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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThere are no specific actions you can take to prevent hypoparathyroidism. However, if you're scheduled to have thyroid or neck surgery, talk to your surgeon for assurance that steps will be taken to avoid damage to your parathyroid glands during the procedure.
If you've had surgery involving your thyroid or neck, be alert for signs and symptoms that could indicate hypoparathyroidism, such as a tingling or burning sensation in your fingers, toes or lips, or muscle twitching or cramping. When they occur, your doctor may recommend prompt treatment with calcium and vitamin D to minimize the seriousness of the disorder.
References
- Hypoparathyroidism. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/hypoparathyroidism.cfm. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
- Goltzman D. Treatment of hypocalcemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Fitzgerald PA. Endocrine disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011. 50th ed. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14198. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
- Disorders of calcium concentration. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch156/ch156g.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
- Shoback D. Hypoparathyroidism. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:391.
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