Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare, treatable condition that happens when you have low levels of parathyroid hormone in your blood, which causes you to have low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) and high levels of phosphorous in your blood.

Hypoparathyroidism is usually a chronic (lifelong) condition, but it can be temporary.

What are parathyroid glands?

Most people have four pea-sized parathyroid glands located behind their thyroid gland — the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. Like your thyroid, your parathyroid glands are part of your endocrine system. Sometimes your parathyroid glands are located along your esophagus or in your chest. These are known as ectopic (in an abnormal place) parathyroid glands.

Your parathyroid glands are in charge of controlling the amount of calcium in your blood by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). Too little PTH results in low amounts of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia), and too much PTH causes high amounts of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). PTH also helps control the levels of phosphorus and vitamin D in your blood and bones.

What is calcium and what does it do?

Calcium is one of the most important and common minerals in your body. Most of your calcium is stored in your bones, but you have and need it in your blood as well. The calcium in your blood has many important roles, including helping:

• Your nerves work.
• Make your muscles squeeze together so you can move.
• Your blood clot if you’re bleeding.
• Your heart work properly.

A low level of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia), which is caused by hypoparathyroidism, can affect your body’s ability to perform these important functions. Your body also needs calcium in your bones to make them strong. Hypocalcemia happens when there are low levels of calcium in your blood, not in your bones.

Can hypoparathyroidism cause an electrolyte imbalance?

Calcium and phosphorus are both electrolytes. Hypoparathyroidism can lead to electrolyte imbalance since it causes low levels of calcium and high levels of phosphorous in your blood.

Electrolytes are essential minerals in your body that have an electric charge. They’re key to many important functions in your body. Because of this, it’s important to treat hypoparathyroidism to return your blood calcium and phosphorus levels to normal.

Low levels of magnesium, another important electrolyte, can also cause hypoparathyroidism because your parathyroid glands need magnesium to function properly.

What is the difference between hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism?

In the medical world, the prefix “hyper-” means “too much” or “high.” The prefix “hypo-” means “not enough” or “low.” Hypoparathyroidism happens when your parathyroid glands don’t release enough parathyroid hormone (PTH), and hyperparathyroidism happens when your parathyroid glands make too much PTH.

Since your parathyroid glands are in charge of controlling the amount of calcium in your blood, too much PTH causes too much calcium in your blood, and too little PTH causes not enough calcium.

Who gets hypoparathyroidism?

Both adults and children can get hypoparathyroidism, though it’s a rare condition. Adults are more likely to get hypoparathyroidism from accidental damage to their parathyroid glands from neck or thyroid surgery. Children are more likely to have hypoparathyroidism due to a genetic condition called DiGeorge syndrome.