Synonym
Medical: Hypoparathyroidism
Definition
Hypothyroidism (hypoparathyroidism) is a disease of the parathyroid gland that leads to a parathyroid hormone deficiency. This lack of parathyroid hormones leads to a lack of calcium throughout the body, which can cause neurological symptoms.
Ethiology
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is a surgically induced removal of the parathyroid glands during a partial or complete thyroidectomy. Less frequently, the parathyroid glands are damaged by radiation, autoimmune diseases or a long-term and severe magnesium deficiency.
Cause
Parathormone is a hormone produced in the parathyroid glands that regulates the calcium and phosphate balance. If the calcium level in the body is too high, parathyroid hormone is secreted in a reduced form (negative feedback), while a reduced calcium level leads to increased parathyroid hormone secretion. This, in turn, affects the breakdown and formation of bone and thereby regulates the release of calcium from the bone, or the incorporation of calcium into the bone. In case of hypoparathyroidism (hypothyroidism), this calcium metabolism can no longer be regulated. This results in a significant reduction of the calcium level in the blood, which then causes the clinical symptoms of calcium deficiency.
Symptoms
The symptoms of parathyroid hypothyroidism are characterized by massive calcium deficiency and elevated phosphate levels in the blood. Especially the calcium deficiency leads to clinical symptoms. Particularly tragic is a significantly increased susceptibility to cramping in the skeletal muscles or even in the entire body (epileptic seizures).
A typical symptom of parathyroid hypothyroidism is the so-called paw position of the hands, which is caused by cramps. In addition, a calcium deficiency leads to loss of sensitivity (paresthesia), hair loss, dry and brittle skin. Clinical signs of tetany are contractions of the facial musculature when the nervus facialis is stroked 1 to 2 cm in front of the earlobe (Chvostek’s sign), as well as the paw position of the hands when a blood pressure cuff is inflated via the systolic pressure (Trousseau’s sign).
