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Hypo Thyroid Is M
Hypo Thyroid Is M
Managing Hypoparathyroidism
Whether your diagnosis of Hypoparathyroidism was because of a congenital or autoimmune disorder or acquired as a result of thyroid or other neck surgery it is a condition which is likely to be with you for the rest of your life. Learning to understand and deal with how Hypoparathyroidism affects you personally is the key to enabling you to live as normal as life as you can with the condition. Normally the parathyroid glands will automatically act to ensure that the calcium level in your blood is precisely controlled within a narrow normal range but in Hypoparathyroidism you do not have this automatic control, so with the help of your doctor you have to learn how to deal with and manage your own calcium needs. Physicians who understand Hypoparathyroidism prefer to maintain their patients calcium levels high enough so that they dont experience any of the physical symptoms associated with the disorder and as low as possible to help reduce the potential long term risks to their kidneys arising from calcium deposits or stones. To achieve this balance most doctors favour keeping blood serum calcium levels at the lower end of the normal laboratory range which in the USA is between 8.5 to 10.3 mg/dL and in the UK between 2.12 to 2.65 mmol/L and would prefer patients to limit their daily calcium intake to a maximum of about 2000 mg.
Remember everyones metabolism is uniquely different and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another even when they have the same medical condition and treatment regime. Normal is individually relative to you alone and your symptoms at that particular time. Your doctor will tailor your treatment regime to meet your specific calcium and vitamin D needs after consideration of your medical history, any current symptoms of Hypocalcemia and the results of laboratory blood and renal health test.
Educating yourself
Knowledge is the key to successfully understanding and managing Hypoparathyroidism
Finding credible and reliable information to help you understand and work with your doctor to manage your rare medical condition can be both time consuming and frustrating. The Hypoparathyroidism Association hopes to address this through their website. Founded by Jim Sanders, who together with his five sons are all fellow Hypoparathyroidism patients, the Hypoparathyroidism Association is totally dedicated to improving the lives of people with all forms of Hypoparathyroidism. The website not only offers a worldwide network of family support it also provides access to many articles or research written
by doctors or other medical professionals about Hypoparathyroidism and its treatment or management, as well as links to other websites maintained by medical organizations. The informative quarterly newsletter is written by the President of the association Jim Sanders with contributions from columnists and Hypoparathyroidism members from around the world.
access to occasional emergency care and fast track blood tests and laboratory results.
Hypoparathyroidism support
groups Having a rare condition like Hypoparathyroidism which requires a large amount of self-regulation and management can be very demanding and leave you and your family members feeling isolated and alone. You can make contact with others who have Hypoparathyroidism with online support groups. Here you can post questions or make a contribution to questions from others who need support. Many support groups have the benefit of advice from in house doctors or pharmacists who kindly offer their time and advice to members. HPTH Association forum: www.hpth.org HPTH International Support group: www.groups.yahoo.com HPTH UK forum: www.hypoparathyroidism.org.uk
How do I know if my calcium is high or low? The best way to recognise if your calcium levels are beginning to go out of balance is to learn to listen to your own body. Sometimes other conditions such as thyroid problems, stress or anxiety states or even normal everyday twinges or aches and pains can be similar to symptoms of falling calcium levels. By learning to listen to your own body and recognise how you feel on a good day when your calcium levels are stabilized and the difference in how you feel when your calcium levels are dropping can help you to recognize the symptoms early and avoid a calcium crash situation. Symptoms of Low Blood Calcium levels (Hypocalcemia) Tingling of the lips, fingers and feet. Muscles twitches or spasms Fatigue or weakness Irritability, mood swings, anxiety or depression Foggy brain or dizziness Symptoms in extreme Hypocalcemia can include Seizures Heart arrhythmias Severe muscle or laryngeal spasms Symptoms of High Blood Calcium levels (Hypercalcemia) This is called Hypercalcemia and occurs when the level of calcium in the blood is too high Headaches or dizziness Stomach ache, nausea or vomiting Extreme thirst A need to pass more urine than usual. Restlessness or confusion If you experience any of these symptoms you are advised to consult your own doctor for advice and to discuss a treatment plan in the event of any calcium emergency.
Keep your daily intake of calcium to below 2000mg daily if possible to help avoid any long term compromise of renal health. Divide your daily calcium intake into equal amounts of not more than 500mg each because it is better absorbed. If more calcium than this is taken at one time the body will be unable to use it all at once and it will be excreted in your urine which could compromise your renal health. Calcium is better absorbed if it is taken with meals Be aware of the content or ingredients in all foods and medicines such as over the counter vitamins or stomach medications as they may contain calcium or vitamin D which could adversely affect your calcium stability. High phosphorus is also a feature of Hypoparathyroidism so avoid food with high phosphorous content such as sodas or hot dogs and use milk sparingly.
Dietary Information Eat a wise and healthy diet. Monitor the amount of daily calcium you
are consuming from both food and tablets.
medication. Be aware of the recommended time span between taking doses of medications that conflict with calcium absorption or alternatively medications which calcium will bind to and prevent from being absorbed properly. These are notably, Thyroxine, Iron, Estrogens, diuretics or steroids. If in doubt seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
understood by the medical staff; have the words Hypocalcemia engraved on your medic alert item as opposed to the term Hypoparathyroidism, which is not so easily understood. Calcium Emergency plan As a matter of priority discuss with your doctor a plan of action for treatment in the case of any calcium emergency. Always carry some form of calcium and/ or vitamin D when you are away from home even for a short time.
This leaflet was prepared by Alice McGladdery in Northern Ireland for the Hypoparathyroidism Association Inc, with the acknowledged help and advice of Dr Simon Pearce, Consultant and Senior Lecturer, Clinical Endocrinology, Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and medical board advisor to HPTH UK. We would also like to acknowledge the help and advice in the final preparation, updated content and approval of the patient information leaflet content by the members of the Hypoparathyroidism Association Medical Advisory Board. Website References: www.parathyroid.com www.endotext.com www.patient.co.uk References: Various Hypoparathyroidism newsletters; Walker, B.E., Payne.R.B. (1979) Adjusted calcium conflict resolved? Journal of Clinical pathology (1979) 488-491. HPTH Association P.O. Box 2258 Idaho Falls, ID 83403 USA (866) 213-0394 (toll free) Email: hpth@hpth.org Website: www.hpth.org 2008 Hypoparathyroidism Association Inc.