How can hypoparathyroidism be prevented?

Answer 1

There is much dispute about ways to prevent hyperparathyroidism. The actual cause of the disease is absolutely and unequivoicably unknown. This is important to know before reading the following information. Also, your best resource for becoming educated on hyperparathyroidism is www.parathyroid.com as linked below. I know this because I was personally misdiagnosed for more than 20 years until I found that website.

Treatment

Nutritional Therapy

Limiting intake of soft drinks can help to prevent hyperparathyroidism. Soda drinks contain high levels of phosphorus. High phosphorus intake can cause hypocalcemia that leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism. In patients with hyperparathyroidism, forcing fluids and reducing intake of calcium-rich foods can help decrease calcium levels prior to surgery or if surgery is not necessary. These patients should not take any supplements that contain calcium without a doctor's approval.

Allopathic Treatment

Hyperparathyroidism cases will usually be referred to an endocrinologist, who is a physician specializing in hormonal problems, or a nephrologist, who specializes in kidney and mineral disorders.

Patients with mild cases of hyperparathyroidism may not need immediate treatment if they have only slight elevations in blood calcium level and normal kidneys and bones. These patients should be regularly checked, probably as often as every six months, by physical examination and measurement of kidney function and calcium levels. A bone densitometry-a test to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis or thinning of bones-measurement should be performed every one or two years. After several years with no worsened symptoms, the length of time between tests may be increased.

Patients with more advanced hyperparathyroidism usually will have all or half of the affected parathyroid gland or glands surgically removed. This surgery is relatively safe and effective. The primary risks are those associated with general anesthesia. There are some instances in which the surgery can be performed with the patient under regional, or cervical (neck) block, anesthesia. Often such studies as ultrasonography-a test with high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that are bounced off tissues and echoes are converted to pictures called sonograms-prior to surgery help pinpoint the affected areas.

Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism involves removing or treating the underlying cause. In 2004, a new drug therapy was shown to lower parathyroid levels and improve calcium and phosphorus function in patients receiving dialysis (a blood-purifying treatment often performed on people with kidney diseases) who had uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism. The drug, called cinacalcet, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people who have chronic kidney disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Source: http://www.answers.com/hyperparathyroidism?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3

The link below has the most recent, reliable, and accurate information on hyperparathyroidism.

Answer 2

There are no known prevention methods for hyperthyroidism, since its causes are either inherited or not completely understood.

Answer 3

There are no specific preventive measures for hypoparathyroidism. However, careful surgical techniques are critical to reduce the risk of damage to the gland during surgery.