1. Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz
3. Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

In this Article

• What is hypoparathyroidism?
• What causes hypoparathyroidism?
• What are the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism?
• How is hypoparathyroidism treated?
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Hypoparathyroidism Index

The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is injury to the parathyroid glands, such as during head and neck surgery. Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands that are located in the neck behind the thyroid gland.

It other cases, hypoparathyroidism is present at birth or may be associated with an autoimmune disease that affects the parathyroids along with other glands in the body, such as the thyroid, ovaries, or adrenal glands.

Hypoparathyroidism is very rare. It is different from hyperparathyroidism, a much more common condition in which the body makes too much PTH.

Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism may include:

• Tingling in the lips, fingers, and toes
  
  
• Dry hair, brittle nails, and dry, coarse skin
  
  
• Muscle cramps and pain in the face, hands, legs, and feet
  
  
• Cataracts on the eyes
  
  
• Malformations of the teeth, including weakened tooth enamel and misshapen roots of the teeth
  
  
• Loss of memory
  
  
• Headaches
  
  
• Severe muscle spasms (also called tetany) and convulsions