Hypoparathyroidism – How To Recognize And Treat It

Hypoparathyroidism is also known as hypocalcaemia is an endocrine disease in which the activity of secreting essential hormones is reduced. Today we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hypoparathyroidism, including its prevention and possible complications. You will learn how to recognize it and where to go after the diagnosis.

Read on!

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hypoparathyroidism, an endocrine condition that causes the thyroid to upset. This disorder causes the thyroid glands to produce very little PTH (parathyroid hormone). It is an important hormone responsible for the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism in the body.

As a result, the level of calcium in the body decreases, and at the same time the level of phosphorus rises above the recommended norm. Although hypothyroidism may appear to be an isolated pathology, it can sometimes be associated with another type of endocrine disease or disorder.

Unlike other types of thyroid disease (such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s) which are relatively common, hypoparathyroidism is considered a rare condition.

However, despite the fact that it does not occur with the same frequency as other thyroid diseases, the severity of the complications that can arise when diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism make fighting the condition essential given its importance.

Hypoparathyroidism: What You Need To Know About Hypoparathyroidism?

Many scientific articles indicate the appropriate approaches and methods of treating patients with hypoparathyroidism and the causes of this endocrine disorder. In 75% of cases, the condition appears after surgery – for example, after thyroid surgery, after irradiation of the thyroid gland for tumors, etc. These are the most common external causes.

In addition, other reasons are also distinguished:

• Autoimmune. The parathyroid glands can become weak with immunotherapy to treat a disease – such as cancer. Sometimes the body attacks this gland itself.
• Functional. Elevated or inadequate blood levels of magnesium can also lead to hypoparathyroidism.
• Destruction by radiation. As a consequence of treating hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer with the use of radioactive iodine.
• Neoplastic metastases. The reproduction of cancer cells, especially breast cancer, cancer of the thyroid gland and other organs. Metastasis can also lead to hypoparathyroidism.

In addition to the aforementioned causes, there are several others that may include various syndromes (DiGeorge syndrome, HDR syndrome, etc.) or disorders (unknown mitochondrial gene, calcium receptor hypersensitivity, parenchymal degeneration).

We cannot forget about the circumstances in which hypoparathyroidism occurs in individual cases. For example, in, but not limited to, mutations in PTH or CasR calcium receptors.

Hypoparathyroidism: What You Need to Know About Possible Complications

Now that we’ve looked at what can lead to a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, it’s time to talk about the complications that can arise if we don’t get treatment right in time.

The symptoms are less and more bothersome. For example, many people suffer from very dry skin that becomes scaly, involuntary muscle spasms, and a tingling sensation in the limbs and fingers.

In other cases, women may have more painful and heavy periods than usual. At the same time, brittle nails, dry and falling out hair and frequent abdominal pain may appear . However, these symptoms can worsen to the point of developing serious complications. These require you to see your doctor and start treatment immediately.

Severe complications of hypoparathyroidism:

• Convulsions in the body
• Cataract
• Calcium deposits in tissues
• Depressed state of consciousness, dementia
• Tetany – a condition where the muscles contract too much
• Mental disorders
• In some cases, hypoparathyroidism can lead to dementia. Such a case was described in the medical article  Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and dementia.

Hypoparathyroidism – treatment

According to various studies and tests, treatment with a vitamin D supplement may help reverse the condition. However, this vitamin is only effective in the absence of hypocalcaemia (a drastic reduction in calcium levels in the body.

In chronic treatment: a dairy-free diet, a supplement containing calcium,  vitamin D3 or its active metabolites: alfacalcidol or calcitriol. These drugs should be prescribed and agreed by a physician in accordance with your needs.

This means that it is important to diagnose hypoparathyroidism as soon as possible and start treatment on time.

Hypoparathyroidism: can you prevent it?

Currently, nothing allows us to counteract or reduce the chance of developing this endocrine disease.

However, we can apply some measures in practice to help us deal with this problem, so that it goes away as quickly as possible or to overcome unfavorable symptoms. 

You can also ask your doctor for inspection to examine the level of hormones, calcium and vitamin D in the blood. Treatment can then be started quickly, if needed, to prevent the hypoparathyroidism from progressing and becoming more severe.

It’s important not to ignore or ignore symptoms just because they appear mild or insignificant. In the case of hypoparathyroidism, we must remember that complications arise gradually. And if we do not treat them, they will become more and more serious and dangerous to your health.

Be aware of the risks and symptoms

As such, if you’ve recently had neck or thyroid surgery as we said, be aware of possible complications. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

It is important to act quickly so that doctors can make the correct diagnosis to confirm or rule out hypoparathyroidism.

Why is it so important? If left untreated for too long, this disorder can cause irreversible effects such as cataracts in the lens of the eye and the formation of calcium deposits in tissues and muscles.

Therefore, the best way to prevent the severe complications of hypoparathyroidism from developing this condition is to detect and treat the condition early.

Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with this disorder?