Download When parathyroid hormone is depleted, it can affect the whole you

Information about hypoparathyroidism
When parathyroid hormone
is depleted, it can affect
the whole you
If you have hypoparathyroidism,
talk with your doctor to have
a better understanding of the
disease and its management.
The more you tell your doctor about
your symptoms, the more you can do
together
Hypoparathyroidism can cause low blood calcium levels.
This can lead to other symptoms. You may not even think
they’re connected, but if you have any of the following
symptoms, let your doctor know right away.
Throat tightness
Shortness
of breath,
wheezing
Depression,
irritability,
confusion or
disorientation,
seizures
Fast, slow, or
uneven heart
rate, symptoms
of heart failure
Stomach
cramps
Muscle weakness,
spasms, twitches,
cramps
Numbness
and tingling
in fingers
and toes
Management goals for
hypoparathyroidism
• Preventing symptoms of low blood calcium
• Keeping your blood calcium level in the slightly below
normal or in the low normal range
• Keeping your blood calcium and phosphate levels
in balance
• Avoiding extra calcium in your urine and blood
• Keeping calcium from collecting in your kidneys
and other soft tissues
• Making sure you learn about possible complications
of blood calcium imbalance, such as low blood calcium
and high blood calcium, among others
Your doctor may recommend that you make
the following changes to your diet:
• If you have high blood phosphate levels, you may need
to reduce phosphate in your diet by avoiding carbonated
soft drinks and eating less eggs and meats
• If you have high urine calcium levels, you may need
to follow a low-salt diet
• To get enough calcium from your diet, you
should have dairy products, green leafy vegetables,
broccoli, kale, fortified orange juice, and breakfast cereals
Tests your doctor will perform to check that your
treatment is achieving these goals
Your doctor will want to keep an eye on your condition.
Certain tests should be done on a regular basis. You should
have the following tests at least once a year:
Blood tests to measure the levels of
calcium, phosphate, and magnesium
and how well your kidneys are working
24-hour urine collection to check
calcium levels and how well your
kidneys are working
If needed to monitor your condition, your doctor may
do these tests more than once a year. Periodically, your
doctor may also look for calcium deposits in your kidneys
or brain, check your eyes for cataracts, and measure your
bone density.
Control of hypoparathyroidism
can be challenging
• Patients often require very high doses of calcium and
active vitamin D to control hypoparathyroidism, which
can lead to concerns for potential complications
• Some people, despite taking very high amounts
of calcium and active vitamin D, can experience wide
swings in serum calcium
Things to consider when being managed
for hypoparathyroidism
If your hypoparathyroidism is not properly managed, you
may be experiencing the following signs or symptoms:
Poor control of blood calcium level
T he need for larger doses of supplements to control
your blood calcium level or prevent symptoms
E xtra calcium in your urine, kidney stones, buildup of
calcium salts in your kidneys, or poor kidney function
Phosphate or calcium-phosphate levels in your blood
that are out of balance
problem with your gastrointestinal system that
A
makes it hard to absorb calcium and vitamin D
Symptoms such as “brain fog,” depression, muscle
weakness, cramps, and shortness of breath
Talk to your doctor for more information
about your hypoparathyroidism
and visit hypoparathyroidism.com
© 2016 Shire. S16018 09/16
TM