Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

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.

A 52-year-old woman with spine and hip pain related to hypoparathyroidism was wrongly diagnosed with spondyloarthritis (SpA) — a type of arthritis that affects the spine — leading to years of unnecessary anti-inflammatory use, a case study reported.  Its…

Greater fatigue in postoperative patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is associated with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy — a neurological impairment in heart rate control, a study suggests. The study, “Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy as a cause of fatigue in chronic hypoparathyroidism…