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Hypoparathyroidism
Other Names for this Disease
- Hypoparathyroidism, idiopathic (subtype)
- Parathyroid, underactivity of
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Overview
Hypoparathyroidism is is an endocrine disorder in which the parathyroid glands in the neck do not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH). Common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, brittle nails, cataracts, dry hair and skin, muscle cramps, tetany, pain in the face, legs, and feet, seizures, tingling sensation, and weakened tooth enamel (in children). It may be caused by injury to the parathyroid glands (e.g., during surgery). Other causes, include low blood magnesium levels, a side effect of radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism, metabolic alkalosis, DiGeorge syndrome, and type I polyglandular autoimmune syndrome. The goal of treatment is to restore the calcium and mineral balance in the body.[1]
References
- Hypoparathyroidism. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000385.htm. Accessed March 10, 2011.
Your Questions Answered
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General Information
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) provides information related to the health of children, adults, and families. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
- Medscape Reference has three articles on this topic from the perspective of Endocrinology, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics. You may need to register to view the information online, but registration is free.
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge. Click on the link to read information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Hypoparathyroidism. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Hypoparathyroidism. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.