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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffHypoparathyroidism may result in any of a number of complications. The following complications are due to low calcium levels, and most may improve with adequate treatment:
- Tetany, which refers to cramp-like spasms of your hands and fingers, which may be prolonged and painful; muscle discomfort; and twitches or spasms of the muscles of your face, throat or arms. When these spasms occur in your throat, they could interfere with breathing, creating a possible emergency.
- Paresthesias, which are characterized by sensory symptoms consisting of odd, tingling sensations or pins and needles feelings of your lips, tongue, fingers and feet.
- Loss of consciousness, with convulsions (grand mal seizures).
- Malformation of the shape and size of the teeth.
- Impaired kidney function.
- Heart arrhythmias and fainting, even heart failure.
Other complications are associated with hypoparathyroidism, but will not improve with calcium and vitamin D treatment:
- Stunted growth (short stature)
- Slow mental development (or mental retardation) in children
- Calcium deposits in the brain
- Cataracts
- Hypoparathyroidism. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/hypoparathyroidism.cfm. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Shoback D. Hypoparathyroidism. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:391.
- Hueston WJ, et al. Endocrine disorders. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill/Lange; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3034534. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Fitzgerald PA. Endocrine disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14198. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Disorders of calcium concentration. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch156/ch156g.html. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp. Accessed March 8, 2009.
