Hypoparathyroidism Treatment & Management
- Author: Joseph Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, MD, PhD, FACE; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD more...
Medical Care
- PTH is commercially available for use in the treatment of osteoporosis. Its use for patients with hypoparathyroidism is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Currently, treatment of patients with hypoparathyroidism involves correcting the hypocalcemia by administering calcium and vitamin D.[8]
Surgical Care
- Patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for parathyroid hyperplasia are at high risk of developing permanent primary hypoparathyroidism.
- Patients may be treated with an autotransplant of a segment of parathyroid gland to prevent hypoparathyroidism.[5] This autotransplant is usually placed subcutaneously in the forearm or in the neck.
- If the autotransplantation fails, patients receive the same treatment that is administered to other patients with hypoparathyroidism.
Consultations
An endocrinologist should be involved in the care of all patients who have primary hypoparathyroidism or who are at risk of developing it.
Diet
A diet rich in calcium content (ie, emphasizing dairy products) is recommended for patients with primary hypoparathyroidism.
Activity
Patients with symptomatic hypocalcemia develop tetany. Otherwise, no restriction in activity for these patients is necessary.
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