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Typically, it takes nearly three months before people newly diagnosed with chronic, post-surgical hypoparathyroidism arrive at a stable dose of calcium and vitamin D supplements, a study reported, rather than several weeks. But many patients in this study also experienced abnormally high or low calcium levels even after a stable dose…

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…

Some mutations in non-coding regions of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene change the function of the resulting protein and are associated with hypoparathyroidism, a study suggests. While mutations in non-coding regions — DNA sections that do not provide instructions to produce a protein — do not directly alter 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…

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)…

At its first virtual investor event, biotech company Centogene set a bold mission: to cure 100 rare diseases within the next decade. A leader in the field of genetic diagnostics, Centogene used the June 22 event to present its strategic priorities, outlining its plans to speed the discovery…

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.

To help patient advocacy leaders and their partners better understand how global health statistics codes — known as ICD codes — are assigned, updated, and revised in the U.S. health information system, the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is presenting a first-of-its-kind resource guide. The foundation created the…

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…

Those who wish to gain practical tools for living optimally with rare diseases are encouraged to attend the annual Living Rare Living Stronger Patient and Family Forum, hosted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and set this year for June 26-27. The conference brings together patients,…