Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is inadequate secretion or action of parathyroid hormone, disrupting calcium and phosphate regulation. It commonly causes low blood calcium and high blood phosphate.

Parathyroid hormone: A hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that raises blood calcium and helps regulate phosphate. Its inadequate secretion is the defining defect in most cases.
Postoperative hypoparathyroidism: Parathyroid hormone deficiency following surgery that damages or removes parathyroid tissue. Neck surgery, especially thyroid surgery, is a frequent cause of the disorder.
Calcium blood test: A laboratory measurement of calcium concentration in blood, interpreted as total or ionized calcium. Low calcium is a central laboratory clue and guides ongoing treatment.
Tetany: Involuntary muscle contractions and spasms caused by heightened nerve and muscle excitability. Marked hypocalcemia can trigger painful spasms and, in severe cases, seizures.
Hypocalcemia: An abnormally low concentration of calcium in the blood. Reduced parathyroid hormone commonly lowers blood calcium and drives many symptoms.
Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism: Parathyroid hormone deficiency caused by immune-mediated damage to the parathyroid glands. Autoimmune destruction can cause isolated disease or occur within a broader syndrome.
Parathyroid hormone test: A blood test measuring circulating parathyroid hormone concentration. A low or inappropriately normal result helps distinguish this disorder from other causes of hypocalcemia.
Seizure: A transient episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter movement, sensation, or awareness. Severe calcium deficiency can provoke seizures.
Hyperphosphatemia: An abnormally high concentration of phosphate in the blood. Reduced renal phosphate excretion commonly makes phosphate accumulate.
22q11.2 deletion syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by deletion of a segment of chromosome 22, with variable developmental and medical effects. Parathyroid underdevelopment in this syndrome can cause hypoparathyroidism.

Linked from 7 pages