What Happens When the Parathyroid Glands Aren’t Functioning Properly?
Because the parathyroid glands help control and regulate our nervous and muscular systems, many conditions are associated with disorders of parathyroid function and disease. Essentially these can be divided into two categories:
Hyperparathyroidism results in elevated calcium levels in the blood, which may lead to osteoporosis, kidney stones, fatigue, depression and even death in extreme cases. Alternatively, hypothyroidism results when there is not enough calcium in the blood which may result in fatigue, bone pain, insomnia, cramping abdominal pain and headaches. Low calcium levels can also lead to an irregular heart beat, seizures and airway spasms which may result in respiratory failure.
Unfortunately, there is no current surgical alternative to treat hypoparathyroidism, instead intravenous calcium is often administered as a preferred treatment option.
Hyperparathyroidism
When the parathyroid glands under produce parathyroid hormone, PTH, this is known as hypoparathyroidism. When PTH is not produced in sufficient amounts, low levels of calcium in the blood may result. These low levels may cause twitching or cramping of muscles or tetany (involuntary muscle contractions).
The condition can be inherited; however it can also become prevalent following thyroid or parathyroid gland surgery. Typically diagnosis is made via blood tests with genetic testing following, depending on the results.
Treatment of hypoparathyroidism is limited because there is yet to be an artificial form of PTH that can be administered as a direct replacement.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism result because of the low blood calcium level, creating an interference with muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Because of this, patients diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism may experience paresthesia, a tingling sensation around the mouth and in the hands/feet, as well as severe muscle spasms known as tetany.
Other symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, insomnia, cramping abdominal pain and headaches. Low calcium levels can also lead to an irregular heart beat, seizures and airway spasms which may result in respiratory failure.
Treatment
A true replacement for PTH does not yet exist, however there are several options, the most common of which is intravenous calcium, generally administered through a central venous catheter.
Vitamin D and calcium supplements are used to treat the problem long term, however they may become ineffective due to renal damage.
As of this writing, hypoparathyroidism is the only hormone insufficiency that doesn’t have a hormone replacement therapy approved.
Hypoparathyroidism
When the parathyroid glands under produce parathyroid hormone, PTH, this is known as hypoparathyroidism. When PTH is not produced in sufficient amounts, low levels of calcium in the blood may result. These low levels may cause twitching or cramping of muscles or tetany (involuntary muscle contractions).
The condition can be inherited; however it can also become prevalent following thyroid or parathyroid gland surgery. Typically diagnosis is made via blood tests with genetic testing following, depending on the results.
Treatment of hypoparathyroidism is limited because there is yet to be an artificial form of PTH that can be administered as a direct replacement.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism result because of the low blood calcium level, creating an interference with muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Because of this, patients diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism may experience paresthesia, a tingling sensation around the mouth and in the hands/feet, as well as severe muscle spasms known as tetany.
Other symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, insomnia, cramping abdominal pain and headaches. Low calcium levels can also lead to an irregular heart beat, seizures and airway spasms which may result in respiratory failure.
Treatment
A true replacement for PTH does not yet exist, however there are several options, the most common of which is intravenous calcium, generally administered through a central venous catheter.
Vitamin D and calcium supplements are used to treat the problem long term, however they may become ineffective due to renal damage.
As of this writing, hypoparathyroidism is the only hormone insufficiency that doesn’t have a hormone replacement therapy approved.
