What is hypoparathyroidism?

MANILA, Philippines - Hypoparathyroidism, an illness that reportedly afflicts former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, prevents the proper metabolism of calcium and healing of bones.

Among its causes is trauma to the parathyroid glands during neck surgery, which Arroyo underwent recently.

The affliction is defined in the website Medline Plus as “an endocrine disorder in which the parathyroid glands in the neck do not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH).”

The hormone is described as a protein hormone released by the parathyroid gland to regulate the level of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D levels in the blood and bone.

Medline Plus is a service of the US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health.

The parathyroid glands, it said, help control calcium use and removal by the body.

Hypoparathyroidism occurs when the glands produce too little PTH, causing blood calcium levels to fall, and phosphorus levels to rise.

Medline Plus cites injury to the parathyroid glands during head and neck surgery as the most common cause of hypoparathyroidism.

Medline Plus added that on rare instances, hypoparathyroidism is a side effect of radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism.

The condition may also be caused by low blood magnesium levels and metabolic alkalosis.

Its symptoms include abdominal pain; brittle nails; dry hair; cataracts; dry and scaly skin; muscle cramps; muscle spasms called tetany that can affect the larynx, causing breathing difficulties; pain in the face, legs and feet; seizures; tingling lips, fingers and toes and weakened tooth enamel in children.

“The goal of treatment is to restore the calcium and mineral balance in the body. Treatment involves calcium carbonate and vitamin D supplements, which usually must be taken for life.

A high-calcium, low-phosphorous diet is also recommended.