue to experience mild or severe symptoms. Calcium fluctuates in response to daily life.

 Hypoparathyroidism 101

Learn the basic facts about hypoparathyroidism — an endocrine condition that affects mostly women.

 The dawn of parathyroid hormone replacement therapy

It is 99 years since Leonard Thompson was given an injection of bovine insulin. In the intervening decades, we have developed effective replacement therapy for the majority of the classical hormone deficiencies. With the advent of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (rhPTH(1−84); ‘Natpar’ in Europe or ‘Natpara’ in North America), we can finally complete the set.

Articles of Interest

Hypoparathyroidism. Too Little Parathyroid Hormone. Low Blood Calcium From a Lack of PTH.

This is a very rare condition, and almost always occurs because of damage or removal of parathyroid glands at the time of parathyroid or thyroid surgery. This bears repeating: When people have too little parathyroid hormone (PTH), it is almost always because they had thyroid or parathyroid surgery and all four parathyroid glands were removed or injured.

Nature Journal

PTH replacement has emerged as a new treatment option. Clinical trials using human PTH(1–34) and PTH(1–84) showed that this treatment was safe and effective in studies lasting up to 6 years. Recombinant human PTH(1–84) has been approved in the United States and Europe for the management of hypoparathyroidism; however, its effect on long-term complications is still being evaluated.

Review of Hypoparathyroidism

Recombinant human PTH 1-84, full-length PTH, is now available for a selected group of patients with the disease who are not well controlled on the current standard therapy of calcium and active vitamin D. In addition, the role of PTH replacement on quality of life, intracerebral calcifications, cataracts, improving bone turnover, and reduction of renal complications of the disease remains to be further investigated.

Resources

Hypopara.org

Our Mission Is... To improve the lives of people impacted by hypoPARAthyroidism through education, support, research, and advocacy.

Hypopara Answers

Hypoparaanswers.eu is a central source of information for people living with hypoparathyroidism, and for others wishing to learn more about the disease. Here you can find information about the disease, details of signs and symptoms, management options and support for patients.

Hypoparathyroidism News

Check out Hypoparathyroidism News‘ collection of health insights, where you can find a variety of information relevant for patients and caregivers.

KnowHypoPara

Conventional therapy does not address the underlying pathophysiology of insufficient PTH levels.6 A greater understanding and identification of the symptoms impacting physical functioning and well-being can make the difference to a patient.

Living HypoPara

Hypoparathyroidism can feel isolating. That is why we created LivingHypoPara.com. We hope that by learning more about hypoparathyroidism, you feel empowered to share this knowledge, advocate for yourself, and discuss symptoms and impacts with your doctor. LivingHypoPara.com is here to support the hypoparathyroidism community with HypoPara education, lifestyle tips, and useful resources for daily life.

Pediatric Endocrine Society

Hypoparathyroidism can be present at birth or it can develop later; the former is called congenital hypoparathyroidism and the latter is known as acquired hypoparathyroidism. Some babies may be born without parathyroid glands, with under-developed parathyroid glands, or with an inability to make or use parathyroid hormone. Hypoparathyroidism may either be temporary, called transient, or permanent. Certain types of permanent hypoparathyroidism can be associated with other medical conditions or syndromes, such as DiGeorge Syndrome.

Natpara

NATPARA is a prescription parathyroid hormone used with calcium and vitamin D to control low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) in people with low parathyroid hormone blood levels (hypoparathyroidism). It is only for people who do not respond well to treatment with calcium and active forms of vitamin D alone, because it may increase the possible risk of bone cancer (osteosarcoma).

NORD

The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is damage to or removal of the parathyroid glands due to surgery for another condition. Hypoparathyroidism can also be caused by an autoimmune process or can occur for unknown reasons (idiopathic) or in association with a number of different underlying disorders.

StatPearls

Parathyroid hormone deficiency, also called hypoparathyroidism, results in hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and increased neuromuscular irritability. Patients may present with myalgias, muscle spasms, and in extreme cases, tetany.