What is the experience of our patients with transient hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy?

BACKGROUND: We sought to better understand the experience of patients with transient hypoparathyroidism using patient interviews and quality of life surveys. METHODS: This is a prospective analysis of 62 patients after total thyroidectomy at a high-volume institution. Semistructured patient interviews and quality of life surveys were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year and compared based on postoperative parathyroid hormone levels. RESULTS: Postoperative parathyroid hormone levels were <10 pg/mL in 32% of patients (n = 20), 10 to 20 pg/mL in 19% (n = 12), and >20 pg/mL in 48% (n = 30). Hypocalcemic symptoms at 2 weeks were reported in 28 of 55 patients (51%), but patients felt "well prepared" and reported it "wasn't a big deal." If symptoms persisted at 6 weeks, they became more bothersome. At 6 months and 1 year, patients reported calcium supplementation prevented most symptoms and did not interfere with daily activities. Quality of life as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the 12-Item Short Form Survey demonstrated a slight improvement at 1 year postoperatively regardless of parathyroid hormone level. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism is common but when appropriately managed did not have a substantial negative impact on the overall quality of life.

Depression as a manifestation of latent chronic hypoparathyroidism.

The exact cause of depression in cases of hypoparathyroidism is not known. We report the first case of an elderly patient with a long history of major depression as a complication of an undiagnosed chronic hypoparathyroidism following surgery on a parathyroid adenoma. Her depression was completely eliminated by calcium supplementation therapy to restore the calcium homeostasis in serum. As it is well known that disturbances in the endocrine hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid system might be consistent findings of depressive disorders concerning neuroendocrinological alterations, this case report and review of literature strongly supports our claim that also parathyroid diseases like chronic hypoparathyroidism, even in its latent form, might be a relevant factor in the development of depressive symptoms.

Hypocalcemia. Differential diagnosis and mechanisms.

There is much individual variability in the clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia. The rapidly of the development of hypocalcemia will determine whether or not symptoms will be present. Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia consisted of tetany (Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs), seizures, diminshed to absent deep tendon reflexes, papilledema, mental changes (weakness, fatigue, irritability, memory loss, confusion, delusion, hallucination), and skin changes. Etiologic factors for hypocalcemia in man include (1) decreased calcium absorption or increased loss from the gastrointestinal tract; (2) parathyroid hormone deficiency; (3) skeletal resistance to parathyroid hormone; (4) ineffective parathyroid hormone; (5) decreased production or increased degradation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; (6) increased complex formation with calcium; (7) increased skeletal uptake of calcium; (8) hypomagnesemic state; and (9) direct inhibition of bone resorption. Measurement of total and ionic calcium, magnesium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), and nephrogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate are especially helpful in the laboratory evaluation of the hypocalcemic patient.