Full-body impact of low or missing PTH
Select parts of the body to learn more about the wide-reaching impact of low or missing PTH.
Not an actual patient.Role of PTH
PTH and symptoms
Low or missing PTH is not “fine”
Symptoms like nerve tingling, muscle weakness, brain fog, or fatigue are all connected to low or missing PARAthyroid hormone (PTH).
Hormones and minerals work together to keep your body working properly.
PTH is an essential hormone that controls the balance of 2 important minerals: calcium and phosphate.
Low or missing PTH disrupts the balance of calcium and phosphate so the body can’t perform certain functions (especially in the bones, kidneys, and intestines).
Chronic HypoPARAthyroidism (HypoPARA) may lead to many symptoms and serious health risks due to the lack of PTH and the low calcium caused by it.
Health risks from chronic HypoPARA
4x
more likely to have chronic kidney disease*
2.6x
greater risk of heart-related events†
* From a study looking back at health data from people in Sweden living with HypoPARA. During follow-up, 8.7% (136/1562) with HypoPARA developed chronic kidney disease compared with 2% (309/15,620) in control groups. All patients were taking calcitriol, and some were also taking calcium supplements.
† Based on a 5-year analysis of medical insurance claims (N=48,582). Heart-related events included 1 or more of the following: cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease.
Brain
Brain
Brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and depression
Did you know?
PTH receptors are present in the brain, so low or missing PTH can impair cognitive function and structurally change your brain.
Nervous system
Nervous system
Nerve tingling, numbness, pain, tetany, and seizures
Did you know?
When calcium levels drop from low or missing PTH, your nervous system can become overly sensitive and hyperactive, causing symptoms like tingling. This nerve excitability can lead to tetany, which involves painful muscle spasms and cramps.
Bones
Bones
Bone breaks and bone pain
Did you know?
PTH balances the normal bone-turnover process, which includes building and breaking down bones. When PTH is low or missing, it leads to overly dense bone that may be more likely to break in some areas of the body.
Kidneys
Kidneys
Kidney stones and kidney disease
Did you know?
Low or missing PTH prevents your kidneys from removing phosphate from the body and keeping calcium in the body. This imbalance, along with taking calcium and active vitamin D, can lead to serious issues like chronic kidney disease.
Risk of declining kidney function in chronic HypoPARA increases over time.
Body tissues
Body tissues
Calcium deposits in the brain, kidneys, eyes (cataracts), heart, and blood vessels
Did you know?
When PTH is missing, blood calcium drops but phosphate spikes. Taking calcium and active vitamin D can also cause calcium levels to spike. When calcium and phosphate go out of balance, hard calcium-phosphate crystals (calcifications) can form in places like the kidneys, eyes, or blood vessels.
Intestines
Intestines
Difficulty absorbing calcium
Did you know?
Without PTH, your kidneys are not able to make the active vitamin D that the intestines need to absorb calcium from your diet and oral supplements.
Heart
Heart
Abnormal heartbeat, heart calcifications, and heart disease
Did you know?
The lack of PTH results in low calcium that can cause the heart to beat abnormally (also known as arrhythmia). Lack of PTH, as well as taking calcium and active vitamin D, can cause calcifications in the heart itself and lead to heart disease.
Muscles
Muscles
Weakness, cramps, pain, stiffness, and spasms
Did you know?
Low or missing PTH causes low blood calcium, which can lead to cramps, stiffness, and other symptoms. If spasms occur in the muscles connected to breathing, they can be severe and life-threatening.
Immune system
Immune system
Increased risk of infection, such as upper respiratory infection and urinary tract infection, sometimes requiring emergency care
Did you know?
A shortage of PTH can compromise the immune system, which makes it harder for your body to naturally fight off infections.
