What do you suffer from in hypoparathyroidsm?

Answer 1

Hypoparathyroidsm is a condition in which the parathyroid gland is producing less hormone than its normal physiological level. There two pairs of parathyroid glands situated in the neck on the posterior(back) of the thyroid gland. There are minute and is almost impossible to see in the cadaver. The parathyroid glands secrete only one hormone, which is Parathyroid hormone, which is responsible for maintaining normal serum calcium levels (i.e calcium in the blood) which is around 10mg/dl. Calcium is responsible for, blood clot formation, Bone formation, Muscle contraction, nerve functions, hence all these are affected when calcium levels are abnormal. PTH (parathyroid hormone) acts so as to raise calcium levels, by increase bone breakdown (resorption) therefore releasing calcium in the blood, increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, or decreasing excretion of calcium by the kidney.

Hence less PTH produced ultimately means there is low calcium in the blood. Hence muscles are going to be affected, with hyperreflexia, muscular spasms, muscular cramps and a charecteristic carpopedal tremor, in which the hands and feet shake (doctors call this the trousseau sign.) Nerves are affected, and the patient feels pins and needles.

Causes vary, but are mainly as a complication of thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) due to overactivity of the gland such as in graves' disease. In this case, the surgeon removes the thyroid glands and unwantingly, removes the parathyroid glands, hence there is no parathyroid gland to secrete parathyroid hormone.

This is usually treated by oral calcium supplementation with vitamin D. The logic behind this is that Vitamin D stimulated calcium uptake in the intestine.

Resource : i'm a med student.