What treatment is recommended for hypoparathyroidism?
Most patients require treatment with calcium and/or calcitriol or alfacalcidol. In some countries calcitriol or alfacalcidol but not both are available. This does not matter as either can be used to treat hypoparathyroidism. Calcium may be the only treatment required. The maximum recommended dose of elemental calcium is about 2000 mg daily in divided doses. In patients who develop hypocalcaemia after thyroid or parathyroid surgery it is common to start with calcium alone, as many patients only need it for a very short time. However, if patients continue to have symptoms or low blood levels of calcium it may be necessary to take calcitriol or alfacalcidol. Patients who have had parathyroid surgery for hyperparathyroidism may require both calcium and calcitriol or alfacalcidol for a few weeks or months following their surgery. If treatment with calcitriol or alfacalcidol is necessary it is usually advisable to stop taking calcium supplements if possible. This means increasing the dose of
