Signs and Symptoms of Hypoparathyroidism After Thyroid Surgery

The condition known as hypoparathyroidism can be genetic in nature but also occurs as the result of both intended surgical procedures and operations of the thyroid gland gone awry.

Significance

• Hypoparathyroidism occurs when insufficient amounts of parathyroid hormone are produced by the parathyroid glands. This hormone controls the amount of phosphorous and calcium in the blood.

Identification

• The condition is usually a genetic disorder but may also result from injury during thyroid surgery, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, but today's surgical techniques make this much less likely.

Symptoms

• Signs and symptoms of hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery include hair loss, dry skin, yeast infections, seizures, muscle spasms or cramps (typically in feet or hands), deformed nail growth, loss of memory, headaches, and a numbness or burning around the fingers or mouth.

Considerations

• Surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands is an extremely difficult procedure."The parathyroid glands have the most variable anatomy in the body," says Dr. James Norman of the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa. "The 'acceptable' rate of a surgeon causing hypoparathyroidism during an operation on the thyroid or parathyroid glands is about 1% or less."

Risk

• Risk factors include a family history of parathyroid disorders, thyroid or neck surgery, consumption of medications suppressing parathyroid glands, and surgery or removal of those glands.