News

Long-term treatment of hypoparathyroidism with Forteo (teriparatide), a lab-made version of the parathyroid hormone, was safe and reduced the need for supplemental therapies in what researchers describe as the first case of the condition in a child with Jacobsen syndrome (JS). The report,…

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a type of immune therapy used to treat some cancers, may lead to the development of immune-related hypoparathyroidism, according to a case report. Although rare, this case adds to three other similar cases and to an increasing number of reports describing immune-related hormone diseases…

To empower and equip members of the rare disease community to engage state leaders in matters of importance to patients and their families, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has launched an initiative across the U.S. Its goal is to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)…

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, “…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

The specific surgical procedures used when patients undergo thyroid surgery —  known as thyroidectomy — dictate the risks they have of developing hypoparathyroidism and other complications, a study found. Because this type of surgery is associated with a high risk of complications and requires specialized care, it should…

Leaders in the U.S. rare disease community came together recently for a webinar to present helpful information on how to start a nonprofit and patient registry. They shared about how their respective organizations came to be, as well as the benefits of creating patient registries and how they can help…

People with hypoparathyroidism who wish to undergo weight-loss surgery should consider possible difficulties in maintaining calcium levels within a normal range before undergoing the procedure. The case report with that finding, “The challenges of post-bariatric surgery hypocalcaemia in pre-existing hypoparathyroidism,” was published in the journal…

Central lymph node dissection (CLND), or the removal of lymph nodes in the neck, increases the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism in people with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who are treated by total thyroidectomy — surgery to remove the thyroid gland —…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations and research programs to help people with rare diseases. “The RareLaunch program is central to NORD’s mission and history — community…