Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Hypoparathyroidism

Table of Contents

Symptoms
  • Abdominal pain
  • Brittle nails
  • Cataracts
  • Dry hair
  • Dry, scaly skin
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle spasms called tetany (can affect the larynx, causing breathing difficulties)
  • Pain in the face, legs, and feet
  • Seizures
  • Tingling lips, fingers, and toes
  • Weakened tooth enamel (in children)

Additional symptoms may include:

  • Decreased consciousness
  • Delayed or absent tooth formation
  • Hand or foot spasms
  • Painful menstruation

Signs and tests

Blood tests will be done to check calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and PTH levels. An ECG may show abnormal heart rhythms.

A urine test may be done to determine how much calcium is being removed from the body.


Review Date: 08/31/2010
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)