Understanding Hypoparathyroidism
The Missing Hormone That Controls Calcium
Your parathyroid glands are four tiny structures behind your thyroid. Their job is to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) - the master regulator of calcium in your body. PTH tells your bones to release calcium, your kidneys to retain calcium and activate vitamin D, and your intestines to absorb more calcium from food.
In hypoparathyroidism, these glands don't produce enough PTH. Without it, calcium drops, phosphorus rises, and your body can't maintain the delicate balance that muscles, nerves, and your heart all depend on.
"Without PTH, your body can't properly regulate calcium no matter how many pills you take."
Most hypoparathyroidism results from thyroid or parathyroid surgery accidentally damaging or removing the glands. Less commonly, it's autoimmune or genetic. Standard treatment has been massive doses of calcium and vitamin D - which addresses symptoms but doesn't fix the underlying problem. PTH replacement actually restores the missing hormone.