News

Having a greater than 65% drop in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels on the first day after a total thyroid removal increases the likelihood of developing transient calcium deficiency, or hypocalcemia, according to a single-center study in China. People with hypocalcemia have lower than normal levels in their blood…

TransCon PTH, an investigational therapy being developed by Ascendis Pharma, safely normalized calcium and phosphate levels, and reduced the need for other treatments in adults with hypoparathyroidism, data from the PaTH Forward Phase 2 trial demonstrate. The data were presented by Ascendis…

Same But Different, a U.K. nonprofit that uses the arts to bring communities together, is holding a calendar photography competition to raise awareness for rare diseases. Under the theme “A Glimmer of Hope,” the competition is a means to “visually express the hope that exists for people affected by…

A novel approach for the production of parathyroid-like cells from stem cells — cells from which all others with specialized functions are generated — could help find new treatments for hypoparathyroidism, a study suggests. The study, “Differentiation of parathyroid hormone expressing cells from human pluripotent…

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) recently launched Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy, recognizing two researchers with awards for their work in hypoparathyroidism-associated bone changes and pregnancy outcomes. The awards, intended to recognize research excellence among young scientists in the field of rare bone disorders, were announced recently during…

Raremark, an online rare disease patient community, has launched a digital platform called Xperiome, aimed at streamlining the search for new medicines for rare disorders and incorporating more patient input into research. The goal is to help the pharmaceutical industry deliver innovative new therapies faster and smarter, the…

Thyroid cancer, central neck surgery and the incidental removal of parathyroid tissue raise the risk for hypoparathyroidism in children after total thyroid removal, according to a study. Yet, the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism is low. The study, “Postoperative Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children,” was…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has launched a scholarship fund in the U.S. to support individuals with rare disorders who are pursuing personal goals through training and education. The initial phase of the five-year, $1-million #RAREis Scholarship Fund will include 32 scholarships — each totaling $5,000 —…

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of a rare disease film festival originally slated for May, its organizers set out to find a new way to bring the films to an audience.  Co-founders Daniel DeFabio and Bo Bigelow, who are both fathers of children with…

While people with hypoparathyroidism receiving conventional treatment with supplements experience significant declines in kidney function over time, the replacement therapy Natpara appears to preserve kidney function in the long-term, a five-year analysis shows. The study, “5-Year Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients with Hypoparathyroidism Treated…