What is hypoparathyroidism?

Hypoparathyroidism is caused by underactive parathyroid glands which, if left untreated, can cause low blood calcium and weak bones over time. In this video, endocrinologist Jack Merendino, MD, explains what causes hypoparathyroidism.

Transcript

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This results in a low blood calcium and tends to weaken the bones over time. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:11

Hypoparathyroidism is a relatively uncommon condition. And in fact, when you say hypoparathyroidism,

00:18

most people don't even know what you're talking about. They tend to think you're talking about the thyroid. But the parathyroid glands are four glands

00:27

that are situated close to the thyroid. That's why they're called parathyroid. And they make parathyroid hormone.

00:33

Parathyroid hormone, which is often called PTH, is a critical hormone to help keep blood calcium

00:40

levels normal and to help regulate the amount of calcium that's in bone. You can have an overactivity of the parathyroid glands, which

00:48

is hyperparathyroidism. Or you can have an under activity of the glands, which is hypoparathyroidism.

00:55

If you have hypoparathyroidism, then you're not making enough parathyroid hormone. This results in a low blood calcium

01:03

and tends to weaken the bones over time because you're not capable of depositing adequate amounts of calcium

01:09

in your bone. Most of the time, the problem is the result of thyroid surgery, which has inadvertently damaged

01:17

or removed all of the parathyroid tissue. But there is a situation in which the body's immune system is attacking and destroying the parathyroid glands as well.