What causes hypoparathyroidism? The most common cause is injury to or removal of all 4 parathyroid glands. That can accidentally happen during surgery to remove the thyroid. Some people are born without these glands. What does hypoparathyroidism look like?
Signs and symptoms of hypoparathyroidism can include: Tingling or burning in your fingertips, toes and lips. Muscle aches or cramps in your legs, feet, stomach or face. Twitching or spasms of your muscles, particularly around your mouth, but also in your hands, arms and throat.
Is hypoparathyroidism life threatening?
As long as you get enough calcium and vitamin D and have your blood checked regularly, you should be able to keep your hypoparathyroidism under control. If you don’t take your daily supplement and watch your diet, the condition can be dangerous. What are the signs of hypoparathyroidism?
The symptoms of hypoparathyroidism can include:
- a tingling sensation (paraesthesia) in your fingertips, toes and lips.
- twitching facial muscles.
- muscle pains or cramps, particularly in your legs, feet or tummy.
- tiredness.
- mood changes, such as feeling irritable, anxious or depressed.
- dry, rough skin.
Who is at risk for hypoparathyroidism?
The risk factors for hypoparathyroidism include recent thyroid or neck surgery, a family history of parathyroid disorder, or certain autoimmune endocrine diseases such as Addison’s disease. What autoimmune diseases cause hypoparathyroidism?
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism may be isolated or associated with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I, which is also associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, pernicious anemia and other autoimmune conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What is the diet for hypoparathyroidism?
Some individuals with hypoparathyroidism may be encouraged to make dietary changes to help treat their condition. Affected individuals may be encouraged to eat foods high in calcium such as dairy products, breakfast cereals, fortified orange juice and green, leafy vegetables.
How can I raise my calcium level?
If you’re avoiding dairy, make a habit of incorporating some of these other calcium-rich foods in your diet:
- Canned sardines. …
- Fortified soy, almond and rice milk.
- Fortified orange juice. …
- Tofu made with calcium sulfate.
- Canned pink salmon with bones.
- Fortified cereals and English muffins. …
- Greens. …
- Beans.
Can vitamin d3 help with hypoparathyroidism?
The mainstay of therapy for hypoparathyroidism is calcium and vitamin D supplementation with active vitamin D 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D). Hypercalciuria, a common feature of hypoparathyroidism, can be addressed specifically by a low salt diet and/or thiazide diuretics.
Can levothyroxine hurt your kidneys?
A study by Shin et al. in 2012 reported a significantly higher incidence rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among SCH patients not treated with levothyroxine [10]. Treatment with levothyroxine was associated with a delay in progression to CKD stage 5 or ESRD, as well as overall renal function preservation [10].
Is hypoparathyroidism a disability?
Can hypoparathyroidism be cured?
Unlike most other hormonal deficits, hypoparathyroidism is not treated with replacement of the missing hormone, parathyroid hormone (PTH). Currently, the standard treatment for hypoparathyroidism consists of activated vitamin D (calcitriol) and calcium supplements. Some people may also need magnesium supplementation.
Is hypoparathyroidism curable?
Because hypoparathyroidism is usually a long-lasting disorder, treatment generally is lifelong, as are regular blood tests to determine whether calcium is at normal levels. Your doctor will adjust your dose of supplemental calcium if your blood-calcium levels rise or fall.
What is the most common form of hypoparathyroidism?
Postsurgical hypoparathyroidism is the most common type of hypoparathyroidism. Patients with this condition have hypocalcemia after surgery, typically anterior neck surgery.
Can hypoparathyroidism cause weight gain?
Parathyroid disease and hyperparathyroidism are associated with weight gain. The worries about gaining weight after parathyroid surgery are understandable but unfounded. It is a myth that parathyroid surgery and removing a parathyroid tumor causes you to gain weight.
How do you test for hypoparathyroidism?
Blood tests Hypoparathyroidism is usually diagnosed via a simple calcium blood test. In hypoparathyroidism, your blood calcium level is low, your blood phosphate level is high, and your parathyroid hormone level is low. Further blood tests may then be carried out to confirm this diagnosis such as : thyroid function.
How do I keep my parathyroid glands healthy?
If you and your doctor have chosen to monitor, rather than treat, your hyperparathyroidism, the following suggestions can help prevent complications:
- Monitor how much calcium and vitamin D you get in your diet. …
- Drink plenty of fluids. …
- Exercise regularly. …
- Don’t smoke. …
- Avoid calcium-raising drugs.
Can parathyroid cause breathing problems?
This can sometimes occur after surgery. Rarely, the blood can collect in your neck and put pressure on your airway, causing breathing difficulties.
How long can you live with hyperparathyroidism?
Other times it can go 10 years without causing too much problems other than fatigue, bad memory, kidney stones, and osteoporosis. But make no mistake about it, hyperparathyroidism kills people–it just takes 20 or so years to do so.
Which electrolyte disturbance causes hypoparathyroidism?
Simply put, low levels of PTH disrupt the calcium/phosphorus balance. It’s the low level of circulating blood calcium that causes the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism. Calcium supplies our bodies with the electrical energy needed for normal muscle contraction and nervous system function.
What type of doctor treats hypoparathyroidism?
In most cases, vitamin D and calcium supplements are used to treat hypoparathyroidism. Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists will create a treatment plan customized to your particular diagnosis. Parathyroid and calcium disorders are treatable conditions.
What are the signs and symptoms of parathyroid disease?
Parathyroid Disease Symptoms
- A lump in the neck.
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing.
- Muscle weakness.
- Sudden increase in blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
- Fatigue, drowsiness.
- Urinating more than usual, which may cause you to be dehydrated and very thirsty.
- Bone pain and broken bones.
- Kidney stones.
What is the difference between hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism?
Hypoparathyroidism is usually treated with a special form of vitamin D (calcitriol) and with calcium tablets. Careful monitoring is required to optimize the dosages. Hyperparathyroidism occurs when the body continues producing PTH hormones even though calcium levels are higher than normal.
What foods should I avoid with hypoparathyroidism?
What should I avoid?
- Preservatives and food additives.
- Carbonated drinks.
- Refined foods, such as white bread and pasta.
- Trans fats, which can be found in commercially baked goods.
- Alcohol.
- Tobacco.
What foods to avoid if you have parathyroid?
Eat calcium-rich foods, including beans, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and kale). Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
Can a lack of calcium make you feel tired?
Low levels of calcium can cause extreme fatigue, which involves a lack of energy and an overall feeling of sluggishness. It can also lead to insomnia. Fatigue associated with a calcium deficiency can also involve lightheadedness, dizziness, and brain fog β characterized by a lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE ββin Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.