Parathyroid Q&A is a community of experts and patients dedicated to understanding and treating Parathyroid Disease.

100+
Questions and Answers

HypOparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism (not hypERparathyroidism) is a condition characterized by very low PTH levels and very low calcium levels. It usually occurs when all of the parathyroids are removed or damaged during an operation, though rarely it occurs spontaneously.

I'm really worried about becoming hypOparathyroid after parathyroid surgery. How do you prevent that?
Postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism (a lifelong deficiency of PTH) is a known risk of thyroid and parathyroid surgery. It is a terrible complication, but fortunately it is extremely rare. Note that everyone will have some temporary hypoparathyroidism after parathyroid surgery - this is expected, since the remaining parathyroid glands have been suppressed and are not making much PTH. This...
Postop complications HypOparathyroidism Hyperplasia
💬 0
I had my thyroid removed 10 years ago due to cancer (followed by radioactive iodine) and when I contacted the doctors to find out if my parathyroids were also removed, they didn't know. What kind of problems can I expect if they were removed and what can I do? (NOTE: I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since this surgery that is progressively getting worse)
Surgeons should always try to preserve the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery. Sometimes, it is not possible to save all four parathyroid glands, as a parathyroid gland can be attached to or within the thyroid gland itself. This is ok, though, since you really only need one parathyroid gland. One gland can make enough parathyroid hormone (PTH) to regulate your calcium levels. If one,...
Thyroid HypOparathyroidism
💬 0