Forest Ray PhD,  —

Assessing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in children after surgery to remove the thyroid gland, and beginning preventive therapy to those at high risk of hypocalcemia, increased safety and shorted their hospital stay, a study reported. Hypocalcemia, or potentially harmful low calcium levels, is a frequent complication of surgery to remove…

Being female, thyroid size, and having to undergo a second surgery are associated with the occurrence of short-term hypoparathyroidism following removal of the thyroid, according to a recent study. Risk factors for long-term hypoparathyroidism, the study also found, include thyroid size and low levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)…

Recovery of parathyroid function can take more than a year after thyroid gland removal, suggesting that longer follow-up periods could be needed to accurately diagnose permanent hypoparathyroidism, a study reported. Its researchers followed patients who didn’t quickly recover for an average of 28 months after surgery in making a determination.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted fast track designation to encaleret, an investigational therapy for autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 1, called ADH1, a rare genetic form of hypoparathyroidism. Encaleret is designed to help normalize the calcium levels of ADH1 patients by blocking the calcium-sensing receptor…

An interruption in the supply of Natpara 100 micrograms (mcg) could begin as early as this week and last for about one year, Takeda Pharmaceuticals announced in an open letter to the Hypoparathyroidism Association and to the broader hypoparathyroidism patient and healthcare community. “As part of…

Aeterna Zentaris has entered into a licensing agreement with the University of Sheffield  to develop a potential therapy for adults with primary hypoparathyroidism, according to a recent press release. The treatment candidate is based on parathyroid hormone (PTH) fusion polypeptides — chains of amino acids, the building blocks…

Routine use of Forteo (teriparatide), a synthetic parathyroid hormone fragment, appears unlikely to effectively substitute for calcium and vitamin D supplements among people with chronic hypoparathyroidism, according to the results of a Phase 3 trial. The findings were published in a study, “Chronic hypoparathyroidism and…

Entera Bio is developing a better formulation of EB612, its add-on therapy for maintaining normal blood calcium levels in people with hypoparathyroidism, and expects to launch a clinical trial next year. The biotechnology company shared its plans while announcing the publication of an earlier Phase 2a study of…

Low calcium should be considered as a cause for stridor — a harsh vibrating sound made while breathing — in patients who recently had their thyroid removed. Preserving blood supply to the thyroid’s neighboring parathyroid glands after thyroid removal surgery, called a thyroidectomy, can prevent cases of postoperative hypoparathyroidism,…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…