Best practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of hypoparathyroidism

Abstract

Background: Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is characterized by low serum calcium due to insufficient parathyroid hormone (PTH). This manuscript builds upon the 2022 international HypoPT guidelines and three systematic reviews, which have been further informed by updated narrative reviews and expert consensus. This paper presents current best practice consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of HypoPT.

Methods: An International Panel of Experts updated the previous systematic reviews (SR's), conducted narrative reviews, developed, and subsequently approved these best practice recommendations at the Parathyroid Summit, held as a pre-Endocrine Society meeting in May 2024 (Boston, USA).

Results: Diagnostic criteria for chronic HypoPT require hypocalcemia with inappropriately normal or low PTH levels. Conventional therapy is recommended as first line therapy and includes calcium supplementation, active vitamin D, correction of vitamin D inadequacy and correction of abnormalities in serum magnesium. Monitoring is required to achieve optimal serum calcium while avoiding hyperphosphatemia, hypercalciuria and declines in renal function. Assessment of HypoPT complications is required including skeletal health assessment in postmenopausal women and men over the age of 50 years. Specific strategies are provided for managing HypoPT during pregnancy and lactation as well as in children. PTH replacement with palopegteriparatide has been approved and is an important therapeutic option, especially when conventional therapy is inadequate or not tolerated.

Conclusion: These best practice recommendations provide a framework for HypoPT diagnosis and management, emphasizing individualized care, role of DNA analysis in the diagnosis of nonsurgical HypoPT, and role of PTH or PTH analogue therapy as appropriate. They complement the 2022 international guidelines and incorporate updated therapeutic recommendations from the past 3 years including the positioning of the newly approved molecule palopegteriparatide based on recent clinical trial data and expert consensus.