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Vitamin D supplementation before total thyroid removal may reduce the frequency of permanent hypoparathyroidism after surgery, a clinical study suggests. However, as the difference compared with placebo was not statistically significant, future studies with more patients, more regular follow-ups, and biochemical results are needed to better understand this interaction,…

Rare Disease Day at NIH, organized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and taking place on March 1, will feature panel discussions, patient stories, research updates, TED-style talks, and a presentation by a Nobel laureate recently recognized for her work on a gene editing tool. The free, virtual…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

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,…

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

The presence of persistent hypoparathyroidism should prompt physicians to consider a possible diagnosis of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1), a rare genetic disorder, even in the absence of other typical symptoms, according to a case report. The study, “Hypoparathyroidism as the single major component for decades…

The case of a 71-year-old man with hypoparathyroidism and low calcium that was induced by the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was described in a recent study. This is the third reported instance of Keytruda-induced hypoparathyroidism, highlighting…

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…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…