Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition where the parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone, making blood calcium levels fall and phosphorus rise. This causes a wide range of symptoms, including muscle cramps, pain and twitching. The parathyroid glands are in the neck near the thyroid gland, at the front.
Symptoms 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
- coarse hair that breaks easily and can fall out
- fingernails that break easily
Diagnosing hypoparathyroidism
You should see your GP if you have the symptoms above and are concerned.
Hypoparathyroidism is diagnosed after a blood test has shown:
- low parathyroid hormone levels
- low calcium levels
- high phosphorus levels
Treating hypoparathyroidism
Treatment for hypoparathyroidism involves taking supplements, usually for life, to restore normal calcium and phosphorus levels.
Treatment aims to relieve your symptoms and bring the levels of calcium and other minerals in your blood back to normal.
The normal calcium range is around 2.2 to 2.6 millimoles per litre (mmol/L).
You'll be advised to keep your calcium levels in a slightly lower range – for example, 1.8 to 2.25mmol/L.
Your recommended range will depend on your circumstances.
Calcium carbonate and vitamin D supplements are available from pharmacies, and can be taken to restore your blood calcium to these levels.
They usually have to be taken for life.
Ask your GP or pharmacist if you need information about the supplements.
You'll also need to have regular blood tests to monitor your parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus levels.
If your blood calcium levels fall to a dangerously low level, or you keep having muscle spasms, you may need to be given calcium through a drip directly into your vein.
Dietary advice
It's also recommended that you follow a high-calcium, low-phosphorus diet.
Good sources of calcium include:
- milk, cheese and other dairy foods
- leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra – but not spinach
- soya beans
- tofu
- soya drinks with added calcium
- nuts
- bread and anything made with fortified flour
- fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards
Phosphorus is found in:
- red meat
- dairy
- fish
- poultry
- bread
- rice
- oats
Causes of hypoparathyroidism
The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is removal of or accidental injury to the parathyroid glands during surgery to the neck.
Other causes include:
- autoimmune conditions, where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues – such as Addison's disease and pernicious anaemia
- being born without parathyroid glands or with glands that don't work properly – for example, people with the inherited genetic disorder DiGeorge syndrome are born without parathyroid glands
- radiotherapy to treat throat or neck cancer
- low blood magnesium levels – for example, because of alcohol misuse
More useful links
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.
For further information see terms and conditions.