Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

About one in five adults with hypoparathyroidism had impaired kidney function, according to a study based on real-life data. Ultrasounds also revealed calcium deposits in the kidneys of 10% of patients, which were predicted by low phosphate in the bloodstream and longer disease duration. The deposits didn’t appear to…

Ascendis Pharma will request to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an effort to gain approval of TransCon PTH, its experimental hormone replacement therapy for hypoparathyroidism. “Based on our clinical experience with TransCon PTH to date, we have seen the improvement in the…

Using near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) to protect the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery did not significantly lower the risk of hypoparathyroidism as a surgical complication, a study with experienced thyroid surgeons reported. Although there were fewer hypoparathyroidism cases with NIRAF three months after surgery, differences  were not statistically significant when compared…

Transplanting parathyroid gland cells into the forearms of a hypoparathyroidism rat model restored hormone and calcium levels, a study reported. These findings support further developing a parathyroid cell transplant for people with hypoparathyroidism caused by the removal of the parathyroid glands, the scientists said.

TransCon PTH normalized calcium levels in the blood and urine of adults with hypoparathyroidism and eliminated the need for vitamin D supplements and high doses of calcium, according to more than 1.5 years of trial data. This data — 84 weeks’ worth in all — came from the…

People with chronic hypoparathyroidism have a higher risk of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels — known as cardiovascular disease — compared with those without the rare endocrine system disorder, according to a large-scale analysis of a medical claims database. “Further studies are warranted to investigate reasons for…

In people with hypoparathyroidism caused by thyroid gland removal, the combined levels of magnesium and phosphorus in the blood best predicted the short-term return to normal parathyroid function, a study reported. Short term was defined by its researchers as a return to normal within 30 days of a thyroidectomy (surgical…

Levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) accurately predicted hypoparathyroidism-related calcium deficiency following surgery to remove the thyroid gland, a study reported.  A PTH cut-off value was established to identify those at risk, who were started on calcium and vitamin D supplements. Such prompt treatment eased symptoms…

People with chronic hypoparathyroidism not controlled by conventional therapy may experience a substantial burden of illness and impaired quality of life, mostly due to persistent symptoms and multiple co-existing conditions.  That finding comes from a survey-based study of attending physicians, “…

Calcium deposits in the carotid arteries and brain are more common in people with permanent hypoparathyroidism who underwent thyroid removal surgery than in the general population, a study reports.  As such, calcifications should be monitored in this patient population, researchers said.